Thailand Feels Brunt of Falling Australian Car Sales
Australia imported nearly 146,600 fewer vehicles from overseas suppliers in 2020, and nearly 57,000 fewer from its major trading partner Thailand, as new vehicle sales fell for the third consecutive year.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/thailand-feels-brunt-of-falling-australian-car-sales
Palisade Out to Stretch Large SUV Boundaries
Hyundai is throwing down the gauntlet to large SUV sector players with the Palisade which hits New Zealand showrooms this month.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/palisade-out-to-stretch-large-suv-boundaries
EVs Exceed 24,000
EV registrations continue a steady but not spectacular climb in December EV registration figures just released by the Ministry of Transport.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/evs-exceed-24000/
EVs Help Global Auto Sales
Sales of electrified vehicles have boosted both BMW and Renault. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales rose 38.9% while fully electric sales increased 13% last year compared to 2019, reflecting strong customer interest, BMW Group says.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/evs-help-global-auto-sales/
Video: Hyundai Teases Ioniq 5
Hyundai has given some indications about its electric Ioniq 5 midsize SUV which premieres globally in February.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/video-hyundai-teases-ioniq-5/
GM Targets Delivery Industry With New Business Plus EV Van
General Motors has announced a new EV van to be released this year as part of a new business focusing on delivery and logistics with FedEx Express its very first customer.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/gm-targets-delivery-industry-with-new-business-plus-ev-van/
ABB Opens Global E-Mobility R&D Centre
ABB’s US$10 million E-mobility Innovation Lab has opened in the Netherlands, underlining its market leading position in EV charging infrastructure.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/abb-opens-global-e-mobility-rd-centre/
Joint Venture Targets Hydrogen LCV Market
Groupe Renault and Plug Power will develop hydrogen fuel cell systems (FCEVs) targeting more than 30% of Europe’s FCEV light commercial vehicle market.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/joint-venture-targets-hydrogen-lcv-market/
About 20,000 Porsche Taycans Delivered
All-electric Taycan deliveries of 20,015 last year helped Porsche achieve a strong global result. The brand delivered 272,162 new vehicles worldwide in 2020, just 3% below a record 2019, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic challenges.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/about-20000-porsche-taycans-delivered/
Energy Storage’s Future Investigated
Electricity generation from renewable energies is growing daily and, to integrate their variable nature, energy storage systems are growing in parallel.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/energy-storages-future-investigated/
Real Life Tron: Hyundai Teases Futuristic, Electric Ioniq 5
Hyundai’s assault of new model releases looks set to continue into 2021. Hot on the heels of the new Sonata, i20, i20 N, i30 N, Tucson, Kona EV, Kona N-Line, and more, the firm has confirmed that the reveal of its new Ioniq 5 is imminent.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/real-life-tron-hyundai-teases-futuristic-electric-ioniq-5
Ford Mondeo Set to Become an SUV?
It’s one of the sole remaining traditional three-box sedan and wagon platforms on the market, but that may not be the case for the Ford Mondeo.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/ford-mondeo-set-to-become-an-suv
Revealed: China’s Latest EV Could be a Tesla Model S Killer
The phrase ‘Tesla killer’ gets wheeled out too often these days — bestowed upon any start-up EV concept, and the odd Porsche. But, this sleek new sedan from Chinese carmaker Nio might actually be deserving of the title.
Hyundai’s $119,990 Super SUV Lands in New Zealand
Six months on from confirmation that it would be offered locally, Hyundai’s giant seven-seater Palisade SUV has landed in New Zealand. And the Korean firm’s local arm has confirmed full specs and pricing, to boot.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/hyundai-s-119-990-super-suv-lands-in-new-zealand
Renault to bring back classic models as EVs
The plans will be officially confirmed later this week but, if these details from Reuters are accurate, Renault is looking to revive two classic models as fully electric vehicles.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/123924091/renault-to-bring-back-classic-models-as-evs
Volkswagen triples electric car sales ahead of climate rules
utomaker Volkswagen tripled sales of battery-only cars in 2020 as its new electric compact ID.3 came on the market ahead of tough new European Union limits on auto emissions.
Abarth’s spicy little 595 gains new tech, and ‘Scorpion’ mode for 2021
While it’s based on Fiat’s iconic 500 hatch, the Abarth 595 is a different beast entirely, featuring more aggressive styling, and a spicy little powerplant that will leave you grinning ear to ear.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/abarth-s-spicy-little-595-gains-new-tech-and-scorpion-mode-for-2021/
NZ-built bargain: This $60K Lamborghini blends Italian style and Kiwi ingenuity
Known as one of the most radically-styled cars of its time, the Lamborghini Countach is still one of the most wild-looking vehicles to grace this earth, but as with all Italian exotics, they don’t come cheap.
Meet Hyundai New Zealand’s $120k, eight-seat Palisade super-SUV
And you thought the $90k Santa Fe Limited was extravagant. Hyundai New Zealand is taking its SUV offering to the next level with the “upper-large” Palisade, an imposing machine originally designed with the American market in mind (hence the name, referencing Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles) but also now developed in right-hand drive “primarily for for Australasia”, says Hyundai.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/meet-hyundai-new-zealand-s-120k-eight-seat-palisade-super-suv/
Watch: Hyundai teases high-performance Kona N, confirms turbo mill
A new breed of affordable performance cars is around the corner. Compact SUVs represent the fastest-growing segment in the new car sales race, and manufacturers are working to introduce high-performance versions of popular crossovers.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/watch-hyundai-teases-high-performance-kona-n-confirms-turbo-mill/
Does Chevrolet have a Corvette-based electric SUV in the works?
While it doesn’t sound like the world’s most interesting seminar, the GM had some exciting news to share at the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show relating to a few of its new models.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/does-chevrolet-have-a-corvette-based-electric-suv-in-the-works/