The ratio of traditional passenger cars to crossover/SUVs in the NZ market mirrors the concern a senior Toyota executive has over the future of the Lexus range of sedans. Tokuo Fukuichi (above), Toyota board member, Lexus branding chief and head of advanced design, says Lexus sedans will need to become sportier if they’re to battle back against the growing consumer … [Read more...] about Lexus sedans must be sportier to battle SUVs, says brand boss
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Mazda’s next BT-50 ute will be rebadged Isuzu D-Max
The next-generation Mazda BT-50 ute will be a rebadged Isuzu D-Max and not the product of a joint development with individual styling, unlike the current BT-50 (above) which shares much with the Ford Ranger. An Isuzu Motors executive from headquarters in Japan has confirmed that last year’s joint venture agreement with Mazda had nothing to do with working together on a new … [Read more...] about Mazda’s next BT-50 ute will be rebadged Isuzu D-Max
Former Mazda chief drives down memory lane in a new CX-5
The way former Mazda NZ managing director Andrew Clearwater remembers it, the people at Ford never understood the relentless pursuit of quality that was at the core of Mazda philosophy. It was the late 1980s, early 1990s. Ford HQ in Detroit owned 25 per cent of Mazda; had done since 1979. Clearwater was a Ford NZ marketing man. In the same building in South Auckland were … [Read more...] about Former Mazda chief drives down memory lane in a new CX-5
Great Wall ute flunks ANCAP crash test, despite safety upgrades
A Chinese-made ute that was updated for New Zealand last year in a bid to improve its crash-safety rating in the popular workhorse segment has received the same lowly two-star result in its latest test. Safety watchdog the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) gave the Great Wall Steed 4x2 ute 16.49 out of a possible 37 points, despite the addition of more … [Read more...] about Great Wall ute flunks ANCAP crash test, despite safety upgrades
Type R flyer heads Honda NZ’s new line-up of Civic hatchbacks
The new Honda Civic Type R will land in New Zealand with an early go-fast notch in its belt, that of being the fastest front-drive production car around the Nurburgring race track in Germany. The hatchback has lapped the famous circuit in 7 minutes, 43.8 seconds, beating by almost six seconds the previous best of 7min:49.21sec by the Volkswagen GTi Clubsport S, known in NZ … [Read more...] about Type R flyer heads Honda NZ’s new line-up of Civic hatchbacks