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
Volkswagen's Piech
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
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
Domestic price war among Chinese carmakers risks exports
Chinese carmakers gaining a foothold in New Zealand are headlining a vicious price war in their home market that is causing alarm in Beijing. China’s communist party bosses have warned 16 brands that they risk further destabilising a domestic market already oversaturated with companies fighting to win over drivers. A recent Reuters report said analysts believe competition … [Read more...] about Domestic price war among Chinese carmakers risks exports
Spoilt for choice: plug-in sales up 150.0%
The words of former Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda have particular relevance in New Zealand, judging by continuing trends in the country’s new vehicle market. Toyoda insisted some years ago that investing in alternative fuel technologies made more sense than focusing solely on battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). “Rather than telling people what they should drive,” Toyoda said, … [Read more...] about Spoilt for choice: plug-in sales up 150.0%