Drivers of some of Australia’s most popular family and luxury vehicles could be hit by a looming shortage of suitable diesel fuel that has sent the Morrison government scrambling to secure extra supply from Japan.

Models with diesel engines that require AdBlue – an additive made with urea that is in short supply around the globe after China halted exports – include the Ford Everest, Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery models.