Handler

The showroom question worth asking before you sign. Today at 3:25 PM 0 Replies Walk into a dealership strip today and the badges keep multiplying. New brands, sharp prices, long warranties and screens galore. But once the novelty wears off, one question can matter far more than the sticker price: Who will look after the car when something goes wrong? Australia has more car brands than ever, but dealership owner Mark Beitz warns the market cannot sustain them all. The brands that invest in servicing, parts supply and aftersales support will survive; the rest may not. Here is what to check before you buy. Photo by Iain on Unsplash Chinese-owned brands have grown from 9.0 per cent of the Australian new-car market to 25.8 per cent in just four years. The number of Chinese-brand models on sale could rise from about 72 in 2026 to around 120 in 2027. That gives buyers more choice than ever, but it also makes after-sales support worth checking before you sign. You May Like Articles you might like. Start with the service network. A cheap car can become far less convenient if the nearest authorised service centre is hours away. It is also a problem if a replacement part takes weeks to arrive. Mark Beitz, owner of Bartons Motor Group, told Drive that Australia's current number of car brands is unlikely to remain sustainable without some consolidation. His view is that price alone will not decide which brands thrive. As product quality improves across the market, aftersales support becomes a much bigger point of difference. That means service centres, parts supply and trained staff. Before buying an unfamiliar badge, would you be comfortable if the nearest authorised service centre were an hour or more away? That is the sort of question worth asking while you are still in the showroom. Parts matter just as much. Some newer brands are investing heavily in the problem. XPeng operates a genuine-parts warehouse in Melbourne in partnership with FedEx. It says it can offer next-day delivery across major states, with faster delivery possible in some areas. The company also says it plans to grow to as many as 50 sales outlets. The goal is to put most Australian customers within a 40-minute drive of a showroom. Its independent-repair access is still developing. XPeng is working with the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority to complete its onboarding under the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme. Once finalised, eligible independent mechanics will be able to access the service and repair information covered by the scheme. BYD is expanding too. It now has more than 100 sales and service locations nationally. It has invested in larger parts and servicing networks, while acknowledging that service wait times have been an area needing improvement. What right to repair actually gives you. Australia's right-to-repair scheme gives owners more choice. Manufacturers and importers must make eligible service and repair information available to independent repairers. This can make it easier for workshops outside the dealer network to work on newer vehicles. But it does not make dealer coverage irrelevant. Independent repairers still need the equipment, training and willingness to work on a particular model. Warranty work may also need to go through an authorised network. Right-to-repair laws do not guarantee that a replacement part will be sitting locally on a shelf. Australian Consumer Law provides another layer of protection. Manufacturers and importers must make spare parts and repair facilities available for a reasonable time after purchase. That is useful reassurance, but it still pays to ask how the system works in practice before buying. Five questions worth asking. Before committing to a newer brand, ask the dealer: * Where is the nearest authorised service centre? * Where are parts stocked in Australia? * How long do common replacement parts usually take to arrive? * Can independent mechanics access the technical information needed to service the car? * How are warranty repairs handled if you live a long way from the dealer? A long warranty can look excellent on paper, but the practical value depends on how easily you can actually use it. The established brands are under pressure too. The rapid growth of newer brands is adding pressure to familiar manufacturers. Chinese competition is not the only reason sales rise or fall; product cycles, supply, pricing and model changes all play a part. Around August 2026, Subaru's year-to-date Australian sales were down about 27.5 per cent. Mitsubishi was down around 29 per cent. Mitsubishi has nevertheless attracted significant early interest in its next-generation Pajero. More than 7,000 Australians registered interest after order books opened in early September. Beitz expects familiar names such as Nissan, Subaru and Mitsubishi to remain in Australia. They will likely operate with leaner dealership footprints concentrated in stronger locations. Key takeaways. * Before buying a newer brand, check the nearest service centre, parts supply and warranty process, not just the purchase price. * Right-to-repair laws improve independent access to service information, but they do not guarantee nearby expertise, quick parts or convenient warranty work. * XPeng and BYD are expanding Australian aftersales networks, but some coverage targets remain plans rather than current nationwide access. * Established brands such as Nissan, Subaru and Mitsubishi are expected to stay but may operate with fewer, better-supported dealerships in key locations. The lesson is simple. Enjoy the extra choice and competitive pricing, but do not leave the dealership without asking who will service the car and where the parts come from. Have you taken a punt on one of the newer brands, or do you still prefer a long-established name? Tell YourLifeChoices Pty Ltd in the comments below. Replying made simple Not sure how to comment? Don't worry - it's not a tech exam. Its no-jargon guide breaks it down, step by step. And if you'd like to reply in just a tap, try its app on Google Play or the App Store for the easiest way to stay in the loop. What did you think of this article? Give YourLifeChoices Pty Ltd a thumbs up or a thumbs down! Join the conversation. News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further. Or continue using You May Like - Advertisment -

General Secretary and President To Lam receives leaders of major US corporations. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam met with representatives of several US corporations in New York on September 23 afternoon (local time), as part of his trip to the US to attend the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and conduct bilateral activities. Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 21:52 Meeting Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, General Secretary and President Lam appreciated the company's interest and coordination with Vietnamese agencies in piloting its services in accordance with regulations. Shotwell expressed SpaceX's desire to work with Vietnamese partners to better support disaster response, ensure uninterrupted communications, enable Vietnamese businesses to participate in emerging technology ecosystems and contribute to the safety and sustainable development of Viet Nam's digital ecosystem. He urged SpaceX to prioritise narrowing the digital divide and ensuring access to connectivity for all people, while proposing the company work with Vietnamese agencies to study a satellite-based backup connectivity mechanism for disaster response, and strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese businesses, universities, research institutes, innovation centres and technology companies in training engineers in satellite telecommunications and network design. Meeting Eric Hambly, Chairman, President and CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation, the Vietnamese leader spoke highly of the corporation's presence and cooperation in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production. He noted that Viet Nam is entering a new development period with growing energy demand, and is accelerating its energy transition and promoting clean and renewable energy sources. For his part, Hambly expressed his confidence in Viet Nam's growth potential in the coming years and affirmed that Murphy Oil will continue increasing investment in and stand alongside the country in developing the oil and gas industry, transferring technology and training high-quality human resources. Acknowledging the positive progress of Murphy Oil's ongoing projects, General Secretary and President Lam called on the corporation to closely coordinate with Vietnamese partners and competent agencies to ensure that the projects are brought into effective operation on schedule. He affirmed that Viet Nam will continue maintaining a stable, transparent and predictable investment environment while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of investors. At his meeting with Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO of FedEx Corporation, one of the world's leading companies in air transportation, express delivery, logistics and global trade connectivity, the top Vietnamese leader praised the group's more than 30-year presence in Viet Nam. FedEx has not only provided transportation and delivery services but also contributed to connecting Vietnamese businesses and goods with international markets. Impressed by Viet Nam's development achievements, particularly its rapidly improving infrastructure and advantageous geographical location, Subramaniam said FedEx will step up support for Viet Nam in risk management, automation and faster customs clearance for express shipments and e-commerce. The company also plans to help Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises gain more direct access to global and new markets, while promoting green and safe logistics and human resources development. Subramaniam expressed FedEx's wish to further expand its operations in Viet Nam, thereby helping the Vietnamese economy strengthen its transport capacity and connectivity with global supply chains. Emphasising that faster and more cost-efficient logistics are essential for Vietnamese goods to compete in global markets, General Secretary and President Lam requested FedEx to support Viet Nam's participation in the air cargo ecosystem. He stressed the need to develop a comprehensive system rather than a standalone warehouse and to significantly expand Viet Nam's direct connectivity with the company's global network. He also expressed his hope that FedEx will continue expanding partnership with hospitals in the field of paediatric cancer treatment to promote its strengths in this highly practical area. Meeting with William Nathan Franklin, Founder, CEO and President of Pacifico Energy, General Secretary and President Lam appreciated the group's presence and long-term investment commitment in Viet Nam, particularly in renewable energy, wind power and offshore wind power. To serve industrialisation and modernisation, digital transformation, data centres, AI and high-tech industries, Viet Nam needs a more stable, secure, competitive and green energy system, he said, showing his hope that in the next phase, the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation will be measured by more concrete and substantive results. Franklin spoke highly of Viet Nam's policies to improve the investment and business environment, as well as active and effective support provided by its ministries, sectors and localities to businesses, including US companies. He pledged that Pacifico Energy will continue to invest in wind power and renewable energy in Viet Nam, contributing to the Southeast Asian country's rapid and sustainable economic growth and to the Viet Nam-US relations. Hosting Peter J. Gibson, Founder and CEO of Nebula Energy, General Secretary and President Lam affirmed that Viet Nam always welcomes and create favourable conditions for US firms to invest in and cooperate with Vietnamese partners for the mutual benefit of both sides. Peter gave an overview of his group's global capabilities and experience in developing sustainable LNG infrastructure and advanced AI data centres in the US. He highlighted progress in cooperation agreements with Vietnamese partners and affirmed the group's commitment to accompanying Viet Nam in its long-term energy transition and national digital transformation. He said that the group wishes to further expand cooperation with Vietnamese businesses to apply smart-grid solutions, energy storage systems and AI to production chains. The top Vietnamese leader welcomed the group's cooperation with Vietnamese partners in recent years and the expansion of its projects. He highlighted the promotion of major infrastructure projects in Viet Nam, particularly those combining clean energy and digital technologies, and encouraged the US firm to continue investing in high-tech industries, digital transformation and renewable energy. In a meeting with Murali Krishna Reddy, Member of the Founding Family and Director at Hetero Pharma and a key principal at Camber Pharmaceuticals, General Secretary and President Lam said Viet Nam regards science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as key drivers of rapid and sustainable development. He stressed that in the pharmaceutical sector, Viet Nam aims to develop a modern industry with strong research and production capacity, gradually achieving technological self-reliance to meet healthcare needs. Murali Krishna Reddy said Viet Nam's investment environment has improved significantly, facilitating investment and business activities. He affirmed the group's strong commitment to working with Vietnamese partners to successfully implement its project and deliver tangible results. General Secretary and President Lam called on the group to focus cooperation on technology transfer, acquisition and gradual mastery, helping strengthen Viet Nam's technological self-reliance and deepen its participation in regional and global pharmaceutical value chains. He also urged the parties to translate their agreements into concrete, substantive and sustainable outcomes, thereby contributing to strengthening the self-reliance of Viet Nam's pharmaceutical industry and improving healthcare quality for the Vietnamese people.