HOT TOPIC
// Petrol prices drive annual inflation to 3.7%
Petrol prices rose 19.1% in the year to the September 2026 quarter, making fuel the largest contributor to New Zealand’s annual inflation rate, according to Stats NZ.
- Autofile says Petrol prices push up inflation
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// Stop overpaying for vehicle reports.
CarJam dealer pricing makes the savings easy to see: comprehensive vehicle reports from $4.40*, WOF & rego checks for just 20c*, and free cached reports for around 80% of vehicles. Visit CarJam to compare pricing and see why more dealers are making the switch.
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BEST OF THE REST
// Avanti puts O’Reilly’s Garage into receivership
Avanti Finance has put Petone luxury car dealer O’Reilly’s Garage into receivership, appointing Iain Shephard and Jessica Kellow of BDO Wellington as receivers and managers on 21 October.
// Crawford Motorcycles creditors owed more than $535k
Creditors of Crawford Motorcycles Limited are owed more than $535,000, with the liquidator expecting no funds will be available for preferential or unsecured creditors.
// No surprise as Tesla cancels Cybertruck for New Zealand and Australia
Tesla has emailed NZ and Australian reservation holders to say Cybertruck production for both markets has been discontinued, with full refunds of deposits.
IN OTHER NEWS
// Chery to tune its EVs and plug-in hybrids locally through Australian R&D centre
Chery is creating an Australian R&D centre to adapt its EVs, plug-in hybrids and new brands to local roads, with New Zealand models expected to benefit.
// ChargeNet takes over four Northland charging sites, with new pricing from 30 October
ChargeNet has taken over EV chargers in Paihia, Tutukaka, Whangārei and Mangawhai from Job Complete and EV Transport. Pricing moves to $0.90 per kWh from 30 October.
// BYD cuts EV and plug-in hybrid prices to below pre-July levels
BYD New Zealand has cut prices on 17 EV and PHEV variants by $2,000 to $4,000 until 31 December, below pre-July levels. Full price table for Atto, Sealion and Shark 6.
// BYD NZ fleet data shows a rarely charged Shark 6 PHEV emits nearly three times as much
Real-world BYD NZ fleet data: a Shark 6 PHEV charged twice emitted 205g CO2e/km against 71g/km for one charged 59 times. BEVs came in at 9 to 14g/km.
// Heartland to donate $60 per Giltrap finance deal for 60th anniversary
Heartland Bank will donate $60 for every settled finance application through Giltrap Group dealerships until 30 November.
// $350k of scholarships on offer
MITO invites applications from people in a range of trades wanting to build their skills.
// University of Auckland’s $125 million engineering facility to honour Bruce McLaren
The University of Auckland has announced a new $125 million engineering facility, which will be named after Bruce McLaren.
// Bentley Torcal NZ pricing confirmed, orders open
The local order book for Bentley’s first fully electric model — the Torcal — is officially open with the brand’s local arm also confirming the plug-in SUV’s New Zealand pricing, at least at the entry level.
// BMW reveals NZ pricing for all-new X5
BMW New Zealand has revealed full pricing and spec details for its upcoming all-new X5 SUV, ahead of its arrival in showrooms in the first quarter of next year.
SPONSORED BY EV POWER
// Selling EVs? The Handover Just Got Easier
Charging cables, plugs, installation, safety… new EV owners have plenty of questions, and your sales team doesn’t always have time to answer them all.
Now there’s a free booklet that explains the basics for you.
The Basics Booklet is a handy, glovebox-sized guide that gives your customers clear, practical answers they can take home and refer to whenever they need. With separate editions for Type 1, Type 2 and NACS vehicles, you can give every EV customer information that’s relevant to their vehicle.
Best of all, the booklets are completely free for dealers to give to their EV customers.
See what’s inside => View sample booklet pages
INTERNATIONAL EV NEWS
// Is A PHEV Diesel Hybrid A Viable Option? Introducing the Chery Stockman
I was intrigued by the recent announcement from Chery that they were going to import a diesel plugin hybrid ute to Australia.
ONE LINERS
- Confirmed: Honda’s first body-on-frame ute to be based on Mitsubishi Triton
- Lepas Aura shooting brake concept revealed, with electric and range-extender versions expected
- BYD reaches 150,000 deliveries in Australia with a Seal 6 Touring PHEV
- Inchcape cuts margin outlook as Australian volumes halve
- Chery boss expects many Chinese carmakers to disappear
- AMG explores petrol and electric futures for the next C63
- Subaru teases new WRX with STI six-speed manual
- Benda Rover 500: Chinese motorcycle unveiled with curious name
- 2027 Freelander 8 review, quick drive
- GM says AI is halving the time it takes to develop a new car
- Why owning your vehicles might be costing you more than you think
- Omoda X revealed with night vision and a tougher SUV look
- Chery’s iCaur has no diesel or ute planned, looks beyond boxy styling
- Leapmotor starts B10 production in Spain, with B05 next
- Skoda puts free 3D-printable cabin accessories online
SPONSORED BY RADIO RECYCLERS
// Dealers: cash for removed JDM radios and JDM EV charger cables
Swapping out Japanese head units, nav screens or Jap EV charger cables on your imports? Don’t bin them – turn them into cash. Radio Recyclers buys them, any brand, and collects free from your yard, with regular runs to nearly every city in NZ. Cash paid, no hassle. Call or text Shane on 021 742 634 to book a pickup.
Book a free pickup – call or text Shane
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