HOT TOPIC
// Ford confirms reveal date for all-new Ranger
Its official; the much anticipated all-new Ford Ranger will be revealed later this month on November 24, with the blue oval confirming overnight that it will show off its new pick-up via an online live stream.
HOT TOPIC
// Kia confirms new Sportage pricing
Kia has confirmed pricing for the new Sportage line-up, due to launch early in 2022. The next-generation Sportage will start with an introductory offer of $34,990 for the LX Urban, a 2.0-litre front-wheel drive base model.
- AutoCar says Kia reveals NZ Sportage pricing, engine details amid pre-order surge
- AutoTalk says Kia NZ dealers receive more than 500 Sportage pre-launch orders
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BEST OF THE REST
// Wagons get hybrid systems
Skoda NZ is launching two Octavia iV plug-in hybrids in November with both qualifying for the governments clean car discount.
The iV Style station wagon is equipped with a 110kW and 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine.
// SK targets solid state EV battery technology ahead of rivals
SK Innovation Co. plans to get two years or more ahead of its rivals and deliver solid-state batteries by 2025, according to the head of battery research at the South Korean company, which released results Friday showing a jump in sales last quarter.
// Registrations show solid October for new market
New vehicle registrations were strong again in October, with both passenger and commercial well ahead of last years totals. For passenger vehicles, registrations were up by 11.6% for the month to 9260 units from 8296 in 2020.
IN OTHER NEWS
// World’s first ‘Ultracar’ revealed as $20 million ‘Chaos’
When cars first started to get fast, the term ‘supercar’ was coined, then when they got even faster, people started to call these machines ‘hypercars’, and now it seems that we’ve moved on to the ‘Ultracar’.
// Auckland Lamborghini dealer taking Movember bull run by the horns
Due to COVID-19 restrictions Lamborghini Auckland has cancelled the in-person Movember Bull Run event but will host a different fundraising initiative in its premises on November 6 for the global mens health charity.
// Auckland car dealers set to finally reopen their doors
With yesterdays confirmation of Auckland moving in principle to move into Alert Level 3.2 next week, car dealerships across Auckland and Waikato will be breathing a sigh of relief at the notion of being able to finally open up their doors for business.
// Quartermaine joins Enterprise Hamilton as sales manager
Former Community Finance Services (CFS) relationship manager Josh Quartermaine has been appointed as the new sales manager for Enterprise Motor Group Hamilton.
// EV registrations continue rising
October EV registrations are 1053 up on September (32,781 to 33,834) as EV sales still surge in spite of COVID-19 restrictions, semiconductor shortages and supply constraints.
// China’s electric car sales war is being waged inside the cabin
Around lunchtime at an Xpeng showroom in Beijing last month, a man in a three-piece suit strolled inside and straight past rows of the company’s sleek P7 and P5 electric sedans.
// Ford unveils Bronco DR, a 5.0-litre V8 4×4 beast you can buy
Car manufacturers love to dangle concept car carrots in front of their fans, in the hope that those cars can rouse interest in the brand.
// Holden’s former proving grounds is up for sale… again
The top-secret Lang Lang testing site in rural Victoria, which is formerly Holden’s proving grounds, is up for sale yet again. The grounds was used for almost every single Holden model built between 1958 and 2020, when the brand retired.
// Is it a plane, is it a bird?
Flying cars have been in the wings for some time now, proving a nightmare for rule makers at civil aviation authorities. Adding to their angst will be the latest reveal.of a hoverbike, dubbed XTurismo Limited Edition.
// Agency model shift reflected in strong sales says Toyota
Toyota New Zealand says the shift to an agency model has been rewarded with increased sales in spite of the current constricted supply chain.
ONE LINERS
- Ferrari wins court case against Mansory for copying the design of its FXX K
- Supercars considering switch to hybrid engines
- Police at COP26 Climate Summit are riding electric Harley-Davidson Livewires
- New Zealand’s traffic barely registers on the list of most congested roads
- Your phone could soon be able to tell you’ve had a car crash
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).