HOT TOPIC
// Jess Bala departs GM Australia and New Zealand
General Motors Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala is leaving the company after a two-decade GM career, with sales and operations director Greg Rowe stepping in as acting managing director.
- Autofile says GM’s New Zealand boss moves on
HOT TOPIC
// Car import volumes soar
Strong growth in volumes has driven a record profit for Port of Auckland.
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BEST OF THE REST
// BYD NZ to launch certified pre-owned programme, import its own used vehicles from Japan
BYD New Zealand will launch a certified pre-owned programme, taking back the brand’s earliest New Zealand-new vehicles as they cycle off fleets, and backing them with a BYD New Zealand warranty.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Eagers to sell NZ new car dealerships, keep easyauto123
Eagers Automotive will sell its New Zealand franchised dealership business, putting some of Auckland’s most iconic dealerships under new ownership, while retaining its easyauto123 used-car operation.
// Vehicles drive rise in imports
The value of imported vehicles, parts and accessories totalled $1.2 billion last month, an increase of $328 million, or 37.5%, compared with July 2025.
// ‘No more boring cars’: Toyota NZ elevates GR to brand pillar with local launch
Toyota New Zealand is elevating Gazoo Racing to a standalone pillar of its local brand structure as it highlights the transformation from what it describes as making “boring cars” 20 years ago.
// AutoTalk Live! Christchurch adds FMA add-on insurance panel
AutoTalk Live! has added a panel session on the Financial Markets Authority’s review of add-on insurance and extended warranties to its Christchurch programme.
// Heartland’s $620m TSB deal clears Toi Foundation hurdle
Heartland’s $620 million acquisition of TSB Bank has cleared its biggest hurdle, with Toi Foundation trustees voting in favour of the sale.
// BYD considering M9 people mover for New Zealand, with rental fleets the target
BYD is considering its new M9 people mover for New Zealand, with rental fleets rather than private buyers the likely route to market.
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INTERNATIONAL EV NEWS
// Cameras ‘Aren’t Enough’: Waymo Takes A Swipe At Tesla’s Self-Driving Strategy
One of Waymo’s top engineers says cameras are “not enough” for autonomous driving, taking aim at Tesla’s camera-led strategy.
ONE LINERS
- Ford’s Chinese-built Bronco New Energy spotted testing in Australia ahead of launch
- Hyundai targets 60% electrified sales by 2030 as new battery tech doubles output
- Hyundai confirms 965km extended-range Santa Fe, with Genesis to follow
- Geely developing 1,000V architecture to beat its own 5.5-minute charge
- Volkswagen weighs major restructure as costs bite
- Porsche 911 Challenge opens a new route into customer racing
- Lamborghini Temerario revives Tricolore badge after 15 years
- Australian trial results strengthen case for rubber in NZ roads
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