Tesla founder Elon Musk says the turmoil over Brexit was behind his decision to build the company’s next-generation electric car battery plant in Germany instead of Britain. The switch to a site near Berlin comes as a blow to Britain, which is fighting to maintain its carmaking industry in the face of sweeping technological change. “Brexit made it too risky to put a … [Read more...] about Brexit turmoil behind Tesla’s switch from UK to Germany
On the road again – with a luxury solar-powered caravan
US company Living Vehicle has been building solar-powered caravans for Americans who want to hit the road and not rely on plugging in at campsites or recreation vehicle parks. Now it has launched its 2020 model, an 8.5m-long luxury trailer with pretty much everything you need in a home away from home. Solar panels on its roof charge an automotive-grade lithium battery … [Read more...] about On the road again – with a luxury solar-powered caravan
New Isuzu D-Max: NZ outlet will know more when it knows more
Murray Greenhalgh might be the general manager of Isuzu Utes NZ, but he can be forgiven for not knowing much about the new 2020 model D-Max. Japanese parent company executives at the Isuzu plant in Thailand don’t do shop talk, certainly not with its 120 global distributors. “I’ve been in boardrooms at the factory and asked about it (D-Max) and have had the blank stare … [Read more...] about New Isuzu D-Max: NZ outlet will know more when it knows more
When Rodney met Possum: what it means for the new Skoda Scala
Skoda NZ’s new general manager Rodney Gillard (above) couldn’t have timed it better: literally days after his appointment he got to wheel out the company’s new hatchback, the five-door Scala. “It’s going to help us put a footprint into a segment that we have probably struggled a bit,” said Gillard. He means the small car sector – but Scala’s big-as boot and roomy cabin … [Read more...] about When Rodney met Possum: what it means for the new Skoda Scala
Research: Tesla battery pack may last for more than million miles
By Daniel Oberhaus, of US website Wired Last April, Elon Musk promised that Tesla would soon be able to power its electric cars for more than 1 million miles (1.62m km) over the course of their lifespan. At the time, the claim seemed a bit much. That’s more than double the mileage Tesla owners can expect to get out of their car’s current battery packs, which are already … [Read more...] about Research: Tesla battery pack may last for more than million miles