HOT TOPIC
// New-car sales fall 34.6%
Toyota takes out top two spots while Tesla’s Model 3 surges up the rankings to become the fourth best-seller in August.
- AutoCar says The Tesla Model 3 becomes NZ’s fourth most popular car
- AutoCar also says Covid-19 lockdowns hit NZ car industry hard in august
- AutoFile says Ranger dominates commercials
- Stuff Motoring says Level 4 lockdown took a hammer to monthly vehicle registrations
HOT TOPIC
// Renewing WOF and COF in alert Level 3
Waka Kotahi is reminding vehicle owners in regions which have moved to Covid-19 Alert Level 3 that Warrant of Fitness (WOF) and Certificate of Fitness (COF) inspections are now available at most sites.
- AutoFile says Agency issues warrant advice
HOT TOPIC
// Revealed: Audi Grandsphere concept gives us a taste of next A8
Less than a month ago, Audi revealed its wild Skysphere Concept; a two door sports car with an extendable wheelbase and crazed styling.
- Stuff Motoring says Audi reveals Grandsphere concept to follow up Skysphere
HOT TOPIC
// Hyundai’s new Casper might be the cutest SUV of all time
As far as SUV coverage goes, Hyundai seems to be unmatched in the segment, offering some sort of high-riding vehicle for almost every application.
- Stuff Motoring says Hyundai reveals awesome bite-sized electric SUV
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BEST OF THE REST
// AC an EV Ace? American icon gets the electric treatment
Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks? AC Cars, established in 1901, has announced a new electric model, the Ace RS.
// Electric Vehicle versus petrol power: is a BEV really that much cheaper to run?
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are still a relatively new phenomenon in the New Zealand new-vehicle market. But the big headline about plug-in cars seems to be ultra-low running cost.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Cupra debuts crazy UrbanRebel concept EV
Cupra has revealed a crazy new concept, which will eventually make it to production.
// New vehicle sales up 33% in Australia
New vehicles sales in Australia are up 33% on the same month last year, demonstrating the resilience of the market despite the impacts of lock downs and microprocessor shortages
// Polestar spearheading transparency movement in the car industry
Polestar has done the unthinkable and published the full details of the carbon footprint of its latest models for the general car buying public to see.
// Activity at borders increases
The year-to-date total for used-imported cars is one-third higher than at the same stage of 2020.
// Electric boats making waves without the noise
While the auto industry has raced ahead on an electric wave with more manufacturers joining the race seemingly every day, the boating industry has sputtered far behind, bogged down by low-power engines and batteries that take up nearly half the boat.
// When it comes to cheap cars, kiwis are in love with hybrids
While the domestic new-car world is dominated by utes and SUVs, things are a little different in the second-hand market.
// Top used imports stay same
Whangarei bucks the trend and is the only region to increase sales in lockdown-affected month.
// Foreign firm buys into kiwi EV company as green momentum builds
New Zealand charging network firm ChargeNet has inked a deal with international firm Mercuria, seeing the latter take over a 20 per cent stake in the company.
// Energy efficiency firm rebrands to ESP
ESP has announced a major rebrand to better represent the full range of Efficiency, Sustainability and Performance services provided to clients.
// BMW to tackle climate change by using hemp in its interiors
BMW has been more vocal than most brands in regards to measures it’s taking to shrink its carbon footprint, particularly when it comes to vehicle production.
// Morgan is working on a new 3 Wheeler without V-twin power
Morgan has confirmed it is working on the next generation of 3 Wheeler, although it won’t come with a V-twin rumble.
// Subaru reveals ‘hardcore’ forester. Will it come to NZ?
Following a high profile image leak earlier this week, Subaru has unveiled its new Forester Wilderness in full; a more rugged, more capable version of its popular mid-size SUV.
// A reminder: your Porsche SUV is not a boat
The Porsche Macan is an impressively capable vehicle – fast, comfortable and a thoroughly excellent handler,
ONE LINERS
- Mad Mike’s slammed Mazda MX-5 emerges for sale
- RAM’s massive 2500 truck to hit Kiwi roads next month
- MTA wants greater engagement on Covid-19 planning
- How a single Covid case rocked Toyota, the world’s biggest carmaker
- U.S. authorities probe Tesla crash that killed man changing flat tyre
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).