Automotive news

• Mega-ministry risks stalling transport and vehicle policy, VIA says

  04-01-2026 23:56 via autotalk.co.nz
  Plans to merge housing, transport, environment and parts of local government into a single “mega-ministry” risk slowing delivery and undermining specialist policy work, the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) says.
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• Holiday road toll falls again, 2025 deaths decline

  04-01-2026 23:18 via autotalk.co.nz
  The number of deaths on New Zealand roads over the Christmas holiday period has fallen for a second consecutive year, with provisional figures showing seven fatalities for the 2025–26 period. The toll is less than half the 15 deaths recorded during the same holiday period last year and well below the 22 deaths recorded in […]
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• Mitsubishi Pajero officially teased for first time in new Ralliart video

  04-01-2026 23:00 via drive.com.au
  Mitsubishi has revealed it will rely on its rally pedigree as a marketing tool for the new Pajero.The 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero has made its first official Mitsubishi-sanctioned appearance.In a new marketing video for Mitsubishi’s Ralliart motorsport division, the Pajero is briefly teased.The new Pajero is shown alongside Mitsubishi’s past participants in Dakar and WRC, and the 2025 Asia Cross Country Rally-winning Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Triton.The teaser video also appears to suggest
  
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• Tesla loses global EV crown to BYD as sales slip

  04-01-2026 22:30 via autotalk.co.nz
  Chinese automotive giant BYD has overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in 2025, as the American company reported an 8% decline in annual sales. Tesla delivered 1.64 million EVs in 2025, down from 1.79 million in 2024, while BYD achieved record sales of 2.26 million electric vehicles for the year. The […]
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• Australia to host record 67 car brands in 2026

  04-01-2026 22:23 via autotalk.co.nz
  Australia will have 67 brands selling vehicles in 2026, rising to 75 brands by 2031, making it one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets according to new data released by the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA). The AADA commissioned automotive data and modelling agency Blue Flag to detail projected brand numbers, with the research […]
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• Chinese electric car brands could face closure amid a massive market realignment in 2026

  04-01-2026 22:00 via drive.com.au
  China’s booming automotive industry growth looks set to change direction in 2026, which could trigger a massive shutdown of numerous unprofitable brands.A seismic shift in the way China’s new vehicle market operates could see sales drop for the first time since 2020.As the saturated Chinese market begins to slow down, electric vehicle deliveries are tipped to decline in 2026, according to analysts, sending a shockwave through the industry.According to a report by South China Morning
  
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• Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid pricing could exceed $160,000 in Australia

  04-01-2026 21:00 via drive.com.au
  Toyota’s new LandCruiser flagship will feature a ‘performance hybrid’ powertrain, but pricing for the Lexus version shows the hybrid technology won’t come cheap.The Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid could land in Australia with a $166,000 price tag before options and on-road costs, making it more expensive than an entry-level Lexus LX.The hypothetical price positioning comes after Lexus Australia revealed pricing for the LX700h, the Lexus-badged version of the LandCruiser Hybrid.
  
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• Turn Your Spaces Into Marketing Machines: Showing Your Commitment to Customer Care

  04-01-2026 20:00 via autotalk.co.nz
  Optimise your use of Point of Sale tools for promotion, and demonstrate your dealership’s commitment to ethical practices and regulatory requirements. For car dealers, promoting protection options in a compliant manner signals professionalism, care and a commitment to fair dealing. One of the most effective ways to do this, is by making the most of […]
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• Making Technology Change Work

  04-01-2026 20:00 via autotalk.co.nz
  Technology change can be uncomfortable, disruptive and resource-intensive – but it’s also unavoidable. The challenge for dealership leaders is knowing when a change is due, how to evaluate it properly, and how to support their teams so the transition becomes an uplift, not a burden. A simple starting point cuts through most of the hesitation: […]
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• 2026 Kia Tasman S 4×2 review

  04-01-2026 14:00 via drive.com.au
  The Kia Tasman S represents the business end, literally, of the Tasman range. While it may be focused on fleets, could the entry-level Tasman be good enough for private buyers?
  Skip ahead:IntroductionInteriorPrice and cost to ownValue SafetyCompetitorsRunning costsSummary and verdictDriving comfort
  2026 Kia Tasman S 4×2As with most utes, the 2026 Kia Tasman will first be seen around Australia in carefully curated, glossy lifestyle images of high-spec versions on billboards and in TV commer
  
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• Subaru’s STI performance arm reveals three new JDM specials for Tokyo Auto Salon

  04-01-2026 03:00 via drive.com.au
  Subaru Technica International, Subaru’s performance division, will reveal three new special editions for Tokyo Auto Salon.
  2026 Subaru Performance-E STI Concept
  Subaru fans are sure to be heartened by the news that STI will feature three new models at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon.Subaru’s performance arm will show STI-enhanced versions of the WRX sedan, Levorg (sold here as the WRX Sportswagon) and Impreza.All three are set to become Japan-only specials, but unlike some of the legen
  
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• BYD Atto 1 could shake up Australia’s light car market

  04-01-2026 00:00 via drive.com.au
  Can BYD’s clever price and positioning for the new Atto 1 electric light car breathe life back into a segment that’s in decline?Just four models made up Australia’s Light Car Under $30,000 vehicle sales category in 2025, and three of the four saw their sales go backwards.In 2025 The BYD Atto 1 will join the segment and stands a genuine chance of causing a serious shake-up.Sales figures are down in the mainstream Light Car class by over 25 per cent with the Mazda 2, MG 3, and Su
  
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