HOT TOPIC
// Fiat fails to high-five
Electric car misses out on top safety rating due to adult and child protection, and safety assist scores.
- AutoCar says Fully electric Fiat 500e coming to New Zealand
- EVs and Beyond says Fiat’s electrifying 500e arriving second quarter
HOT TOPIC
// Lexus New Zealand issues recall for 1064 vehicles
Lexus New Zealand has issued a recall for 1064 vehicles over a potential fire risk on a range of models due to a problem with the fuel tank vent tube.
BEST OF THE REST
// Polestar to demonstrate driver monitoring system at CES
Smart Eye and Polestar will demonstrate the Polestar 3 driver monitoring system (DMS) at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2023) at Las Vegas in January.
// Kiwi automotive parts start-up raises $37 million in funding
Partly, the New Zealand-born online automotive parts marketplace has raised $37 million in funding from venture capital firms in Australasia and Europe.
// New online ‘look-up’ system for LVV certification plates
The Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association Inc (LVVTA) has introduced a feature on its website where buyers and sellers can check the stamped aluminium certification plates which were issued by it from April 1992 to February 2021.
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// Helping dealers buy and sell stock, since 2019
With two auctions every week, you can sell your stock to over 600 wholesale buyers, or buy stock from other dealers and some of the largest fleet and rental companies in New Zealand.
- Check out the FAQ for more info
- Or just register for free and have a look at what’s available.
INTERNATIONAL EV NEWS
// Why might the manual gearbox return in some performance EVs?
Performance EV makers may be trying to recreate the sensory experience of the manual gearbox, which by extension triggers combustion-engine nostalgia.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato teased
Teaser images of the upcoming Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato have appeared on the Italian coachbuilder’s Instagram page after having only just announced the car in the days prior.
// Nelson councillors support clean car policy
Nelson City councillors are adopting a clean car policy which will see them ditching gas guzzlers in favour of electric. Stuff reports the councillors voted unanimously for the change at a local meeting on December 15.
// Japan may change car taxes
Parliament’s approval needed to extend tax breaks on low emitters post-2023 and exclude petrol cars from 2025.
// Australian engineering students build record-breaking EV
An Australian solar-powered electric car, designed and built by university students, has claimed a provisional Guinness World Record by going 1000km on a single charge in under 12 hours.
// Leaf lights up Christmas as Nissan celebrates 250,000th vehicle
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (NMMUK) is celebrating the production milestone of 250,000 Leaf vehicles by using one to provide the sparkle for its Christmas display at the Sunderland Plant.
ONE LINERS
- Paul Walker’s BMW M1 sells for $1 million
- Musk’s troubling week pushes Tesla investors closer to the edge
- Asterix is back in a new movie and driving a Citroen 2CV (sort of)
- McLaren confirms stealth fighter tech coming to cars
- The Good Oil: Hennessey Performance Audi RS 6 and the Ultimate Christmas car record
HELPFUL RESOURCES
// NZ Car Dealers Private Facebook Group
A private community for car dealers to vent about the industry and joke about ‘interesting’ customers. A place to rant, debate, ask for help and help others.
// XMAS Deliveries
The Full Brief will be taking a break for 3 weeks over Xmas. The last email will Friday 23rd Dec, and the first for 2023 will be Monday 16th Jan. Have a great Xmas and New Year. Thanks for reading.