Technology giant IBM predicts a future for carmakers where the focus for buyers will be more on the digital services the car provides, rather than the cars themselves. Daniel Knodler, IBM’s director of global sales for its automotive, aerospace and defence groups, says what happens on the screens inside the car will be far more important than the badge on the … [Read more...] about Future of car: one day badge will be pretty much obsolete, says IBM
Land Rover: ‘Don’t leave town till you’ve seen the country’
An Italian-made accessory for the new Land Rover Defender could turn out to be the catalyst for refreshing a tourism catchphrase from 1984 New Zealand. A national advertising campaign back then told Kiwis, “Don’t leave town till you’ve seen the country.” It came around the time the incoming fourth Labour Government devalued the NZ dollar by 20 per cent. The underlying … [Read more...] about Land Rover: ‘Don’t leave town till you’ve seen the country’
Merging carmakers form Stellantis Group but keep known brand names
That all-American Jeep Gladiator pick-up launched in New Zealand the other day? It and the rest of the Jeep products are to be built by a new company called Stellantis. Same with models from France’s Peugeot and Citroen and Germany’s Opel/Vauxhall. Their maker will be Stellantis too. Because Stellantis – from the Latin “stello”, “to brighten with stars” – is the name of … [Read more...] about Merging carmakers form Stellantis Group but keep known brand names
Kiwi invention powers Aussie firm to world first for EVs
Wireless charging technology pioneered by University of Auckland professors John Boys and Grant Covic has helped an Australian company log a world first for electric cars (EVs), one it claims will change the recharging industry forever. Lumen Freedom, an automotive components specialist based in Melbourne, has become the first and only company in the world to have a wireless … [Read more...] about Kiwi invention powers Aussie firm to world first for EVs
New rapid response vehicle for US Army based on Colorado ute
That Holden Colorado that sits among the top four utes in New Zealand? It’s just become the new rapid response vehicle for the United States armed forces. Or rather a stripped-down version of the Holden donor ute has. It is based on the four-wheel-drive Chevy Colorado ZR2 (below) and uses 90 per cent of its parts, including, like the Holden, the Duramax 2.8-litre … [Read more...] about New rapid response vehicle for US Army based on Colorado ute