If you believe the public relations guff, every distributor in New Zealand last year sold record numbers of new vehicles. But that wasn’t the case. Okay, it was an overall record year, with 159,871 new vehicle registrations. But quite a few brands didn’t do as well as the PR people claim. Press releases saying this or that distributor is gearing up in 2018 to meet rapidly … [Read more...] about Numbers game: the real story behind record 2017 sales year
Isuzu D-Max
HSV lines up flash Colorado ute, Chev Camaro, Silverado truck
The Chevrolet badge returns to New Zealand next year on the bonnet of the all-American Camaro sports car and Silverado pick-up truck. Both vehicles will be converted to right-hand drive by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) at its new 28,000 square-metre plant in Melbourne. It’s where HSV will also prepare two versions of the Holden Colorado ute, the Sportscat and better … [Read more...] about HSV lines up flash Colorado ute, Chev Camaro, Silverado truck
Land Rover responds to clean air critic that ‘diesel is the devil’
Jaguar Land Rover has defended its diesel engine technology after criticism of the fuel from the founder and director of Clean Air London, Simon Birkett. “Diesel is the devil, and we do need to ban it,” Birkett told a panel of automotive experts at the inaugural Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest, a three-day event in London highlighting the carmaker’s future technology. On the … [Read more...] about Land Rover responds to clean air critic that ‘diesel is the devil’
Kia and Isuzu the go-getters in 2013-2017 sales figures
Registrations of traditional passenger sedans and hatchbacks have tumbled over the past five years, as New Zealanders move towards SUVs and utes. In August 2013, for instance, the Holden Commodore sat at No. 5 on the top 15 list. Last month it was No. 10. A month earlier it was No. 11. Five years ago the Holden Cruze, Toyota Yaris, Mazda3, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, … [Read more...] about Kia and Isuzu the go-getters in 2013-2017 sales figures
All-electric Nikola One truck has claimed range of up to 1900km
America’s Nikola Motor Company (NMC) has revealed its Nikola One hydrogen-fuelled truck and says it has accepted nearly US$3 billion in “future orders.” It took the covers off the big semi at its Salt Lake City headquarters, saying the truck’s all-electric drivetrain was good for a zero-emissions range of 1280 to 1930km. The big rig gets its energy from lithium-ion … [Read more...] about All-electric Nikola One truck has claimed range of up to 1900km