Daily Drive: China’s next Aussie push, Ford’s EV wobble, manuals seduce hypercar moguls, and should Max do the ’Ring?

Some mornings feel like a traffic circle with no exit: EVs looping, hybrids merging, heritage models cutting across three lanes without indicating. Today is that blend—Australia’s forecourt is about to get busier (again), Ford’s European EV play hits a pothole, three industry heavy-hitters remind us why manuals still matter, and Autosport stirs the pot with a sensible idea for Verstappen. Grab a coffee. Short, sharp, and useful—promise.

Australia watch: Geely prices its PHEV, another Chinese EV inches closer, and MG 3’s safety storm

2026 Geely Starray EM-i: PHEV SUV priced for Australia

CarExpert reports Geely has put a number on the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid for Australia, which tells you two things. One: it’s coming. Two: it’s positioning itself as the practical middle lane between pure EV crossovers and fuel-sipping petrol hybrids. I haven’t driven the Starray yet, but I’ve spent a lot of seat time in its Geely Group cousins, and they tend to ride well on coarse-chip bitumen and pack slick hybrid handoffs at city speeds.

• PHEV flexibility: weekday electric commuting, weekend country range minus fast-charger anxiety.
• Likely rivals on Aussie shopping lists: Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Haval Jolion Hybrid, BYD Atto 3 (if you’re EV-curious).
• What I’ll be looking for: consistent brake feel (PHEVs can be grabby), neat cable storage, and a cabin interface you don’t need a degree to decipher.

Another Chinese EV SUV edges closer to Aussie showrooms

Also via CarExpert, yet another Chinese brand has cleared a key step toward Australian sales, and—surprise—it’s an electric SUV. We’ve seen this movie: homologation boxes ticked, a local distributor announced, then demo cars whisked into rental fleets and influencer feeds. If the newcomer wants to stick, it’ll need sharp pricing, a warranty you can frame, and suspension tuning that doesn’t come apart on sun-baked rural tarmac. When I’ve sampled recent Chinese SUVs on rough regional roads, the best of them feel tidy and quiet; the weaker ones crash over expansion joints and whistle at highway speeds. The difference is night-and-day—and make-or-break for word of mouth.

MG 3 “critical safety failure” raises questions about testing

CarExpert’s piece on a “critical safety failure” tied to the MG 3 shines a light on something we don’t talk about enough: how safety tests translate to the real world. The MG 3’s value case has always been obvious—cheap to buy, cheap to run—but Australian buyers are getting savvier about active safety and structural performance. I’m not here to litigate lab specifics, but two things remain true: small cars have the least real estate to manage crash energy, and test protocols are only as useful as their ability to predict real-world outcomes. If you’re shopping one, ask your dealer about the exact spec’s safety gear, and cross-check independent crash data where available before you sign.

Europe’s EV speed bump: Ford’s VW-based crossovers underperform

Carscoops reports Ford’s MEB-based EVs in Europe—the Explorer EV, with Capri EV waiting in the wings—aren’t hitting targets, prompting production and job cuts. Having driven a spread of MEB machinery around Europe, I get the challenge. The hardware is competent, but buyers are unforgiving when price, charging speed, and software polish don’t line up against Model Y and a swarm of aggressive Chinese entrants.

• Lesson one: You can’t premium-price a mid-pack experience, not in 2025’s Europe.
• Lesson two: Software UX matters as much as steering feel. If the nav lags or the app flakes, families will bail.
• Lesson three: Dealer and charging ecosystems sell EVs as much as kWh and kilowatts.

Ford’s ace remains chassis tuning; when I sampled its latest EU-market setups on broken urban streets, they felt more composed than most. But the market wants numbers (range, charging speed) and numbers sell brochures. Expect Ford to pivot hard on value, features, and perhaps localized battery strategies to regain momentum.

Manuals, megawatts, and why feel still wins

From the “I wish I’d been there” file: Carscoops relays that Mate Rimac, Christian von Koenigsegg, and Singer’s Rob Dickinson swapped cars and grins, with Rimac especially smitten by the visceral pull of a good manual. Hard to blame him. The Rimac Nevera is a jaw-splitting 1914-hp lightning strike, the kind of car that rearranges your inner ear on a damp autobahn. But a crisp six-speed in a Singer, or Koenigsegg’s freaky-smart manual in the CC850, talks to you—through your fingertips, your calf muscle, your spine. Different religions; same cathedral.

I’ve had EVs thrill me on-ramps and leave me cold on empty B-roads. And I’ve had a modest 200-hp manual hatch make a Tuesday night feel like a secret. The takeaway isn’t EV vs. ICE—it’s that engagement still matters. If industry titans jump out of megawatt missiles raving about third-gear corners, the message lands across every price point: make cars feel alive.

The ’Ring 24H for Max? Yes, please.

Autosport makes the case that Verstappen doing the Nürburgring 24 Hours would be good for everyone. Agreed. A 24-hour tilt on the 20.8km Nordschleife is a different baptism: traffic management, darkness, fatigue, weather roulette. It hones empathy for what endurance pros do and broadcasts F1’s relevance to the wider car world in a way no simulator stream can. Think Alonso with the WEC halo; think rally crossovers turbocharging a driver’s legend. For Max, it’s an experience multiplier. For fans, it’s a reason to stay up at 3 a.m. with too much espresso and timing screens burning into the retinas.

Industry quick takes: Renault, Gen Z, and the return of the van-that’s-really-a-car

Autocar’s “My Week in Cars” drops three nuggets: leadership shuffle at Renault, a reminder that young people still care about cars (surprise—make them good and attainable), and the Berlingo back in the spotlight. The latter tells me the honest MPV refuses to die. When I ferry bikes, dogs, and a skittish IKEA flat-pack home, a squared-off tail and big glass beat a swoopy roofline every time. Substance sells, especially in a cost-of-living crunch.

What to watch next

• Geely’s local drive program for Starray EM-i—charging real-world range and ride comfort will decide the verdict.
• Ford’s response on pricing/packaging for Explorer EV—expect a sharper spec walk and software updates.
• MG 3 safety clarification—independent testing consistency and equipment transparency are key.
• Which Chinese brand lands next—after-sales footprint and parts pipelines matter more than launch fanfare.

Conclusion

Today’s theme is simple: feel and fundamentals. Whether it’s a PHEV tuned for Aussie roads, an EV that needs better value, or a manual gearbox reminding billionaires why they fell in love with cars, the winners are the ones that connect. And if Verstappen fancies a night stint at the Carousel, we’ll bring the coffee.

FAQ

When is the Geely Starray EM-i arriving in Australia?

CarExpert reports pricing is set, which typically precedes local launch by a short runway. Expect first customer cars once dealer stock and demo fleets are in place.

What’s going on with Ford’s VW-based EVs in Europe?

According to reporting, sales are underperforming expectations, prompting production and job cuts. The likely fixes: keener pricing, faster charging updates, and tighter software.

Should I be worried about MG 3 safety?

The recent “critical safety failure” headline puts scrutiny on testing and equipment. If you’re shopping one, confirm the exact safety spec on your trim and check independent crash data where available.

Why are industry leaders raving about manuals?

Because feel matters. A good manual engages in ways EVs and automatics often don’t—though the best EVs still thrill. The Rimac Nevera may have 1914 hp, but a perfect heel-and-toe in a Singer can be just as satisfying.

Would Verstappen at the Nürburgring 24H help F1?

Yes. It showcases driver versatility, connects F1 to broader motorsport culture, and brings fresh eyeballs to both series. It’s good for Max, and good for the sport.