Car news: The week’s top stories, 17-23 July 2022

Each week we'll keep you up to speed and bring you the 'watercooler' information of what has happened in the world of cars and motoring with the five biggest stories we've covered. Here's what you need to know...

Fuel prices have dropped to the lowest we've seen in four weeks, with 91RON venturing under the $2.00 mark for 10 days running.

The national capital city average currently at $2.16 per litre of 95RON unleaded –  a consistent $0.18 above the lower-octane option. Meanwhile, diesel continues to rise higher than the rest. Click here to check out the details.

Following numerous sanctions and shortages, Russia has resumed production of the Lada Niva.

In the midst of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, production came to a stop in March, and it wasn't until May when the government relaxed conditions for systems that needed microchips. This meant cars could be sold without particular safety features. See the full story here.

Vehicle manufacturer Isuzu could face a class-action lawsuit amid reports of structural underbody cracks and faulty diesel filters.

There are concerns that approximately 90,000 Isuzu D-Max utes and MU-X four-wheel-drive wagons sold between 2017 to 2019 could possess these defects. To find out the details, click here.

The car that once wore the Holden Commodore badge is ceasing production. Formerly a division of US giant General Motors before it was sold to the French Peugeot-Citroen group, Opel will end production of its mid-size car in Europe by the end of 2022.

The confirmation comes less than three months after Opel affiliate Vauxhall ditched its version of the Insignia in the UK. Read the full story here.

ACT will enforce a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035 – the first Australian jurisdiction to set a firm end date for internal combustion-engined vehicle sales.

Based on official details, the goal is for 80 to 90 per cent of new light vehicles sold by 2030 to be electric or hydrogen powered. Owners of petrol or diesel vehicles will still be allowed to drive, buy and/or sell their current cars. More details here.

Due in Australia next year, the new Honda Civic Type R packs a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo engine, sharper chassis, more restrained styling, and more technology inside the cabin. Click here for the full story.

You can read all the car news covered by Drive on our news feed here.