Is Your HiLux Next?

I raised the issue of the new "baby" Land Cruiser FJ – a vehicle Australians would love. It’s compact, attractive, and fits our lifestyle. Yet, we are hearing that it won't be coming to Australia because it can't meet the new emissions regulations. The government promised "more choice" and instead, we are seeing the death of the affordable petrol and diesel vehicles people actually want. If they’ve already killed the baby Land Cruiser, surely the HiLux is next on the chopping block. I also questioned the department regarding BYD and the way these "credits" are being handed out. It’s a disgrace! The department confirmed that a company like BYD gets credits just for putting a vehicle on the Register of Approved Vehicles, not for actually selling it to a customer. They can park these cars in a warehouse, collect thousands of dollars in credits per vehicle (over $7,000 for a Sealion 7) and then sell those credits to other carmakers who produce "normal" cars. I asked directly if the department is concerned that this policy is funnelling money into corporations controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. They admitted this hasn’t been raised with the Minister. The department claims they might look at changing the scheme to a "point-of-sale" trigger in a 2026 review, however for now, the system is wide open for exploitation. This is what happens when you build a system based on global targets instead of the actual needs of the Australian people. It robs citizens of affordable, reliable transport while enriching foreign entities. My position on this remains clear: the government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is strangling the choices available to everyday Australians. — Senate Estimates | December 2025 Transcript: https://www.malcolmrobertsqld.com.au/is-your-hilux-next/