HOT TOPIC
// Great Wall gets monkey off its back, earns 5-star ANCAP safety rating
After its last trucks reputation was put through the mud following one of the lowest ANCAP crash-test ratings of recent times, Great Wall Motors (GWM) has buried the hatchet; its new Cannon ute becoming the latest vehicle to secure a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
HOT TOPIC
// Kia shows off Concept EV9, a window into its SUV future
Kia has (partially) lifted the lift on an upcoming electric seven-seater SUV, having released teaser shots of its Concept EV9 overnight.
- Stuff Motoring says Kia will be fully electric in Europe by 2035
- EVs and Beyond says Kia pledges sustainable mobility and launches EV 9 November
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BEST OF THE REST
// The Integra is back: Acura reveals slick performance sedan
Following a cascade of teaser images and information drops, Hondas American premium arm, Acura, has unveiled its new Integra Prototype in full; marking the nameplates return following a 15-year hiatus.
// First Polestar 2 electric cars arrive in New Zealand
The first Polestar 2s have started to arrive on New Zealand shores, ahead of the new marques test-drive programme. The fully electric sister brand to Volvo announced it would be joining our local market earlier this year.
// Rivian rockets past GM to become 2nd most valuable US carmaker
Rivian Automotive, a company that has delivered about 150 electric pickup trucks mostly to employees, has surpassed General Motors to become the USAs second most valuable automaker.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Joe Isuzu is the best car salesman you’ve never heard of
Isuzu arrived in the US at the start of the 1980s with an advertising budget around a tenth of Toyotas at the time. That meant it had to think somewhat creatively in order to convince the American public to buy its vehicles and that resulted in Joe Isuzu.
// Video: Buy NZ Made showcases FTN Motion e-motorcycle
Wellington electric motorcycle start-up FTN Motion has been showcased by Buy NZ Made in a new video lauding the companys commitment to creating its bikes locally and supporting other local suppliers.
// Rivian adds stand-alone battery plant to post-IPO to-do list
Fresh off a US$12 billion initial public offering, Rivian Automotive is investing in a dizzying array of expansion projects and actively pursuing a site for a stand-alone battery factory in addition to a pair of new vehicle-assembly plants already planned.
// Vaccination mandate not a breach of bill of rights
A Wellington High Court judge has dismissed an application by a group of health professionals to stop a mandate that required them to be vaccinated by November 16.
// Distributors plead emissions case to select committee
Several new vehicle distributors have pleaded the case for more time to the select committee hearing submission on the Land Transport (Clean Vehicles) amendment bill.
// Toyota: Some countries simply aren’t ready for electric cars
One of this week’s biggest stories was the emergence of an agreement document from the United Nations COP26 climate change talks currently being undertaken in the UK.
// Vote for your favourite car
The AA and New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) motoring platform DRIVEN have launched the search for Kiwis’ favourite car.
ONE LINERS
- Expanded Streetfighter family of sexy supernakeds
- High price Holdens going under the hammer in Christchurch
- Trade Me to relist on the stock exchange?
- Future Toyota dealership opens in Hobsonville
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).