Price gouging is everywhere, on everything, all at once
Leading economist Allan Fels says a lack of competition and exploitative practices are just a few reasons why Australia needs to look more closely at prices.
consumer goods
Aussie motorists show a big preference for big cars
SUVs and utes dominated new car sales in January, according to a new report, dwarfing passenger and electric vehicle sales.
Solar battery faces compulsory recall after house fires
Australia's consumer watchdog is weighing up whether to issue a compulsory recall for an LG solar battery after 13 fires, including one that destroyed a house.
consumer goods
diesel fuel
energy (general)
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Car buyers urged to sort the thrifty from the thirsty
A huge difference between the most and least efficient cars has been shown in a study of more than 650 models with some guzzling almost $4000 in fuel each year.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Car manufacturers pull up short on emission estimates
Automakers are still failing to accurately report their greenhouse gas emissions, a new analysis warns, and some brands fall well short of the target.
Godfreys enters administration, with 54 stores to close
Voluntary administrators expect 171 Godfreys staff in Australia will be made redundant as the company's store count is reduced by more than a third.
Major automaker recalls electric cars due to fire risk
A recall has been issued for more than 200 electric vehicles after Audi discovered an issue with their batteries that could increase the risk of a fire.
Supermarket prices under gaze of consumer watchdog
Supermarket giants are accused of price gouging on fruit, vegetables and meat and the consumer watchdog will use its "full legal powers" to investigate.
Supermarkets under scrutiny over food costs
Queensland Premier Steven Miles is set to meet supermarket bosses over the rising cost of groceries.
Supermarkets to face inquiry over grocery prices
Major supermarkets are set to face a Queensland parliamentary inquiry following a meeting with state premier Steven Miles.
consumer goods
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Electric car charging stations tipped to double again
Another 900 electric car-charging locations are tipped to appear in Australia during 2024 to encourage motorists to adopt low-emission transport.
Top-selling Tesla misses safety mark in Australia
The second most popular electric car sold in Australia could face a recall after it failed to secure a five-star safety rating.
Electric vehicle shipping problems cause a real stink
Thousands of Australian motorists are still waiting to receive electric cars after a new quarantine issue at the border caused by an unexpected pest.
Need ChatGPT in the car? Crazy vehicle tech at CES 2024
From cars driven by game controllers to vans you can turn into utes, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is giving a preview of an unusual future.
air pollution
consumer goods
consumer issue - macro economics
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Efficient cars can cut hundreds from popular road trips
Picking a fuel-efficient car for your next domestic holiday could save you hundreds of dollars, and electric vehicles will save the most, research shows.
Household solar installations charged ahead in 2023
Australian households have set a new record for solar investments, with a new report revealing rising electricity prices encouraged more to make the switch.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
New leader in the race for cheapest electric vehicle
The race to deliver Australia's most affordable electric car has roared to life again, with one manufacturer offering a significant discount to win the title.
Inflation to eat into Christmas lunches, presents: poll
Christmas will be less merry than usual for many Australians, with a union poll showing a sizeable number of people plan to spend less on lunch and presents.
Electric car show returning to Australia, twice as big
Double the number of electric vehicle makers will be racing into Sydney in 2024 after demand for the low-emission rides tripled.
Electric Kombi, Jeep and sports cars to shake up 2024
Major brands are preparing to launch electric cars in Australia for the first time, in a move experts say will see some motorists question their brand loyalty.
Farmer urges rural Aussies to consider electric cars
A farmer in Western Australia says more people in the outback should considering buying an electric vehicle to unlock fuel savings.
auto trends
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Electric cars reach tipping point, could double in 2024
Experts predict electric vehicle purchases could double again next year after Australia's public charging network surged by 70 per cent in 2023.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
EV exodus: thousands of owners to hit the road for Xmas
Australia could see twice as many electric cars hit the road this holiday season and experts are urging drivers to plan ahead to avoid charging queues.
Toyota hybrid SUV recalled over fuel consumption rules
Auto manufacturer Toyota will fit new tyres on hundreds of Yaris hybrid vehicles in a recall over claims about fuel consumption.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy (general)
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Electric car charging provider wins $250 million boost
Expect to see more electric vehicle chargers on the street and in households after a significant investment in a Sydney charging firm.
consumer goods
consumer issue - macro economics
consumers
economic policy
economy (general)
road transport
transport
Transport costs accelerate by more than $900 a year
Households in some parts of Australia are paying more than $27,000 a year for transport after costs in the industry rose again.
Faulty batteries could cause fatalities this Christmas
Safety experts have called on Christmas shoppers to choose e-bikes and e-scooters carefully after a growing number of lithium-ion battery fires.
auto trends
budgets and budgeting
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Cars will need to be twice as green to avoid luxury tax
High-end vehicles will need to become more fuel-efficient to avoid a 33 per cent tax under changes in a federal budget update.
Mitsubishi cleared of breaking law in gas-guzzling case
A four-year court battle over new car fuel consumption labels has been resolved in the High Court, with Mitsubishi emerging as the winner.
Not fit for purpose: Fitbit fined $11m for false claims
Australia's Federal Court has issued Fitbit with an $11 million penalty for making misleading claims to customers who complained about faulty devices.
Car sales break records but industry warns of slow down
Australians have broken new car sales records again but experts are warning the 'extraordinary' trend may not continue as the cost of living bites.