HOT TOPIC
// Tesla cuts Model Y Performance price by $5000 as production moves to China
Model Y Performance drops to $95,900 plus ORC in New Zealand as production shifts to Gigafactory Shanghai.
- EVs and Beyond says Tesla’s cheapest Model 3 arrives from $54,900
- Driven Car Guide says Tesla launches cut-price Model 3 for New Zealand, plus updates for Model Y
HOT TOPIC
// BMW reveals new 3 Series with shared petrol and electric styling
BMW reveals the eighth-generation 3 Series with shared petrol and electric styling, two i3 variants and a six-cylinder M350 xDrive.
- EVs and Beyond says BMW’s electric i3 priced from $128,900, with up to 912km of range
- Stuff says BMW 3 Series revealed: 8th-gen icon gets the Neue Klasse treatment
HOT TOPIC
// New dealerships for brand
Marque hails partnership in “significant growth market” and another in provincial New Zealand.
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STATS WEEK
// New car sales surge 28%
Corolla Cross top model in September, while BYD and Tesla climb up marques’ ladder.
// Rental fleets drive 21.8% lift in September new vehicle market
New vehicle registrations totalled 17,055 units in September 2026, up 21.8% on the 13,999 recorded in the same month last year, as rental operators registered 4736 new passenger vehicles ahead of the summer tourist season, 1191 more than a year earlier.
// Rentals boost registrations
MTA says growing popularity of Chinese brands also helped deliver bumper month for sales.
// Used imports climb 13.6% for strongest September since 2023
Used import registrations totalled 8468 units in September 2026, up 13.6% on the 7455 recorded in the same month last year. Passenger volumes made up the bulk of the total at 8005 registrations, up 13.2% year-on-year.
// Used-import market grows 13%
Aqua maintains top spot as sector’s five best-selling models unchanged from previous month.
// Shark climbs into top five
Sales of BYD ute jump 170 per cent as new and used commercial sectors record year-on-year increases.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Mitsubishi Pajero returns to NZ in December from $79,990
Mitsubishi’s Pajero is returning to New Zealand in December, with a two-model, seven-seat range priced from $79,990 plus on-road costs.
// Nissan wants Chinese-partner EVs for New Zealand, but the new Leaf is still on hold
The third-generation Leaf remains on hold for NZ on commercial grounds, while Nissan has its hand up for almost every Dongfeng joint venture model.
// Freelander confirmed for New Zealand launch in 2027
The Chery and JLR-backed Freelander brand will launch here in 2027, led by the range-extended Freelander 8.
// BYD passes 1000 monthly registrations in NZ for the first time
BYD registered 1090 vehicles in New Zealand in September, led by the Atto 2.
// GWM Haval H7 priced from $49,990, arrives next week
The boxy Haval H7 arrives with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, priced from $49,990 to $61,990 plus ORC.
// Nissan NZ here to stay with nine staff and Australian back office, says Milette
Nissan is committed to New Zealand despite restructuring its local operation to nine customer-facing staff, Nissan Oceania managing director Steve Milette says.
// Toyota Certified wins gold in Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards
Toyota Certified is the Gold Winner in the Manufacturer Certified Used Car Sales category of the Reader’s Digest 2027 Quality Service Awards.
// Heartland shareholders back $620m TSB merger
Heartland Group shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the proposed $620 million acquisition of TSB and the subsequent merger of the two banks.
// BP Plus wins Canstar small business fuel card award
BP Plus has received Canstar’s 2026 Most Satisfied Customers Award in the Small Business Fuel Cards category. The fuel card is accepted at more than 400 locations across New Zealand.
// Brian Yanko returns to lead NZ Police Fleet
Brian Yanko has returned to his substantive role as senior manager, fleet at New Zealand Police after almost three years working across the organisation’s wider property and fleet portfolio.
// 2 Cheap offer goes unconditional
David Sena announces all conditions for takeover have been satisfied or waived.
// Push for more women in workforce
Women in Automotive NZ has marked its registration as a charity by releasing two free resources for the sector – a practical hiring guide and workplace self-assessment checklist.
// Corvette Z06 gets big price cut, now $309,990
Chevrolet’s 2027 Corvette Z06 is now available to order in New Zealand, priced at $309,990 and offered exclusively as a build-to-order 3LZ Coupe.
// New Kia Seltos now on sale in NZ, priced from $39,990
Kia’s new-generation Seltos is on sale in New Zealand, with hybrid power across the range and prices starting at $39,990 plus on-road costs.
// Range Rover Sport Electric opens NZ orders with 609km range
New Zealand orders open for the Range Rover Sport Electric, with up to 609km WLTP range, approximately 405kW and a 118.5kWh battery.
// Survey: over 90% of Kiwi drivers say touchscreens add to driver distraction
A NZ poll has found 93% of drivers have experienced touchscreen distraction, with 22.9% saying it happens frequently and close to half (48.5%) occasionally.
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INTERNATIONAL EV NEWS
// US Startup Adds Another 2,000 Electric Trucks To FedEx Delivery Fleet
FedEx has just ordered 2,000 electric trucks from the California startup Harbinger, in yet another indication that the US vehicle electrification movement is still alive and kicking (courtesy of Harbinger).
ONE LINERS
- Toyota drops a caravan on its electric Hilux, and it drives away
- Suzuki plans modular EVs and hybrids to take on Chinese rivals
- Saleen teases widebody Mustang with a towering rear wing
- BMW to add a compact EV in 2028, considers SUV above X7
- Mercedes-Benz puts its star on a new fragrance
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