China has in two years more than tripled its share of New Zealand’s light passenger vehicle sector, that’s new cars and SUVs. Its impact on the vans and utes segment is marked, too. Its emerging presence is obvious, helped of course by the New Zealand-China free trade agreement and an automotive industry subsidised up the wazoo by the Chinese state. The presence on … [Read more...] about Chinese checkers: jumping places in NZ car market
Bond 007 electric car is from China with love
Chinese operatives have stolen the 007 codename of fictional secret service agent James Bond and stuck it on the back of a … CAR THAT RUNS ON BATTERIES! British secret service suits are outraged. Electric cars are one thing, they say, but the 007 numbers are as sacrosanct in MI6 circles as bottles of good claret. Distressed MI6 chief M left the service’s building … [Read more...] about Bond 007 electric car is from China with love
Power cut: sales of EVs down 65%
Despite the evangelical hype about battery-electric (BEV) cars saving the planet, registrations in New Zealand have slumped almost 65.0% in two years. In short, new BEV passenger car regos have either gone through the roof or through the floor. NZ Transport Agency numbers tell the story. In 2022 and 2023, BEV regos totalled 36,703 units – 15,677 for 13.5% of the overall … [Read more...] about Power cut: sales of EVs down 65%
PM Luxon taken for ride in ‘Chinese spy car’
Chinese-built SUVs used to ferry dignitaries around at September’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Honiara were likely equipped to spy for Beijing, Australian government security officials believe. New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon and Australia’s Anthony Albanese were among PIF leaders picked up at Honiara airport and later chauffeured to forum meetings in the Chinese … [Read more...] about PM Luxon taken for ride in ‘Chinese spy car’
China’s ‘creeping takeover’ of Western automotive rivals
Former Stellantis group boss Carlos Tavares warns that Chinese carmakers will end up as “saviours” of European factories and jobs. Tavares (pictured) told Britain’s Financial Times (FT) that a creeping takeover by China will hasten the demise of some western manufacturers as they grapple with stringent emissions regulations, the global trade war and shifting policy on … [Read more...] about China’s ‘creeping takeover’ of Western automotive rivals