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
Volkswagen's Piech
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
Will Land Rover fan Queen Elizabeth II like the new Defender?
There is a yarn British motoring writer Andrew English tells that's almost too good to check. It concerns a senior Land Rover executive. Sitting down with his personal PR team one Monday morning a few years ago, he announced that he'd like them to get him "a gong". "A gong, sir?" they parroted. "Yes a gong; Queen's Birthday Honours list and all that," he … [Read more...] about Will Land Rover fan Queen Elizabeth II like the new Defender?
Slump in car sales takes $20m a month out of industry pockets
The new vehicle industry in New Zealand is heading for its first annual sales slump since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) bit deep 10 years ago. Registrations of new cars and commercials at the end of August were down 5.1% on the same eight-month period last year, the first sign in a decade that the car market – long this country’s economic barometer – is feeling some … [Read more...] about Slump in car sales takes $20m a month out of industry pockets