HOT TOPIC
// Chery’s ute naming contest hits the final nine
A world-first plug-in hybrid diesel ute (unless GWM beats them to it) is one public vote away from getting a name,
- Driven Car Guide says Chery Dropbear? Plug-in hybrid ute gets closer to a name
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BEST OF THE REST
// BYD, MG, Tesla and Skoda earn five-star ANCAP ratings in latest testing round
Four new vehicles have received five-star safety ratings in the latest round of ANCAP assessments.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Hyundai IONIQ 6 N launches in Australia, NZ decision pending
The high-performance EV sedan goes on sale across the Tasman from A$115,000, with a New Zealand launch under review.
// ECVS opens orders for NZ-made Leaf battery upgrade
Palmerston North-based Electric Commercial Vehicle Solutions (ECVS) has finalised pricing on a 52kWh battery upgrade for first-generation Nissan Leafs
// Collecting Cars tops $9m in April as demand for collectibles strengthens
Online auction platform Collecting Cars has recorded more than NZ$9.76 million in sales in April,
// Demand for cars ‘resilient’
The new-vehicle market recorded a solid increase in April 2026 with 9,864 registrations, which was up by 11.7 per cent year on year.
// New role to grow business
Avanti Finance has appointed Paul Jamieson as general manager of Avanti Capital, a newly created role as the company focuses on accelerating the growth of its funds management business.
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INTERNATIONAL EV NEWS
// The Electric M3 Will Be Priced In the
BMW says its M3 EV equivalent should land in the same price ballpark as the combustion version, even though it will likely be quicker and have much more power.
ONE LINERS
- Electric Lexus ES confirmed for NZ, coming this year
- Drivers vote this vehicle manufacturer NZ’s most trusted car brand
- Italian ‘modified a Toyota to sell as NZ$345k Ferrari’
- BMW builds its two-millionth EV as electric push gathers speed
- Volvo rolls out Google Gemini AI to cars dating back to 2020
- Tesla Semi begins rolling off high-volume production line
- Australia EV sales reach 16.4% market share in April
- Australian Govt targets EV tax break to cheaper models in phased changes
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