HOT TOPIC

// Open letter to minister on finance

The Financial Services Federation (FSF) has written an open letter to David Clark, Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and his officials outlining what it believes needs to be done to ensure amended finance laws work.

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HOT TOPIC

// Concepts for electric future

Subaru Corporation and its motorsport subsidiary, Subaru Tecnica International (STI), have revealed two electric concept models at Tokyo Auto Salon.

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BEST OF THE REST

// Lotus developing EVs

The first performance SUV from Lotus, the Type 132, is due for its world premiere later this year and it will be followed by a four-door sports coupe (Type 133) and a smaller SUV (Type 134) in coming years, Lotus says.

// Honda thinks hydrogen combustion is unfeasible

Honda is pivoting toward a zero-emissions future, but its CEO isn’t convinced by rival Toyota’s efforts in making hydrogen combustion engines.

// Clean Car Scheme woes: Suzuki and Isuzu thinking of leaving NZ

The New Zealand government’s Clean Car Scheme has been the topic of debate recently, with some fearing the potential indirect consequences of the legislation.

IN OTHER NEWS

// Tuning company thinks it’s ‘fixed’ the BMW M3/M4 grille

Even though their initial unveiling took place well over a year ago, the car community continues to deliberate about BMW’s bold new grille design, best highlighted by the M3 and M4.The huge twin kidneys were somewhat inevitable.

// Electricarna shaping up for February 27

‘The Car Man’ aka Philip Brown will be back at Electricarna. New Plymouth’s big EV event…

// Hybrid gets blacked out

Mazda New Zealand has seen in the new year by updating the CX-30 range and adding the SP20 MHEV Blackout Edition to it.

// Rimac will develop its EV tech as a standalone company

Rimac has announced it will spin off its engineering division into a standalone entity called Rimac Technology to develop EV tech for the new Bugatti Rimac company as well as third-party manufacturers.

// Toyota expects to miss annual output goal on chip disruptions

Toyota said it is unlikely to reach its goal of manufacturing 9 million cars this fiscal year through March due to persistent chip shortages.

// NZ pricing and specs revealed for new Renault Arkana

Renault New Zealand had revealed the pricing and specifications for the new Arkana, which is set to hit NZ shores in 2022.

// Kia EV6 specs revealed ahead of second-quarter NZ launch

Kia has announced key specification details of the new, all-electric EV6 with the first examples of the new model arriving in New Zealand towards the beginning of the second quarter.

// Morgan’s newest model celebrates its biggest achievement

The 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans was won by Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill in a Ferrari 330 TRI/LM. Ferraris dominated the final results, sweeping the podium.

// Call to keep inflation in check

Further pressure is being put on the Reserve Bank to continue to raise interest rates to keep inflation in check.

// Record year for new vehicle registrations

Rising demand for hybrid and electric vehicles helped drive a record number of new vehicle registrations last year.

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HELPFUL RESOURCES

// Current National New Car Deals

Updated every Friday, here’s a complete list of current National deals for new cars, utes, and light commercials.

// Clean Car Calculator

Input vehicle make and/or model to calculate if the car will receive a rebate, fee or sits in the zero band (no change).