Sanjay Takale's HDJ 100—a Land Cruiser 100-series diesel—made history by winning Stage 1 of Dakar 2026, the first four-wheel stage victory for an Indian driver. The engine gave up on Stage 3, a brutal reminder that even purpose-built rally machines are fighting against the desert's attrition. Sometimes talent and preparation aren't enough when you're pushing 30-year-old iron to its limits.

Ford's Ranger has dominated Australian pickup sales for nearly four decades, but market dynamics are finally shifting. Toyota's refreshed lineup and BYD's aggressive EV truck strategy are poised to genuinely crack what's been an untouchable market position, forcing Ford to actually defend territory it's taken for granted.