HOT TOPIC
// NZ pricing confirmed for Polestar 2 range
Ahead of the arrival of the Polestar 2 electric performance fastback in New Zealand later this year, Polestar has confirmed that both the Standard range Single motor and Long range Single motor models will qualify for the maximum government Clean Car Discount rebate of $8,625.
HOT TOPIC
// Tesla model 3 tops car market in record month
Tesla’s Model 3 was the top passenger car delivered in the month of September according to NZ Transport Agency statistics released this week.
HOT TOPIC
// Ports of Auckland appoints Jan Dawson as chair
Ports of Auckland’s board has elected Jan Dawson as its new chair following the retirement of previous chair Bill Osborne.
- AutoFile says Port’s board appoints chair
HOT TOPIC
// Honda sees its future in air taxis, rockets and moon robots
Car and motorbike maker Honda Motor Co. is positioning itself for a vertical takeoff. The Tokyo-based company is embarking on efforts to field a new electric-hybrid air taxi, a robot with human-like hands that may one day toil on the moon and a reusable rocket to carry small satellites into space more economically.
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// Help your customers avoid expensive repair bills
Autosure mechanical breakdown insurance is available for petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles, and includes AA Roadservice Cover to give your customers peace of mind driving.
BEST OF THE REST
// New MG motor corporate identity revealed
MG Motor has revealed a new global corporate identity which it says will lead the company into its second century.
// New vehicle market’s efforts rewarded with massive September result
The new vehicle industry and dealer staff deserve a pat on the back for its work in September it appears, with a near-record result despite COVID conditions.
// Import market defies lockdown with moderate result
We are not going to argue that it didn’t hurt, but the used import market appears to have beaten the worst of the lockdown by delivering more 80% of the volume than it did at the same time last year.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Is this render the stillborn Chevrolet Camaro Z/28?
The Chevrolet Camaro appears to be a nameplate wedged firmly between a rock and a hard place. As previously reported, the model has been on struggle street for a few years now thanks to slumping sales relative to the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger.
// Electric Vehicle etiquette: pressing chargers
To unplug or not to unplug? That is the EV question… or just one of them. There are so many unwritten society rules, with the increase of plug-in cars, and their relatively long refueling times, it does raise issues and potential conflict.
// ABB launches world’s fastest EV charger
ABB is launching an all-in-one Electric Vehicle (EV) charger, which its says provides the fastest charging experience yet available on the market.
// All Mazdas to be either partially or fully electrified by 2030
Mazda has announced that all of its models will be electrified to some extent by 2030.
// The new smartphone app that dials in better driving
A new risk management app that uses smartphone-based telematics brings claims of a 25 per cent reduction in accident rates in the first 12 months.
// Dealer numbers drop
New trader register figures reveal a fourth consecutive month of decline.
// An EV with Drift Mode? Genesis reveals GV60 in full
Earlier this year Hyundai’s luxury arm, Genesis, unveiled its first electric car; the GV60. Following in the footsteps of its…
// This is the Peugeot ute you didn’t know you wanted
Forget massive high-riding American trucks, the ute you really want is the one-of-six Peugeot 505 Pick-Up Double Cabine Gruau.
// Silicon Valley answer to the EV question calls for less silicon
As automakers scramble to make electric vehicles with longer ranges and speedier charging times, the chip industry has a message for them: You’re doing it wrong.
// New mod turns your Toyota Hilux into a macho monster
It used to be that, if you were wanting to buy a vehicle for the purposes of modification, you’d pick…
// Toyota banks on mobility technology for future growth
Japanese automaker Toyota is revving up acquisitions in mobility technology, adding Renovo Motors Inc., a Silicon Valley software developer, to its Woven Planet team, which is working on automated driving.
// Never fear, BattMan is here!
Never fear, BattMan is here! VW’s “Battery Monitoring Analysis Necessity,” or BattMan, software sets out to help the brand recycle automotive batteries.
ONE LINERS
- The Good Oil: When Spielberg met Lexus
- Rare Ford Cortina up for auction (yes, rare)
- Legendary Subaru rally car sells for massive amount in Bitcoin
- Watch: NISMO launches online factory store in NZ
- Mazda NZ set to plant 5 trees for every new car it sells
- GREEN SPECIAL: 10 things you didn’t know about BMW EVs
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).