HOT TOPIC
// New vehicle sales fall 36% during alert Level 4 lockdown
The snap alert level 4 lockdown has seen registrations of new vehicles fall more than 36% in August 2021 to 6746 units in comparison to 10,610 vehicles in August 2020.
- AutoFile says Lockdown takes toll on market
- AutoTalk says VINZ services operating under alert Level 3
- EVs and Beyond says Record august EV registrations dented by COVID
HOT TOPIC
// Swiss firm’s 20% stake in Chargenet will accelerate EV charging growth
Kiwi EV charging network ChargeNet has signed a deal with global energy trading company Mercuria, which has acquired a 20% stake in ChargeNet.
- Stuff Motoring says ChargeNet receives shot in the arm from multinational energy company
HOT TOPIC
// Tesla’s 400km/h roadster further delayed to 2023
In the midst of New Zealand’s second string of full level four Covid-19 lockdowns, November 2017 feels like it was a particularly long time ago.
HOT TOPIC
// Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition revealed as a secret agent’s off-roader
It’s a movie that was originally scheduled for release in November of 2019, but pandemic issues has meant that James Bond’s No Time to Die has been pushed back three times, and now is set to release in October of this year.
SPONSORED BY SYSTIME
// Do customers really need to visit the dealership to buy a car?
38% don’t think so. Adapting touch points for digital buyers is more important than ever, check out the research on what buyers actually want and how you can adapt your dealership.
BEST OF THE REST
// Award-winning Ram 2500 HD landing soon
The Ateco Group which distributes the RAM Truck brand in New Zealand says the award-winning all-new 2022 RAM 2500 HD models will be arriving in dealerships here in late September
// Revealed: which new cars have the most (and least) problems?
Data accumulation firm J.D. Power has published its annual US-based Initial Quality Survey study for 2021, showcasing which car brands have the least and most problems in the first 90 days of ownership.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Electric Hispano Suiza Carmen stars at Salón Privé
Electric hypercar the Hispano Suiza Carmen is at Salón Privé at Blenheim Palace in the United Kingdom until September 5.
// ACC keen to lift motor-vehicle levies
Have your say on proposals as organisation wrestles with increasing number of claims and rising healthcare costs.
// Rebel with claws
Cupra is pushing forward with electrification, showing off its latest creation, the UrbanRebel Concept, a compact urban all-electric car that also happens to be a racing design.
// US asks Tesla how Autopilot responds to emergency vehicles
The U.S. government’s highway safety agency wants detailed information on how Tesla’s Autopilot system detects and responds to emergency vehicles parked on highways.
// Imported cars keep on moving
Transport company boss reveals how contactless approach has affected operations.
// Three still the magic number for Morgan
Morgan is embracing change of late. Last year it debuted a new chassis for the Plus Four, the first major upgrade for the model in a thousand years, and now it has confirmed a modern three-wheeler is close to reality.
// Leaded petrol eradicated after two decades of effort
Leaded petrol has been eliminated, the United Nations has said, with the final stocks used up last month.
// ‘Game-changing’ car licence Sea electric truck hits the road
The first of the “game-changing” electric-powered SEA 300-45 trucks has rolled off SEA Electric’s Melbourne production line with a car licence driver rating.
// This epic creation is a tri-motor hybrid hovercraft
While electric vehicles are slowly taking over the land and the skies remain free of consumers flying their VTOL flying cars, some people are also trying to take advantage of the abundance of water.
// New face for transport at Nats
Hamilton-based MP takes on portfolio as the party rejigs its line-up.
ONE LINERS
- Aston Martin and Corgi unleash the ultimate movie collectable
- Hyundai has turned the Ioniq 5 into a fully autonomous taxi
- Lotus confirms plans to build four new EVs, including 2 SUVs
- Polestar is world EV day lead sustainability partner
HELPFUL RESOURCES
// UPDATED Current National New Car Deals
REMOVED THIS WEEK
JEEP
- Jeep Compass – 0% Finance, ⅓-⅓-⅓ Offer
- Jeep Wrangler – 0% Finance, ⅓-⅓-⅓ Offer
- Jeep Gladiator – 0% Finance, ⅓-⅓-⅓ Offer
ADDED THIS WEEK
MITSUBISHI
- TRITON BLACK EDITION 2WD – $44,990 +ORC*
SUZUKI
- Free Child’s car seat with any new Suzuki
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).