Automotive news

• Auckland Transport chief executive Dean Kimpton to step down

  01-02-2026 23:22 via autotalk.co.nz
  Auckland Transport chief executive Dean Kimpton will step back from the role on Friday, May 1, after almost three years leading the organisation.
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• Toyota breaks global sales record, tops 2025 charts in sixth year running

  01-02-2026 23:04 via drive.com.au
  More than 11 million new vehicles were sold by Toyota and its subsidiaries around the world last year – 2.3 million ahead of second place – after a slower 2024.Toyota and Lexus sold more new cars globally last year than ever before – surpassing 10 million vehicles for the third consecutive year – to remain the world’s most popular new carmaker.Such was the Japanese car giant’s lead that it sold more cars over January to November than the second-placed Volkswag
  
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• New vehicle market starts 2026 with strong gains

  01-02-2026 23:03 via autotalk.co.nz
  New vehicle registrations lifted in January 2026, with gains in the passenger sector offsetting a slight decline in commercial volumes. A total of 11,807 new vehicles were registered in January, up 8.7% on the 10,858 recorded in January 2025. Passenger registrations accounted for 9038 units, a 12.1% increase year-on-year from 8059. The commercial sector recorded 2769 registrations, down 1.1% […]
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• Chery says a longer warranty does not give buyers more confidence

  01-02-2026 22:25 via drive.com.au
  Chery remains steadfast on seven-year warranty despite rivals like MG, Nissan, and Mitsubishi moving ahead to a 10-year assurance period.
  Chery Dealership. Photo: iStock
  Chery Australia does not believe increasing its warranty period will have a tangible effect on drawing customer attention to the brand, despite rivals such as MG, Nissan, and Mitsubishi offering a 10-year assurance period.While the industry average offered by the likes of Toyota, Ford, and Mazda is a five-year/unlimited kilometr
  
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• Used import registrations edge higher in January

  01-02-2026 22:01 via autotalk.co.nz
  Used import registrations rose to 7993 units in January 2026, a 3.2% increase compared to the same month last year, when 7744 units were recorded. Passenger vehicle volumes made up the majority of the total, with 7604 registrations, up 3% year-on-year. Commercial used imports recorded 389 units, rising 7.2% from the 363 registered in January […]
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• Five brands sign-on for CarExpert New Zealand launch

  01-02-2026 22:00 via autotalk.co.nz
  CarExpert New Zealand will launch in February 2026 with five automotive brands as exclusive foundation partners, as the new car buying platform prepares to enter a market currently led by NZME’s DrivenCarGuide and the new Auto Trader NZ Autocar editorial partnership. Chery, Ford, GWM, MG and MINI have signed on to support the launch of […]
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• 2026 Audi Q5 TFSI 150kW review

  01-02-2026 22:00 via drive.com.au
  The new Audi Q5 hasn’t attempted to redefine the luxury SUV class. At a time when competitors are moving fast, has Audi been smart to slow things down a little?
  Skip ahead:IntroductionTechnologyValueExteriorFuel efficiencyCompetitorsCostVerdictInterior
  2026 Audi Q5 TFSIThe motoring world moves fast, but the 2025 Audi Q5 aims to take a breath.Not too many years ago, if you wanted a prestige car, a German brand like Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz was probably the answer. You might opt for a Jagu
  
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• Tesla is done with developing all-new cars you can actually drive – almost

  01-02-2026 20:34 via drive.com.au
  The Roadster may, one day, be the only car Tesla makes with a steering wheel and pedals, Elon Musk has hinted, suggesting eventual Model 3 and Model Y replacements may not be human-controlled.Tesla has foreshadowed the end of the line for its electric cars with a steering wheel and pedals, as it doubles down on the rollout of autonomous taxis, big and small.There will be one exception: the long-overdue Roadster sports car, which CEO Elon Musk claims will finally be revealed in its production for
  
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• NordEast reports strong first-year growth in premium EV brands

  01-02-2026 20:14 via autotalk.co.nz
  NordEast Vehicle Distributors has delivered 1,345 electrified vehicles in its first year of operations, with Polestar and Volvo emerging as New Zealand’s two fastest-growing premium brands. Polestar sales reached 472 units, representing 106% growth from 2024, while Volvo delivered 534 units, up 40% from the previous year. The Polestar result included the clearance of significant […]
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• Audi admits A4 to A5 name change was a ‘mistake’

  01-02-2026 19:06 via drive.com.au
  A rename back to its long-held badge is on the cards for the Audi A4-turned-A5 luxury-car range, the global boss of the company has hinted.
  The global boss of Audi has admitted that renaming one of its best-known vehicles, the A4, as the A5 was a misstep – and has hinted at a revival of the 32-year-old badge with the latest model’s next update.Plans announced by Audi in 2023 were set to see all petrol- and diesel-powered models wear odd-numbered names, and electric cars carry even nu
  
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• Sunday Drive announces landmark live auction at Ayrburn Classic

  01-02-2026 04:41 via autotalk.co.nz
  Sunday Drive will host what it says will be New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious live car auction as part of the Ayrburn Classic motoring festival in Queenstown. The auction will take place on Saturday 21 February 2026 at the Ayrburn venue in Arrowtown, featuring 40 rare, collectible, and high-performance vehicles. The event will be […]
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• GWM appoints Andrew Gao as ANZ managing director

  01-02-2026 04:25 via autotalk.co.nz
  GWM has appointed Andrew Gao as Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, effective 1 February 2026. Gao succeeds Charles Zhao, who will relocate to Europe after leading GWM Australia to a record seventh overall position in 2025 according to VFACTS data. Under Zhao’s leadership, GWM also secured the title of the number one Chinese […]
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• Nissan appoints Steve Milette as Oceania managing director

  01-02-2026 04:23 via autotalk.co.nz
  Nissan has appointed Steve Milette as Managing Director of Nissan Oceania, effective 1 April 2026. Milette succeeds Andrew Humberstone, who will return to Europe to take up a new senior role at the company’s regional headquarters in Paris after completing his assignment across Australia and New Zealand. Details of Humberstone’s new position will be announced […]
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• The car brands with the biggest potential in 2026, according to Drive

  01-02-2026 04:13 via drive.com.au
  This year will see the rise and fall of some car brands, but here are the ones with the biggest opportunities to keep an eye on.
  The automotive landscape is undoubtedly facing unprecedented change, and with change also comes massive potential and new opportunities.Some brands will rise as others fall, but there are a handful of marques that are in prime position to capitalise on the shifting landscape – whether that be because of a strong future product pipeline, a return to old favourites
  
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• Tottie Goldsmith’s first car was a Holden, but she’s a Ford girl at heart

  01-02-2026 04:00 via drive.com.au
  Aussie singer and actress Tottie Goldsmith’s first car was a Holden Torana, but it was a Ford Mustang bought years later that gave her the most joy – if not also one of the scariest moments of her life.
  Tottie Goldsmith’s late father – Melbourne nightclub owner Brian Goldsmith gifted his daughter her first car – a beaten up red mid-1970s Holden Torana.  “I was 24 when I got my license,” says Goldsmith. “I was a late bloomer and part
  
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• Forthing electric car from China spotted in Australia

  01-02-2026 02:06 via drive.com.au
  Another new Chinese electric-car brand you’ve never heard of is a step closer to Australian showrooms, with a competitor to the Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 3.
  Forthing Friday spotted in Sydney’s west. Photo: Boris Jirgens.
  The next budget-priced electric family SUV from China – the Forthing Friday – is one step closer to Australian showrooms, after it was spotted testing on Sydney roads in recent days.The unusually-named SUV is produced by Dongfeng, one of China’s larges
  
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