Nissan

New car sales in Western Australia have had a poor start to the year, with the passenger and heavy commercial markets contracting sharply and indicating that consumers and local businesses alike are tightening their belts.

Some enterprising WA companies are flying under the radar with clean technology business ideas. We highlight local innovations in several fields.

Not everyone can afford a luxury electric Tesla vehicle, starting around $100,000, but the launch of the US brand in Australia this month is expected to impact on Western Australia's emerging electric vehicle market, according to the local branch of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association.

Qantas is the latest in a growing number of business icons to be confronted by rapidly changing market conditions.