Toyota NZ has released pictures and details of its new Hilux ute six months out from its official launch date, an unprecedented move calculated to try and slow down the sales advantage the Ford Ranger has established over the current Hilux. Toyota has never released official images of upcoming models, not in the 26 years I have been writing about the motoring … [Read more...] about Toyota breaks its own rules, months out from new Hilux arriving in NZ
Toyota
Recalled Toyotas: ‘Moisture’ from humidity likely cause of airbag fault
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
New Toyota Hilux tests auto-braking system, says spy agency
Is Toyota going to equip its new Hilux light truck with a camera-based autonomous braking system, an almost sure-fire way of winning five-star crash safety credentials from the European New Car Assessment Programme? Or is it just measuring the impact on a dummy pedestrian (above) as its works towards an approved pedestrian-safety rating from the Euro-NCAP facility? European spy … [Read more...] about New Toyota Hilux tests auto-braking system, says spy agency
Mercedes-Benz to test its new ute on NZ Snow Farm’s winter wonderland
Expect Mercedes-Benz to use the Snow Farm testing ground near Wanaka for winter trials of the new light truck it is developing to challenge Down Under commercial segment leaders like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. The carmaker has confirmed it will test prototypes in Australia and New Zealand before the production model breaks cover around 2018. The pick-up will be the … [Read more...] about Mercedes-Benz to test its new ute on NZ Snow Farm’s winter wonderland
New vehicle sales set to break record that has stood for 30 years
• Above, motorsport fan and former Prime Minister David Lange A month from now the new vehicle industry in New Zealand will look back on 2014 as the best sales year since 1984, when the David Lange-led Labour Party won a snap election and soon after changed forever the way this country does business. Back then, 117,075 new vehicles were sold in the 11 months till December … [Read more...] about New vehicle sales set to break record that has stood for 30 years