HOT TOPIC
Motor Industry Association – Monthly Registrations
On or about the first working day of each month the Association issues a press statement which provides commentary on the past month’s sales statistics.
https://www.mia.org.nz/Press-Releases
The comeback continues: the best February ever for new vehicle registrations
New car sales continue their strong start to 2021 with February registrations setting a new record as stock continues to flow into the country.
Feb new market sales best on record
Despite trading restrictions and ongoing logistical delays, the new vehicle month has recorded its best February on record.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/feb-new-market-sales-best-on-record
Hilux overtakes Ranger in biggest-ever February for New Zealand new-vehicle sales
Toyota claimed both the biggest market share (expected) and the number one new-vehicle spot (now that’s news) for the biggest-ever February registration result on record for New Zealand.
NZ records strongest February in history for car sales
There were plenty of thoughts that January’s incredible stat as the third best January for new-car registrations in New Zealand history wouldn’t be repeated, but here we are a month later
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/nz-records-strongest-february-in-history-for-car-sales
HOT TOPIC
Finance company in $2.8m settlement
Commerce Commission rebukes Moola over likely breaches of Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
https://autofile.co.nz/finance-company-in-28m-settlement-
Online lender Moola in $2.8m settlement deal
High cost short term lender Moola.co.nz Limited (trading as Moola) has agreed a settlement with the Commerce Commission where it is required to credit or refund approximately $2.8 million
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/online-lender-moola-in-2-8m-settlement-deal
HOT TOPIC
Volvo cars all-electric by 2030
Volvo Cars aims to be a fully electric car company by 2030 with the first of its all-electric models available here this year.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/volvo-cars-all-electric-by-2030
Goodbye gas: Volvo to make only electric vehicles by 2030
Volvo says it will make only electric vehicles by 2030. But if you want one, you’ll have to buy it online. The Swedish automaker said Tuesday that it is phasing out the production of all cars with internal combustion engines – including hybrids.
HOT TOPIC
Volvo unveils the C40, an electric coupe-shaped SUV
It was a big night for everyone’s favourite Swedish car manufacturer, Volvo. It confirmed what many suspected, that it would be going fully electric by 2030.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/volvo-unveils-the-c40-an-electric-coupe-shaped-suv
Volvo launches new all-electric SUV
Hot on the heels of a pledge to go fully electric by 2030, Volvo has launched its second all-electric SUV.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/evs/124416225/volvo-launches-new-allelectric-suv
HOT TOPIC
World car of the Year finalists revealed, more support for EVs
World Car of the Year organisers have unveiled their comprehensive list of finalists across a range of different classes for their 2021 festivities, with finalists for the grand prize originating from Germany, Japan, and Korea.
World EV of the Year included in 2022 world car awards
A new highlight of the 2022 World Car Awards will be the debut of the World Electric Vehicle of the Year award.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/world-ev-of-the-year-included-in-2022-world-car-awards/
BEST OF THE REST
Volkswagen’s electric Kombi to be brand’s first autonomous vehicle
While Volkswagen might be one of the biggest automotive brands on earth, it has taken the German giant a few years to jump on the electric vehicle buzz, with its first one releasing late last year.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/volkswagen-s-electric-kombi-to-be-brand-s-first-autonomous-vehicle/
IN OTHER NEWS
Hilux leads Aussie new vehicle sales
The Toyota Hilux remained Australia’s best-selling new vehicle in February 2021 outselling the second-placed Ford Ranger by 1908 units.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/hilux-leads-aussie-new-vehicle-sales
MG issues challenge to Mitsubishi in PHEV market
MG has launched its new plug-in hybrid version of the HS SUV, throwing a challenge to Mitsubishi in the process.
https://autotalk.co.nz/news/mg-issues-challenge-to-mitsubishi-in-phev-market
Daimler truck and Volvo complete fuel cell joint venture
Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group have completed the transaction of their hydrogen fuel cell joint venture.
https://evsandbeyond.co.nz/daimler-truck-and-volvo-complete-fuel-cell-joint-venture/
ANCAP under fire: safety firm slammed over zero-star test
One of this week’s biggest stories was yesterday’s announcement that the Mitsubishi Express van had been given a zero-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/ancap-under-fire-safety-firm-slammed-over-zero-star-test
Hyundai unveils new compact SUV, but not for NZ
Two days after Hyundai global teased its new Bayon compact crossover, it unveiled it in full — revealing a diminutive, sculpted entry to an increasingly competitive segment.
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/hyundai-unveils-new-compact-suv-but-not-for-nz
Cars under level 3: what you can and can’t do
We are back in level 3. Like it or not, that means we have to stay home and only travel for essential reasons.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/124405592/cars-under-level-3-what-you-can-and-cant-do
BMW tuner ‘fixes’ M4 coupe’s controversial front end
Over the decades, BMW’s design has also been quite progressive, with many criticising the cars at the time, only to come round to the ‘timeless’ designs years later.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/bmw-tuner-fixes-m4-coupe-s-controversial-front-end/
Hyundai unveils its smallest hybrid SUV yet
Just when we thought that Hyundai’s SUV line-up couldn’t add any extra models, the Korean brand goes and slots another one in below the Kona.
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/hyundai-unveils-its-smallest-hybrid-suv-yet/