Spotlight

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 

The people who know these things reckon the best time to experience the demands of test driving a car on ice is in the ‘golden hour’ at dawn – before and after the sun rises.  Audi NZ is setting up such an experience on the slippery surfaces of the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground, an automotive winter wonderland near Queenstown.  The so-called Night Drive is … [Read more...] about Early morning glory on ice, Audi style

Tesla owners have become disillusioned with Elon Musk’s outspoken incursions into global politics, says the head of rival electric carmaker (EV) Polestar. An example of the discontent, said Michael Lohscheller, is the increasing appearance on Teslas of bumper stickers such as: “I bought this car before Elon lost his mind.” Or “I bought this car before Elon went crazy.” In … [Read more...] about ‘I bought this car before Elon lost his mind’

It could be said that 2024 was the year of the petrol-electric hybrid (HEV) car, even though it has been around in one form or another for 28 years.  Toyota pioneered it. Honda followed soon after. Others came much later. Each HEV saves on CO2 exhaust emissions. HEVs totalled a never-before 34,736 registrations in New Zealand last year, or 27.0% of the overall … [Read more...] about 2024: Year of petrol-electric hybrids and Toyota’s 1:6:90 rule

Chinese automotive brand JAC begins selling its T9 ute in New Zealand in a week or so, by which time China will have displaced Japan for the second year running as the world’s largest exporter of motor vehicles. JAC joins the dozen or so Chinese carmakers already here … more are on the way. One, Xpeng, already with its name down on NZ Government books as an electric vehicle … [Read more...] about Feeding the dragon: Chinese cars eat into legacy brands