STATS WEEK
// Zeekr 7X tops EV sales in steady February market
Electric and hybrid vehicles continued to grow their presence in New Zealand’s new vehicle market in February as overall registrations increased year-on-year, according to Motor Industry Association (MIA) data.
- Autofile says Market on ‘firmer footing’
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BEST OF THE REST
// China becomes Australia’s top vehicle source as market dips 4.5% in February
China has overtaken Japan as Australia’s largest source of new vehicles for the first time in a single month, according to the latest figures.
IN OTHER NEWS
// BYD Sealion 8 arrives as brand’s flagship plug-in hybrid SUV
BYD has expanded its New Zealand line-up with the arrival of the Sealion 8, a seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV positioned as the brand’s flagship model.
// NZ cleantech firm Mint Innovation partners with HP on recycled copper e-waste
New Zealand-based cleantech company Mint Innovation, which is developing technology to recycle critical materials from electric vehicle batteries, has announced a new partnership with HP.
// MITO marks return to industry ownership with Parliament event
MITO has marked its return to industry ownership with an event at Parliament attended by industry leaders, Members of Parliament and representatives from across the vocational education sector.
// Dunedin’s Cooke Howlison Toyota wins national supreme award
Cooke Howlison Toyota from Dunedin has been named the Toyota Supreme Award winner at the 2025 Toyota & Lexus Business Excellence Awards, celebrated on Waiheke Island last weekend.
// Illegal tyre dumping in Palmerston North nearly halves after Tyrewise launch
Illegal tyre dumping in Palmerston North has fallen sharply following the introduction of New Zealand’s nationwide tyre recycling scheme, Tyrewise.
// AutoTalk Live returns with a focus on dealer performance
AutoTalk Live will return to Auckland on May 5, 2026, with a renewed focus on dealer performance and long-term growth.
// Luxury brand NZ-bound
Plans for a Chinese carmaker’s arrival have been announced by Auto Distribution Holdings, part of Armstrong Motor Group and the New Zealand distributor for BAIC models.
// Car loan defaults at two-year high
The percentage of consumers falling behind on vehicle loan payments has hit a two-year high of 6.2 per cent of active credit accounts, according to new figures from Centrix.
// EV3 claims national honour
The Kia EV3 has been named the 2026 New Zealand Car of the Year by the New Zealand Motoring Writers Guild.
// Extended-range Geely EX5 may face delay for NZ arrival
New Zealand buyers could be waiting until late 2026 to get their hands on Geely’s updated EX5.
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INTERNATIONAL EV NEWS
// Aptera celebrates the 3-wheeled electric vehicle of the future
The California-based electric vehicle startup Aptera has just achieved a new milestone for its solar-enabled autocycle.
ONE LINERS
- Nokian’s new winter tyre can switch studs on and off
- Hellcat V8 engine to return to Dodge Charger by 2028
- Stellantis posts $44b full-year loss as strategic reset costs mount
- Manhart gives BMW’s V12 7-Series a final old-school upgrade
- Bentley Bentayga X Concept drifts into spotlight at Fat Ice Race 2026
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