Investigators in the United States have identified ‘moisture and time’ as the possible cause of airbags from Japanese supplier Takata Corporation being triggered abnormally. US motoring watchdog the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it will soon announce “significant new steps” in dealing with the growing number of vehicle recalls affected by the apparent … [Read more...] about Recalled Toyotas: ‘Moisture’ from humidity likely cause of airbag fault
honda
Honda NZ opens order book on NSX supercar
Honda NZ is taking orders for its second-generation NSX, a petrol-electric, all-wheel-drive supercar shown publicly for the first time at the Detroit show. The new car (above) wore the badge of Honda’s up-market US arm Acura but will be sold in NZ as the Honda NSX, the same moniker as the 1994 original. Honda NZ managing director Nobuya Sonada confirmed he would have the … [Read more...] about Honda NZ opens order book on NSX supercar
Ariel Nomad is the ‘21st century dune buggy, the latest in big boys’ toys
The new Ariel Nomad, the latest in ‘big boys’ toys’ for off-road fun, will set you back upwards of $NZ55,000 – that’s if you can get one of the ‘21st century dune buggies.’ The British company is making only 100 a year, each one weighing around 670kg and tailor-made from start to finish by a single technician. The Nomad has already been nicknamed the ‘off-road Atom’ after … [Read more...] about Ariel Nomad is the ‘21st century dune buggy, the latest in big boys’ toys
Mercedes-Benz limo overall winner of women’s world car of year award
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class (above) has won the overall Women’s World Car of the Year award for 2014, beating second-placed Audi A8 and third-placed Tesla Model S, the battery-electric car the NZ Green Party wants the NZ Government to use as its ministerial fleet. The S-Class also won the luxury category, again pipping the Audi and Tesla. But the US-built Tesla won the … [Read more...] about Mercedes-Benz limo overall winner of women’s world car of year award
SUV sales soar – and there are more new models to come
The SUV market in New Zealand will become even more crowded and competitive over the next couple of years as both luxury and mid-market carmakers introduce first-time models. The so-called lifestyle vehicles are the hottest items on the sales charts and accounted for just over four out of every 10 passenger cars sold to the end of October this year. That ratio is expected … [Read more...] about SUV sales soar – and there are more new models to come