HOT TOPIC
// Ford NZ announces new entry-level hybrid SUV
The blue oval’s local arm has confirmed that it will bring in the mild hybrid variant of its Puma compact crossover in the second quarter of 2022.
- AutoTalk says Mild hybrid Pumas arrive 2022
HOT TOPIC
// Ebbett group launching Kia Rotorua dealership
Kia New Zealand has announced on social media that its latest dealership in Rotorua is now open for business.
- AutoFile says New dealership opens its doors
HOT TOPIC
// Vehicle imports jump $415m
Japan leading contributor to increase as automotive sector plays key part in record monthly trade deficit for NZ.
- AutoTalk says Japan leads $415 million surge in automotive imports
HOT TOPIC
// Turners cars driving the project’s ‘Wheel of Immunity’
Turners Cars is partnering with TV3’s The Project ‘Wheel of Immunity’ promotion which will offer more than $40,000 worth of prizes to viewers who have received a COVID-19 vaccination.
- AutoCar says Get vaccinated, win a car? Kiwi giveaway confirmed
- AutoFile says Get jabbed, win a car
HOT TOPIC
// Mercedes-Benz joins European EV battery joint venture
Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz is teaming up with Stellantis and TotalEnergies in a European electric vehicle battery joint venture, Automotive Cells Company (ACC).
- EVs and Beyond says Mercedes-benz joins EV battery project
SPONSORED BY SYSTIME
// 180 service bookings in 24 hours? Yes, please.
The dealership needed to meet the demand for customers to make service bookings anytime, anywhere, without increasing the workload of their Service Advisors. Service Online solved this problem.
BEST OF THE REST
// Another Dieselgate? VW accused of using emissions defeat devices again
Volkswagen’s ‘Dieselgate’ saga is undoubtedly the biggest scandal of its kind in the current motoring era. It prompted Volkswagen to ‘turn over a new leaf’ and push towards electrification earlier than most other legacy car makers,
// Toyota reportedly working on hydrogen ICE Prius
Toyota could be closer to releasing its hydrogen-powered combustion engine for the road than we thought. According to a new report from Japan, a new version of the Prius is coming, sourcing power from the new type of engine.
// PHEV Jeep Grand Cherokee debuts September 29
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee range will include an electrified 4xe version when it debuts globally on September 29, 2021.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Ford Falcon GTHO sells for $1.3million in Aussie V8 auction extravaganza
Last weekend will go down as one of the biggest for Australian V8 performance car sales in history, with stacks…
// Video: Iveco and Nikola launch joint-venture EV manufacturing facility
A joint venture manufacturing facility for electric heavy-duty trucks has been unveiled by EV truck startup Nikola and IVECO.
// Tesla starts judging owners it charged $10,000 for self-driving
The wait is almost over for some Tesla customers to get access to driver-assistance technology the company has marketed in controversial ways — as long as they’re on their best behaviour.
// Video: Chinese firm delivers 100 fuel cell trucks
A fleet of 100 hydrogen heavy trucks has been delivered for work on a major new construction project in Hebei Province, China.
// Beware of Covid burnout
Surveys highlight the stress felt by business leaders during lockdowns and pandemic.
// Evnex launches EV turnkey solution
Christchurch-based company Evnex has a new brand and offering. Evnex now not only makes New Zealand’s leading EV smart chargers, it will install them too,
// Volvo reveals new materials for its leather-free cars
Fashion houses such as Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham have long eschewed animal products in their wares, while automakers including Audi, Mazda, BMW, Land Rover, and Tesla offer leather-free and sustainable interiors as options in their cars.
// US EV manufacturer workhorse recalls 41 vehicles
Ohio-based EV manufacturer Workhorse Group is recalling 41 electric delivery vehicles and suspending deliveries of its C-1000 cargo van range,
// Watch: Toyota Yaris Cross and Isuzu MU-X earn 5-star ANCAP ratings
Toyota’s Yaris Cross compact crossover and Isuzu’s rugged 7-seater MU-X are the latest vehicles to earn a full five-star ANCAP…
// Four British companies want to reinvent the classic roadster
Four British companies, Astheimer (exterior and interior design), Potenza Technology (drivetrain and battery development), BAMD Composites and Conjure (human machine interface design and development), have been quietly working together on a new two-seater sports car, one with “sustainability at its core and efficiency driving its design.
ONE LINERS
- Rad’s Toyota Hilux revealed as an overly aggressive off-road ute
- Revealed: Rivian R1T Crash Was Driver Error, Not Mechanical Issue
- Bugatti owner reveals the mind-blowing services costs behind $3 million hypercar
- Live the drop-top dream in this drop-dead gorgeous Porsche 911
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).