Truck Dogs by Graeme Base

In a far-off desert world remarkably similar to outback Australia, evolution has taken an unexpected turn. The dominant life form is a creature covered in fur but with living steel panels beneath. It gnaws on bones and sniffs lampposts but fills up on oil, brake fluid and petrol. And it's wonderfully clever with its wheels and wing mirrors -- able to do just about anything, in fact -- which is lucky since it hasn't got any arms or legs.

It's an animal with an engine. Or is it a car with floppy ears and a wet nose?

This is the world of TruckDogs.