HOT TOPIC
// EV maker backed by Leonardo DiCaprio valued at US$20 billion in SPAC deal
Polestar, the electric-vehicle maker backed by Volvo Car Group and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, agreed to go public through a merger with a blank-check company at a roughly US$20 billion enterprise valuation.
- EVs and Beyond says Polestar preparing to list as a public company
HOT TOPIC
// NZ world-leading green hydrogen production could be ‘sooner than expected’
A proposal to build the world’s first large-scale green hydrogen plant in Southland has been met with strong interest from domestic and international businesses.
HOT TOPIC
// The new Ford Puma MHEV (mild hybrid) is confirmed to arrive in New Zealand next year
The new Ford Puma MHEV (mild hybrid) is confirmed to arrive in New Zealand next year! Ford New Zealand will be offering two MHEV variants;
- AutoFile says Mild hybrid on the way
- Stuff Motoring says Ford to introduce mild-hybrid Puma next year
HOT TOPIC
// Revealed: New-look 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 breaks cover
Chevrolet has issued its first official images of the updated 2023 Corvette C8 Z06, its go-faster, flat-plane crank V8 assault on the supercar establishment.
- AutoCar says New Zealand might miss out on Chevrolet Corvette Z06
- Driven says Chevrolet’s upcoming Corvette Z06 shown in full ahead of launch
SPONSORED BY SYSTIME
// 180 service bookings in 24 hours? Yes, please.
The dealership needed to meet the demand for customers to make service bookings anytime, anywhere, without increasing the workload of their Service Advisors. Service Online solved this problem.
BEST OF THE REST
// This QV-powered Alfa Romeo Giulia restomod is a thing of dreams
Totem has released a petrol-powered version of their Alfa Romeo Giulia coupe, the Totem GT Super, trading the electric motor of the Giulia for a 456kW twin-turbo V6.
// Emissions targets under attack
Colonial’s chief executive highlights sticker prices of pure electric cars are almost double those of conventional vehicles.
// COVID disrupts EV road trip
Auckland’s COVID alert level three has impacted the northern loop of the planned ‘October Roadie’ and ‘Leading the Charge’ EV road trips.
IN OTHER NEWS
// High-tech talks online
Second T-Tech Reboot to feature five speakers after annual conference cancelled due to Covid-19.
// Porsche 718 line-up going fully electric in 2025
A new report has emerged claiming Porsche has decided to convert the Boxster and Cayman to fully electric sports cars by 2025.
// Rolls-Royce Motor Cars confirms production BEV coming
Ahead of a significant announcement at 13:00 hours BST on September 29, 2021, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has confirmed it will introduce a production battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the next decade (2020-2030).
// ‘The way of the future’: Dunedin trials first electric bus
An electric bus is being trialled in one of the country’s hilliest cities.
// Vector and (Google) X to collaborate on Auckland electricity system
A move by Vector to form a strategic collaboration with X, (formerly Google X) to work together on the virtualisation of the Auckland electricity grid highlights the type of innovation that can help decarbonise and decentralise the electricity system, energy and resources minister Megan Woods says.
// SUVs score five-star safety ratings
Isuzu and Toyota models win praise for crash-protection measures. PLUS – videos
// ABB invests in e-mobility start-up Go To-U
ABB’s e-mobility division has strengthened its global leadership with investment in Los Angeles-based start-up Go To-U, a platform for EV charging management and operations.
ONE LINERS
- Ultra rare HSV ‘Big Banana’ sells for $1 million at auction
- Mint condition Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III sets new auction record
- He successfully sued Tesla for sales fraud, now they’re suing him for defamation
- Electric vehicle sales surge in UK following petrol shortage crisis
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).