HOT TOPIC
// GWM’s boxy Haval H7 lands next month under $50,000, hybrid or plug-in only
GWM will launch the Haval H7 in New Zealand in mid-October under $50,000, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid Hi4 powertrains and no petrol-only version.
- Stuff Motoring says Aggressive NZ pricing detailed for GWM’s boxy Haval H7
- Driven Car Guide says GWM Haval promises H7 SUV will be the big dog for value in New Zealand
HOT TOPIC
// Taika Waititi collaborates with Zeekr on photographic exhibition, because car ads are ‘pretty boring’
Zeekr has collaborated with Taika Waititi on a photographic exhibition called Spotlight, running at Studio 230 in Ponsonby, Auckland from September 17-20.
- EVs & Beyond says Taika Waititi shot seven scenes lit only by a Zeekr’s headlights
HOT TOPIC
// Volvo XC60 and XC90 PHEVs with up to 180km of EV range confirmed for NZ
Volvo is bringing long-range plug-in hybrid versions of the XC60 and XC90 to New Zealand.
- EVs & Beyond says Volvo’s XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids get 180km of electric range
HOT TOPIC
// NZ pricing revealed for Mitsubishi Outlander Sport hybrid
Mitsubishi’s newest SUV entrant will be priced from $39,990 when it arrives in December.
- Autofile says Hybrid first for marque in NZ
HOT TOPIC
// X55 Hybrid touches down
All-new BAIC model joins the recently introduced B30 Hybrid 2WD and AWD.
- Stuff Motoring says BAIC confirms X55 hybrid mid-size SUV for NZ
HOT TOPIC
// Geely Starray EM-i gains AWD flagship – how much is it?
Geely will expand its Starray EM-i range in early October with a new all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid.
- Driven Car Guide says AWD version now tops New Zealand Geely Starray EM-i lineup
HOT TOPIC
// Volkswagen ID.3 spawns the first rear-wheel drive GTI
The ID.3 is second EV, after the ID. Polo, to wear the famous GTI badge and the first to stray from its front-wheel drive heritage.
- Driven Car Guide says Volkswagen ID.3 GTI revealed with 240kW and 601km
HOT TOPIC
// Sena ups offer by 10c
Chief executive of 2 Cheap Cars boosts his takeover bid to 90c per share.
- AutoTalk says Sena moves closer to 2 Cheap Cars takeover threshold
- Autofile says Sale-ready stock increases
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BEST OF THE REST
// New owners for dealership
Used-car dealer “proud of everything we’ve achieved” as he farewells industry.
// MG details U9 EV ute: 325kW, 430km and 3.5 tonnes of towing, here this year
MG has detailed the U9 EV electric ute with 325kW, a 102.2kWh battery, 430km WLTP range and 3,500kg braked towing, ahead of a New Zealand arrival before the end of 2026.
IN OTHER NEWS
// EVs get a lower FBT rate as the ute exemption ends: what the bill before Parliament means
A bill before Parliament sets FBT on electric company cars at 17% against 20% for petrol and diesel from April 2027, and ends the work-related vehicle exemption behind the double-cab ute.
// EV drivers asked to take global survey, with NZ needing 100 responses to count
New Zealand EV drivers have until 6 October to complete the Global EV Driver Survey, with 100 responses needed for New Zealand to get its own country-level results.
// Chery says the Stockman’s friendly face is deliberate
Chery design boss Steve Eum says the Stockman’s approachable front end was a deliberate move away from the aggression dominating the ute segment, as the diesel plug-in hybrid heads for NZ in early 2027.
// Tesla’s Cybercab is coming to Auckland, but only to look at
Tesla will bring the Cybercab to Auckland in 2027 as part of an Australia and New Zealand tour starting in Sydney on 21 September, with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) test drives at tour stops.
// Nissan’s plug-in hybrid ute spotted on Sydney roads as testing widens
Nissan’s Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute has been spotted on public roads in Sydney, the latest in an Australian test programme running since June, ahead of an expected 2027 launch and a hinted New Zealand arrival.
// Chery updates the E5, NZ’s Omoda E5, with bigger screen and massaging seats
Chery has updated the E5 electric SUV, sold as the Omoda E5 in New Zealand, for MY27 with a 15.6-inch screen, ventilated and massaging front seats and an active grille shutter, debuting at Everything Electric Sydney.
// Ford approves Armstrong’s takeover of North Harbour and John Andrew, effective 31 October
Ford New Zealand has formally approved Armstrong’s Group as the incoming owner of North Harbour Ford and John Andrew Ford, with the transition effective 31 October.
// Fuel spending climbs
Stats NZ reports card transactions on vehicles falling by 0.3 per cent.
// Dealer group tees up golf role
Enterprise Motor Group says shared values key to partnership with the PGA of New Zealand.
// Former car dealer faces jail time
Andrew Francis James admits drug charges in US and is still wanted by police in New Zealand.
// Split approach to CVS welcome
VIA chief says scrappage credit scheme is one idea it will take into talks about revamping policy.
// Record uptake of group shares
Turners hails “fantastic outcome” as more than 70 per cent of staff have stake in company.
// Cadillac Lyriq-V launches in NZ from $109,000
Cadillac’s quickest car yet has arrived in New Zealand, with the electric Lyriq-V priced from $109,000 plus on-road costs.
// Evnex passes 20,000 chargers, with the second 10,000 taking nine months
Christchurch’s Evnex has passed 20,000 home EV chargers across Australia and New Zealand, with the second 10,000 taking nine months against eight years for the first.
// 2027 Nissan Patrol gets bigger boot and 3700kg towing capacity in NZ
The all-new Nissan Patrol will offer more passenger and cargo space than its predecessor, while towing capacity increases to 3,700kg across the range.
// Kiwi motorhome maker TrailLite launches new Roadcraft brand: more luxury, more off-grid
Roadcraft is a NZ rival to compact European motorhomes, based on a Fiat Ducato. TrailLite says its features are much more in tune with Kiwi motorhome habits.
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INTERNATIONAL EV NEWS
// Swaptopus inches towards reality as CATL reveals new semi truck battery
In a move that challenges Orange Juicer and Buick Electra for the highly coveted Best Name in the EV Business title, a new venture between CATL and Octopus Energy called “Swaptopus” has been formed to build out a European battery swap network for commercial trucks.
ONE LINERS
- Toyota unveils a hydrogen-powered GR Hilux for Dakar
- Australia’s electric motorcycle maker Savic opens itself to buyers and investors
- Next London black cab confirmed for 2027 as the TX ends production
- BYD recalls Shark 6 utes over spare wheels that can fall off
- Chery’s design boss makes the case for cars that look familiar
- Kia reveals the PV7: 800-volt electric van with 8.0 cubic metres and nine seats
- CEO role ‘great privilege’
- Dubai Police adds Mansory Ferrari to its tourist patrol fleet
- Alfa Romeo tease a new concept car that will define its future
- GM reveals new V8s with up to 359kW for the Silverado
- Land Rover finally builds the Defender ute we’ve been asking for
- Volvo plans 13 new models and the return of more buttons in the cabin
- McLaren to make performance SUV, and it won’t be electric
- Audi A2 e-tron production starts with reused robots
- Hyundai targets 2028 for NVIDIA Level 2+ driving tech
- Dongfeng Vigo is as much about the destination as the journey
- Bentley’s new-tech Torcal will be produced on one of its oldest sites
- Volkswagen Mission Efficiency completes 1278km drive
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