SPECIAL REPORT
// Current National New Car Deals Revealed
A complete list of current National deals for new cars, utes, and light commercials. Offers including pricing specials, ‘free extras’ deals, or special financing terms.
HOT TOPIC
// Over 9000! Ferrari’s 812 ‘Limited Edition’ features the brand’s highest-revving engine
To create an engine that’s capable of over 600kW without any form of forced induction takes an incredible amount of skill, but to make one that can also spin at over 9000 revolutions per minute takes even more.
// Ferrari unveils its most powerful v12 road car of all time
You’d presume that a car with a name like ‘Superfast’ would already be a pinnacle model, never to be trumped by some kind of special edition.
HOT TOPIC
// Used-car prices climb
A growing demand for second-hand cars has been vital to lifting the CPI. The price of buying used cars has increased by the highest annual amount in nearly a decade, according to new figures from Stats NZ.
// Kiwi used-car prices explode over supply and demand
While NZ Autocar predominantly loves talking about the latest and greatest in motoring, it can be fun to look at the second-hand market every now and again
HOT TOPIC
// Big trouble in china for Tesla
Tesla’s now getting criticism in China following a dream run there. A woman jumped on the roof of an EV at Tesla’s Auto Shanghai 2021 display yelling she almost died because of brake failure
// Tesla says sorry as disquiet in China climbs after protest
After a dream run that saw it receive backing from the highest levels of the Chinese state, Tesla is getting a reality check
HOT TOPIC
// Volvo tackles electric vehicle battery recycling
It’s no secret that recycling batteries from electric cars is a complicated topic, but it’s one much more promise now than just a few years ago.
// Volvo to re-use EV batteries
Volvo Cars has launched new initiatives to re-use EV batteries to store solar and hydro power and charge e-bikes.
HOT TOPIC
// Volkswagen’s updated Polo revealed with fresh looks and new tech
Over the past year or so, Volkswagen has been rolling out updates across its fleet, normalising its bold new design language across every vehicle.
// Volkswagen gives Polo the Golf treatment with update
Volkswagen is in the midst of a grand overhaul of its line-up, with the aim of getting each of them on the same design page as the new Mk8 Golf.
BEST OF THE REST
// Kia has given the Cerato a mid-life spruce-up
The Kia Cerato has been given an update, consisting of fresh looks and more technology.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Beam ‘pops’ the driving habit for earth day
E-mobility firm Beam introduced an Earth Day (April 22) campaign called “Let’s Pop The Driving Habit” where balloons were filled with air equivalent to the CO2 produced by 10km of car travel
// Make apprenticeship scheme permanent: MTA
The Government should make Apprenticeship Boost a permanent scheme following education minister Chris Hipkins announcing a 17% increase in apprenticeships from 2019 to 2020
// Insurance brokers and banks under MBIE microscope
Under proposed financial markets legislation, bank tellers will no longer have set sales targets and intermediaries such as insurance brokers will also be more stringently regulated says the Ministry of Business,
// Vector extends EV charger trial
Vector has extended its Auckland EV smart charging trial by a year with participants also increased from 120 to 200 people.
// Huge response to Christchurch e-aircraft display
More than 6000 people visited Christchurch’s main public library Tūranga during its Take Charge Christchurch battery electric aircraft event on April 17 and 18.
// VINZ welcomes new managers
Industry veterans step into key roles as company looks to provide extra focus on different parts of its business.
// Chevy plan to cram world’s most powerful n/a v8 in Corvette
It’s really still in its life-cycle infancy, yet Chevrolet’s new Corvette C8 is already classed by many as something of a world beater.
// Chinese firm’s new car is a giant air purifier on wheels
In this age of petrol bans and government regulations being hurried through, let this be a timely reminder of the fact that cars are a source of fun.
// Is the Skoda Superb NZ’s quickest cop car?
Bring up the New Zealand Police department’s new Skoda wheels and you’re likely to get one of two responses.
// Great Wall sub-brand reveals twin cat electric attack
Great Wall’s Ora sub-brand has revealed two new EVs at the Shanghai Auto Show this week – the retro-tastic Punk Cat and the not-at-all-Porsche-like Lightning Cat.
// $300K hybrid: This Porsche Panamera might be the best way to save the planet
As fuel prices slowly rise, and emission standards get tighter, the majority of drivers are looking into electrification of some kind on the transportation front, be that either hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric.
// It’s happening: Toyota is serious about building an electric ute
Earlier this week, Toyota used the Shanghai Auto Show to reveal its bold plans around bringing a range of electric vehicles to the international market under the ‘Beyond Zero’ badge.