Australia has long been a stronghold for pickup trucks, but Rivian’s all-electric lineup remains out of reach for local buyers. For now, at least. Without any right-hand-drive models in its range, the American EV maker hasn’t officially broken into the Australian market.

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That could shift in a roundabout fashion, courtesy of a batch of Rivian R1T trucks that ended up stranded Down Under. They might soon be offered to the public. Just one small hitch; you can’t legally drive them on the road, which tends to put a dent in the whole ownership experience.

How Did They Get Here?

So, how did a bunch of Rivianland in Australia in the first place? The short answer is MEVCO, a Perth-based startup launched in 2022 with plans to supply fully electric light commercial vehicles to the mining sector.

The company purchased 13 Rivian R1Ts in 2024 for local trials, alongside three electric Toyota Hilux utes converted by SEA Electric. But MEVCO’s ambitions didn’t last. After struggling to raise funds and drowning in debt, the company collapsed into administration in September 2025.

As part of the liquidation, the entire fleet is now heading to auction. The Rivians will be sold through Grays Auctions in Western Australia, giving local EV enthusiasts a rare chance to pick up one of the U.S.-built trucks, if they can live with some serious restrictions.

Can You Actually Use One?

MEVCO via Drive.com.au

Under Australian law, left-hand-drive vehicles can only be registered for road use if they’re over 30 years old. There are limited exemptions for rare imports, but as these Rivians are mass-produced, they likely won’t qualify.

That means buyers will be confined to using them on private property, think farms, mine sites, remote tracks, or driveways outside the public road network.

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Technically, converting them to right-hand drive could make them street legal, but that’s not a cheap process.

As reported by Australian outlet Drive.com.au, which broke the story, the Rivians will go under the hammer in Western Australia through Grays Auctions.

The Rivians in MEVCO’s fleet are second-generation models equipped with dual electric motors, with several adapted for use in Australian mining operations.

Press photos show a range of added gear, including a bull bar, sports bar, Kevlar underbody protection, wiring harnesses for auxiliary equipment, and a custom sliding drawer mounted behind the cabin.

Michael Fernandes, State Operations Manager for Grays Auctions in WA, told Drive.com.au, “We’re currently working closely with the administrator and completing our legal and compliance due diligence to ensure that when these vehicles hit the open market, ownership will pass to buyers as smoothly as these vehicles drive.”

He added that more details about the auction sale would be made available once the formal process allows.

BYD is preparing to make its move into one of Japan’s most tightly defined and popular vehicle segments with the Racco, a tiny EV that marks the brand’s first kei car. The pint-sized newcomer was introduced earlier today at the Japan Mobility Show as BYD’s first model designed exclusively for overseas markets.

At first glance, the Racco doesn’t stray far from established kei design cues, and that’s no surprise given the strict size and proportion rules governing the segment.

The windowline and fin-shaped pillars echo the previous-generation Mitsubishi ek Space, while the headlights and stance appear to draw inspiration from the Daihatsu Tanto.

More: Mitsubishi’s New Kei Van Channels Its Inner Pajero

The Racco features a short hood, upright windshield, sliding doors, flat sides, and a near-vertical rear end with almost no overhang. It has a C-shaped LED lighting signature on both ends, and rides on 15-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, it comes fitted with disc brakes on all four wheels.

The model measures 3,395 mm (133.7 inches) long, 1,475 mm (58.1 inches) wide, and 1,800 mm (70.9 inches) long, in line with the narrow framework for kei cars.

Inside the four-seater cabin amenities include a digital cockpit with a small instrument cluster and a larger free-standing infotainment that is not usually found in the segment. We also expect a comprehensive ADAS suite and a heat pump for the A/C.

Powertrain Specs

BYD didn’t release the detailed specifications of the electric powertrain, but confirmed that the Racco will be front-wheel-drive. We also know it will be fitted with a “Blade” Lithium iron phosphate battery pack, available in two different capacities (short-range and long-range).

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According to reports, the 20 kWh battery will offer around 180 km (112 miles) of WLTC range although numbers remain unconfirmed. The EV is also expected to be compatible with fast charging of up to 100 kW. The floor-mounted battery will give it a lower center of gravity compared to ICE-powered kei cars, improving handling.

BYD plans to open pre-orders for the Racco in the summer of 2026, with sales commencing shortly after. Pricing is estimated to start at around ¥2.5 million ($16,500) before subsidies, positioning it squarely against the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X EV.

New LCV For Japan

Besides the kei car, BYD has also unveiled a new light commercial vehicle designed to comply with Japanese regulations that allow it to be driven with a standard driver’s license.

The BYD T35 features a cab-over design and will be available in box van and flatbed configurations. It with fitted with a fully electric powertrain generating up to 201 hp (150 kW / 203 PS) and 340 Nm (251 lb-ft) of torque. The Blade lithium iron phosphate battery is good for a WLTC range of 250 km (155 miles).

The flatbed version is exhibited with a mobile sauna stove and cold bath chiller, both using power from the battery. The market launch of the BYD T35 in Japan is scheduled for 2026.

BYD

Toyota has stolen the limelight at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 with a varied selection of premieres across its range, including a new Corolla concept. The sedan previews the next chapter for one of the brand’s best-selling and longest-standing nameplates, with sharp styling and multiple powertrain options.

The concept is part of a new campaign titled “To You, Toyota” and was penned by the company’s European design center in Nice, France (ED²). At first glance, it bears little resemblance to the current 12th-generation of the Corolla.

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Instead, it features crisp, modern lines and proportions more in tune with an electric vehicle, hinting at a new design direction for the familiar compact, much like Toyota achieved with the latest generation of the Prius.

A Sharp Exterior Design

The front end introduces a refined take on Toyota’s hammerhead design, with full-width LED headlights merging horizontal and vertical lighting signatures. Gone is the traditional grille, replaced by a narrow lower intake on the bumper and a subtle vent at the base of the windshield.

From the profile, the car presents itself as a sleek four-door sedan that could carry forward the Corolla nameplate. The front fenders appear to host a charging port beside a new vertical accent beneath the mirrors. Other notable features include a descending window line, sculpted side panels, and conventional door handles.

The rear view is defined by a clean, integrated ducktail spoiler extending from the sloping roof. Sharp shoulders lead to full-width taillights with pixel-like illumination, and “Corolla” lettering sits across the flat tailgate. The rear bumper adds some depth with a sculpted finish and centered license plate placement.

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The interior is just as a radical rethink as the exterior. The dashboard has a clean design with modestly-sized screens for the digital instrument cluster and the passenger display.

There is also a floating center console with a gear selector is shaped after the vehicle, along with futuristic seats and ambient lighting. Basic controls for the media and the HVAC are grouped on steering wheel and on each side of the instrument cluster.

Toyota didn’t share the specifications of the “reinvented” Corolla but confirmed it will stay true to its multi-pathway approach. This means it will offer a variety of powertrain options including fully electric and hybrid, answering to the needs of buyers in different markets around the world.

Crucially, there won’t be any compromise on space or functionality independently of what lies under the hood.

Despite the clear production intent of the Corolla concept, the automaker didn’t announce a set date for the debut of the new generation. Still, with the current model having been around since 2018 with a facelift in 2022, a successor could arrive in 2026.

More Concepts in the Spotlight

Beyond the main reveal, Toyota also showcased a range of inventive concepts that hint at a playful and inclusive vision of mobility. Among them were a series of brightly colored, pod-like vehicles designed for children, known as Kids Mobi.

The lineup also included spider-like transporters, the Chibibo for goods and Walk Me for personal movement. On the other hand Boost Me is a mobility device tailored for people with disabilities that’s nimble enough for a tennis court.

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Completing the collection was Challenge Me, a rugged, off-road-capable wheelchair, KB Lifter which is a treadmill on wheels, and Cyber Love, a rolling, box-shaped lounge that seems to blur the line between vehicle and living space.

Furthermore, the company presented various light commercial vehicle concepts including a tiny single-seater EV for last-mile delivery (Coms-X), a minimalist cab-over pickup envisioned for developing markets (IMV Origin), an autonomous minivan that could serve as a taxi (Kago-Bo), a similar van version for professional use (Kayoibako).

Last but not least, Toyota showcased a new HiAce concept in both regular and high-roof bodystyles, featuring modern styling cues and fortress-style side windows.

Toyota