HOT TOPIC
// JMC utes undergo testing
Local validation programme testing two models ahead of launch in New Zealand.
- AutoTrader says JMC utes begin testing in New Zealand ahead of local launch
- Stuff says New Chinese ute brand JMC begins NZ testing ahead of 2027 launch
- Driven Car Guide says New JMC utes begin New Zealand testing ahead of 2027 launch
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STATS WEEK
// GWM posts record month as Ora 5 tops EV registrations
GWM New Zealand registered 667 new vehicles in October, its best month on record, beating its previous high set in June.
// New car arrivals rise 36% in October as used imports fall
New Zealand imported 19,487 fully built-up vehicles in October, up 15.5% on September’s 16,875 and 10.6% on October 2025, according to provisional New Zealand Customs figures.
// Used imports ahead of last year
Sector’s year-to-date totals eclipse 2025 and jump for new vehicles crossing the border.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Nissan’s new Y63 Patrol to make New Zealand debut at Muriwai Muster
Nissan’s much-anticipated new Y63 Patrol will make its New Zealand debut at Muriwai this month.
// Jaecoo J8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid priced from $68,990 in NZ
Jaecoo’s first seven-seater, the 315kW J8 SHS-P plug-in hybrid, arrives this month in a single Summit grade with 169km of claimed electric range.
// University of Auckland plans $125m Bruce McLaren engineering centre
The University of Auckland plans a $125 million engineering centre named after Bruce McLaren, the New Zealand driver who began an engineering degree at the university in the late 1950s before founding the McLaren racing team and car company.
// BMW confirms New Zealand allocation of Nürburgring anniversary M cars
BMW New Zealand has confirmed an allocation of the special edition “100 Jahre Nürburgring” M cars for New Zealand.
// New Polestar 2 lined up for New Zealand’s Polestar owners
Polestar New Zealand has around 2,000 Polestar 2 owners, and a replacement for their car is on the way.
// Cheaper Ford ute to slot under Ranger in global markets, potentially including NZ
Ford will launch a new ute in global markets in 2027, designed to be cheaper to build than the Ranger and to tackle Chinese brands.
// Polestar 5 NZ price: the bar’s been raised (a lot)
A quarter of a million dollars is a lot of money. But it’s still only just enough for Kiwi buyers to secure the entry-level version of the new Polestar 5 luxury sedan/fastback/coupe thingy.
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// Selling EVs? The Handover Just Got Easier
Charging cables, plugs, installation, safety… new EV owners have plenty of questions, and your sales team doesn’t always have time to answer them all.
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The Basics Booklet is a handy, glovebox-sized guide that gives your customers clear, practical answers they can take home and refer to whenever they need. With separate editions for Type 1, Type 2 and NACS vehicles, you can give every EV customer information that’s relevant to their vehicle.
Best of all, the booklets are completely free for dealers to give to their EV customers.
See what’s inside => View sample booklet pages
INTERNATIONAL EV NEWS
// Mercedes Wants To Rethink EV Batteries With This Clever New Technology
Instead of charging the battery as a whole unit, micro-converters can charge or discharge each cell individually.
ONE LINERS
- Electric trucks pass half of China’s heavy truck sales
- Tata Motors and Iveco form global commercial vehicle group
- Ford unveils go-anywhere Bronco with a 7.3-litre V8, making more than 890kW
- Skoda owners can now print their own cupholders at home
- BMW Alpina production car tops 300km/h
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