HOT TOPIC
Honda reveals all-new HR-V, hybrid could come to NZ
The best-selling vehicle in Honda New Zealand’s arsenal has been unveiled overnight, and it could be bringing electrification to the mix in local showrooms.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/honda-reveals-all-new-hr-v-hybrid-could-come-to-nz
Honda unveils all-new HR-V hybrid SUV
Honda has revealed the all-new compact HR-V hybrid SUV which is also known as the Vezel Hybrid in some export markets.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/honda-unveils-all-new-hr-v-hybrid-suv
Honda reveals new HR-V SUV
Honda has taken the wraps off its new generation of HR-V small SUV, complete with a new, standard hybrid powertrain.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/124296952/honda-reveals-new-hrv-suv
HOT TOPIC
Colonial Motor Company half year profit up 58%
The Colonial Motor Company has posted trading profit after tax of $12.7 million for the six months to December 31, up 58% on the same period last year.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/colonial-motor-company-half-year-profit-up-58
Late surge lifts Colonial’s profit
Company reports half-year trading profit of $12.715m – up by 58 per cent on the same period in 2020 as interim dividend resumes.
https://autofile.co.nz/late-surge-lifts-colonials-profit-
HOT TOPIC
Judge fines VINZ for safety breach following customer’s death
Vehicle Inspections New Zealand (VINZ) has been ordered to pay a fine and reparations totalling more than $500,000 for an incident at its Hamilton station last year that saw a customer hit by a car, later dying from their injuries.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/judge-fines-vinz-for-safety-breach-following-customers-death
VINZ to pay $500k over tragedy
Company hauled before court after an accident at its Hamilton testing station led to a customer’s death.
https://autofile.co.nz/vinz-to-pay-500k-over-tragedy-
HOT TOPIC
Nissan goes edgy with new Qashqai crossover
In one of the worst-kept secrets of recent motoring years, Nissan has finally formally unveiled its new Qashqai compact crossover — months after it had already debuted overseas as the US-badged Nissan Rogue.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/nissan-goes-edgy-with-new-qashqai-crossover
Qashqai SUV revealed with lots of edges
Hot on the heels of its new platform-mate, the Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan has revealed the new third generation of the Qashqai.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/124297809/qashqai-suv-revealed-with-lots-of-edges
HOT TOPIC
Consumer reports names its 10 best cars for 2021
Every year, noted US data firm Consumer Reports issues its top 10 picks — 10 of its vehicular picks across 10 different classes of vehicle.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/consumer-reports-names-its-10-best-cars-for-2021
Kia, Lexus, and Porsche top J.D. Power vehicle reliability survey
Kia has been named the most trouble-free mainstream brand in a highly respected US quality survey, just shading Toyota in the rankings.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/kia-lexus-and-porsche-top-j-d-power-vehicle-reliability-survey/
PODCAST
The great Ferrari debate is settled! Zooming with DRIVEN
For a couple of weeks now, there has been a lot of debate within the DRIVEN as to which Ferrari is the best. And we’re happy to report that the debate has finally been solved, and unsurprisingly, Sam was wrong.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/watch-the-great-ferrari-debate-is-settled-zooming-with-driven/
OUR PICK
World’s first hydrogen hypercar looks even crazier in the flesh
First announced late last year, the Hyperion XP-1 prototype sounded to crazy to be real.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/world-s-first-hydrogen-hypercar-looks-even-crazier-in-the-flesh/
IN OTHER NEWS
Clean200 leaves dirty energy in dust
EV manufacturers and green energy are included in Carbon Clean 200 publicly traded companies leading the way among global peers to a clean energy future.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/clean200-leaves-dirty-energy-in-dust/
Eaton takes on EV challenges
Power management company Eaton’s Vehicle Group is developing gearing solutions for electrified vehicles.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/eaton-takes-on-ev-challenges/
Electricarna to showcase EVs
EVs star in the Electricarna festival in New Plymouth on February 27.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/electricarna-to-showcase-evs/
Europe’s e-motorcycle market accelerates
Europe’s electric motorcycle market is expected to grow at least 50% year-on-year through the 2020s.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/europes-e-motorcycle-market-accelerates/
New SUV to slash emissions
Domestic demand for Volvo’s plug-in hybrid tipped to be strong as marque looks to an electric future.
https://autofile.co.nz/new-suv-to-slash-emissions-
Subaru rumoured to start spin-off adventure brand called ‘wilderness’
As we start to see more car-makers lean into the off-road adventure ute market with products like the Ford Ranger Raptor, Subaru appears primed to do its own market pandering in the form of a new adventure-focused spin-off brand.
Bentley bucks trend, records huge sales thanks to China
Although some car manufacturers are still licking their wounds following the Covid-19 pandemic and its ramifications, Bentley doesn’t appear to be one of them.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/bentley-bucks-trend-records-huge-sales-thanks-to-china
Counterfeit car parts still a ‘worrying trend’ in New Zealand
Counterfeit car parts continue to be an issue on both sides of the ditch, according to experts in both Australia and New Zealand.
No diesel for Outlander SUV, but a plug is coming
Mitsubishi might have finally revealed its all-new Outlander SUV recently, with confirmation that it will sit on the same underpinnings as the Nissan X-Trail and use the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and continuously variable transmission, but there was no official mention of a plug-in hybrid or a diesel.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/124289236/no-diesel-for-outlander-suv-but-a-plug-is-coming
Yamaha seems to be readying an MT-07 based sports bike
Yamaha has semi-discontinued its longstanding R6 over in Europe, now only selling it as a non-homologated, track-only model thanks to stringent emissions rules.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/124303020/yamaha-seems-to-be-readying-an-mt07-based-sports-bike
Quick Charge 20/02/21: this week in EV news
Ford is promising to convert its entire European passenger vehicle lineup to electric power by 2030, spending US$1 billion to revamp its factory in Cologne, Germany and make it a base for production of battery powered cars using Volkswagen’s electric underpinnings.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/evs/124248197/quick-charge-200221-this-week-in-ev-news
Automotive trade customers embrace e-commerce solution
Bapcor has developed a completely new and user-friendly e-commerce solution for its New Zealand based trade customers.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/automotive-trade-customers-embrace-e-commerce-solution
Peugeot expand its NZ line-up with two new SUVs and a spicy hatch
Like most manufacturers around the world, Peugeot is gearing up for a rather large 2021, off the back of a sad 2020. The introduction of three new models is a perfect example of this.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/peugeot-expand-its-nz-line-up-with-two-new-suvs-and-a-spicy-hatch/