The Hook Turn Podcast

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Chery going berserk by bringing in 9(!) total brands to the already oversaturated Aussie market by mid-2027. Will brands like 'Exlantix' really have any staying power, or will your friends laugh when you told them that you bought something that sounds like cough syrup from Chemist's Warehouse?
Meanwhile, we know that Alfa Romeo is a fickle mistress that has seduced us many times, but we're hoping its latest concept won't turn us into spurned lovers. We examine whether it can really make production.
Finally, AI is increasingly being used for vehicle engineering, and we cover off on news that GM is the latest customer. Can it really replace a human touch?
Show notes:
- Crazy Chery: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/chery-defends-enormous-brand-expansion-in-australia-says-some-wont-chase-big-sales
- Alfa Romeo: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/concept/stop-press-theres-a-gorgeous-new-v6-alfa-romeo-and-its-cuorerosso
- GM AI use: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/gm-says-ai-is-halving-the-time-it-takes-to-develop-a-new-car

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Tesla's latest iteration of the Roadster - their vapourware supercar. Can this one really be put on the road? We also cover Citroën's new interpretation of their iconic 2CV, reimagined for affordable EV motoring, and then take a different tack with the Porsche Mission S, which could come with a very unique Boxer (flat) style 8-cylinder engine.
Show notes:
- Tesla Roadster: https://daringfireball.net/2026/10/real_artists_ship_tesla_edition
- Citroën 2CV: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/citroen-2cv-revived-as-budget-ev-steeped-in-nostalgia
- Porsche Mission S: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/stunning-mission-s-previews-mid-engined-porsche/51793

We have criticised Jaguar a lot for their controversial (to say the least) rebranding. In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we gladly eat humble pie following the reveal of the all new Type 01. We also cover an entirely new car brand, Ceer, from Saudi Arabia, and do the first ever Autotrader UK challenge, looking at people movers under £15k.
Show notes:
- Jaguar Type 01: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C09gp5ioryw
- Ceer: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/ceer-exobot-sedan-and-suv-are-saudi-arabias-first-locally-made-evs

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss whether Bentley's new Torcal is a Porsche in fancy clothing, or really something special befitting the Bentley brand. We also cover a very, very attractively priced new SUV from Xpeng that comes in both battery-electric (BEV) and relatively unique EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) flavours. Finally, we touch on whether MG's new U9 EV ute has the chops to take on the HiLux BEV with its 3.5 tonne braked towing capacity.
Show notes:
- Bentley Torcal: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2027-bentley-torcal-british-brands-first-ev-revealed-with-porsche-dna
- Xpeng L03: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2027-xpeng-l03-mid-size-suv-priced-from-under-dollar42000-with-ev-and-erev-options
- MG U9 EV ute: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2027-mg-u9-ev-price-and-specs-electric-ute-launches-for-78990/

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, competition is really heating up in the EV space as the Chinese OEMs undercut each other on price. The latest strike? BYD reducing the price of its Atto 1 to $19,990 drive away, which apart from recalling a sticker price from about 20 years ago, not only makes it Australia's cheapest EV, but Australia's cheapest new car, full stop. We discuss whether it's good value even at this low price.
We also cover off Sanbib's visit to the Everything Electric motor show, and some additional electrified news from VW and Volvo.
Show notes:
-BYD Atto 1 Essential: https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/byd-atto-1-is-australias-cheapest-new-car-153017/
-VW ID. 3 GTI: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/volkswagen-id3-spawns-the-first-rear-wheel-drive-gti
-Volvo XC60 and XC90 PHEV: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2027-volvo-xc60-facelift-revealed-with-longer-range-phev-xc90-too/