The automotive industry’s much-anticipated relief from Clean Car Standard penalties arrives on January 1 2026, with significantly reduced charges and new flexibility measures taking effect across New Zealand. For dealers and distributors, the changes deliver immediate operational benefits through an 80% reduction in penalty rates and the introduction of credit transfers between vehicle categories. Penalty […]
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Clean Car Standard changes take effect January 1
via autotalk.co.nz
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BYD overtakes Tesla as world’s top-selling electric vehicle maker in 2025
via drive.com.auThe growth of China’s BYD – and the biggest-ever annual decline in Tesla deliveries – has seen the title of the world’s top-selling electric vehicle maker change hands.Tesla has lost its spot as the world’s number-one seller of battery-electric vehicles to BYD, after a sharper-than-expected sales decline.It is despite Tesla’s top seller, the Model Y family SUV, undergoing a major update in 2025 that stimulated demand – and comes as the US brand prepares
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My First Car: Radio’s Patrina Jones’ 1985 Ford Laser
via drive.com.auThe car that started Gold 104.3 radio presenter and newsreader Patrina Jones’ love affair with Ford Lasers.Gold 104.3 radio’s Patrina Jones remembers buying her first car – a 1985 Ford Laser five-door hatchback – from a family in Shepparton, having spotted it parked on their front lawn with a ‘for sale’ sign on it. The presenter and newsreader on Melbourne’s The Christian O’Connell Show – which will launch nationally this month – s
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Chery sale makes Tiggo 7 Australia’s cheapest PHEV, undercutting BYD Sealion 5
via drive.com.auClearance deals on 2025-plated Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid give the medium plug-in hybrid SUV the title of Australia’s cheapest PHEV – temporarily.Chery has announced discounts of $5000 off the list price of the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid plug-in hybrid range.The move to clear 2025-built vehicles has seen the price of the entry-level Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid Urban reduced to $34,990, down from its regular list price of $39,990 drive-away.The move makes the plug-in hybrid SUV Austral
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Mega-ministry risks stalling transport and vehicle policy, VIA says
via autotalk.co.nzPlans 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.
The post Mega-ministry risks stalling transport and vehicle policy, VIA says appeared first on Autotalk.
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Holiday road toll falls again, 2025 deaths decline
via autotalk.co.nzThe 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 […]
The post Holiday road toll falls again, 2025 deaths decline appeared first on Autotalk.
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Mitsubishi Pajero officially teased for first time in new Ralliart video
via drive.com.auMitsubishi 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
via autotalk.co.nzChinese 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 […]
The post Tesla loses global EV crown to BYD as sales slip appeared first on Autotalk.
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Australia to host record 67 car brands in 2026
via autotalk.co.nzAustralia 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 […]
The post Australia to host record 67 car brands in 2026 appeared first on Autotalk.
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Chinese electric car brands could face closure amid a massive market realignment in 2026
via drive.com.auChina’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
via drive.com.auToyota’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
via autotalk.co.nzOptimise 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 […]
The post Turn Your Spaces Into Marketing Machines: Showing Your Commitment to Customer Care appeared first on Autotalk.
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Making Technology Change Work
via autotalk.co.nzTechnology 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: […]
The post Making Technology Change Work appeared first on Autotalk.
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2026 Kia Tasman S 4×2 review
via drive.com.auThe 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
via drive.com.auSubaru 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
via drive.com.auCan 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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2026 Honda Prelude exceeds 1000 expressions of interest in Australia
via drive.com.auDemand is seemingly high in Australia for Honda’s first new Prelude in 25 years, but will expressions of interest translate to sales?Anticipation for Honda’s incoming Prelude has amassed more than 1000 expressions of interest, according to the brand, but how many convert to sales is still unknown.Speaking to local media, Honda Australia General Manager of Automotive Robert Thorp said demand for the reborn coupe has given the brand “confidence” that the Prelude will be a s
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Nissan faces a defining year in Australia in 2026
via drive.com.auAn all-new dual-cab ute should be a recipe for success for Nissan in 2026, but as models like Pathfinder and Patrol are left to languish, and with X-Trail as the only volume seller, can a rebadged Triton in Nissan clothes carry the brand to success?
Nissan Navara
Nissan’s sales forecast for 2026 could head in any direction, as crucial new models arrive, and others are held back due to production timing.The new Navara ute is a crucial new model for Nissan, as utes so often are for mainstrea
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Honda Civic hybrid RS with faux gear shifts and a racing Prelude heading to Tokyo Auto Salon
via drive.com.auHonda wants to remind buyers that it is an enthusiast-oriented brand, with a heavy focus on racing and driver involvement at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.
2025 Honda Civic RS petrol
Honda appears to be re-inventing itself as a brand with genuine enthusiast appeal, while at the same time keeping a firm eye on its eco-conscious credentials.At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda is set to unveil a new version of the Civic hybrid, equipped with the simulated gear shift technology from the new Prelude, whi
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Tesla loses title of world's bestselling EV company as sales drop
via abc.net.auTesla sales have dropped for the second year in a row, with Chinese rival BYD taking over as the world's biggest electric vehicle maker.
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Money makers: The three most expensive cars you can buy right now on Drive have all appreciated in value
via drive.com.auThe big-dollar listings on Drive Marketplace show that savvy buyers have been able to cash-in on the right supercars.
Savvy new car buyers in Australia know that not every car is an investment opportunity, but the three most expensive listings on Drive Marketplace right now show the investment potential of the right car.While the two most expensive classifieds make sense as recent ultra-exotic, high-performance supercars, the third-highest listing might be a surprise for all but the most die-har
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Ram 1500 TRX returns as first ‘new’ model from revived SRT division, could come to Australia
via drive.com.auAfter axing the V8-powered TRX, Ram has reversed its decision and brought the TRX back to life with an even more powerful supercharged V8.The 2027 Ram 1500 TRX has returned with supercharged V8 power and is being billed as the “fastest and most powerful production gas pick-up truck in the world”, and it is in with a chance to come to Australia.Following the relaunch of the 5.7-litre V8 in regular Ram 1500 models in North America, the revived TRX offers 579kW and 922Nm from its 6.2-li
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2026 BYD Atto 3 electric car’s potential replacement spotted in disguise
via drive.com.auA new generation BYD electric SUV has been spied in production-ready form, pointing to a replacement for the four-year-old Atto 3.The second-generation 2026 BYD Atto 3 has been spied testing with minimal camouflage, suggesting it’s very close to launch.The car shown in these images is the Chinese market BYD Yuan Max, with the Yuan logo on the steering wheel that will be replaced by BYD badging in markets outside of China.The Yuan Max name will replace the Yuan Plus moniker used currently,
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Roof loads done right: Surfboards, kayaks and Aussie rules
via drive.com.auStrap gear safely with Australian rules made simple. Learn tie-down basics, weight limits and setups that stay secure on the road.Nothing beats a trip to the beach with a board or kayak along for the ride. But securing gear to your roof is not as straightforward as you may think and can easily catch you out if you’re unfamiliar with the rules. Tie-down laws and safe anglesAs outlined in the National Transport Commission’s load restraint guide, it is on the driver to ensure the r
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Honda Australia hoping for back-to-back-to-back sales growth
via drive.com.auNew and refreshed models in 2026 are expected to continue Honda Australia’s sales comeback after moving to fixed-price sales strategy.
Honda Australia is targeting its third consecutive year of sales growth in 2026, hoping to capture an additional 10 per cent of share off the back of an expected 10 per cent increase in 2025.Speaking to media, Honda Australia General Manager of Automotive Robert Thorp said the goal is for another year of expanding sales after the brand logged a record-low a
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Tesla electronic door releases could be responsible for 15 deaths – report
via drive.com.auAn investigation by Bloomberg attributes 15 deaths to entrapment caused by Tesla’s electronic door release system in crash situations.An ongoing investigation by news outlet Bloomberg reports that Tesla’s electronic door release system could be responsible for at least 15 deaths in the United States.The report filed by Bloomberg analysed crash data going back to 2012, following multiple reports by owners that Tesla’s electronically operated doors could fail to operate following
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Ford CEO says it couldn’t compete with Toyota, Hyundai and Kia – report
via drive.com.auFord’s global CEO Jim Farley says the Blue Oval made a ‘mistake’ in offering a full product line-up similar to Toyota, Hyundai and Kia.
Ford Focus
Ford wants to focus on specialised products, such as commercial vehicles, sports and electric cars, saying it was a “mistake” to be a full-line manufacturer similar to Toyota, Hyundai and Kia.In an interview with Argentina’s La Nacion, Jim Farley, the global CEO of Ford, said the brand’s “costs were not
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2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy review
via drive.com.auIf you’re looking for a stylish, fully-electric, seven-seat family car, look no further. Just make sure your pockets are deep, because as beautiful, powerful and practical as the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is, it is priced firmly at the pointy end.
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 CalligraphyFully-electric seven-seat SUVs are still relatively scarc
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2025 GWM Cannon Alpha, Tank 300 and Tank 500 hybrids recalled in Australia
via drive.com.auThe fault could cause reduced vehicle performance and affect the cooling operation of its hybrid system, according to the recall notice.Great Wall Motors Australia has recalled 1445 examples of its 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha, GWM Tank 300 and GWM Tank 500 hybrids, citing a potential fault with their high-voltage wiring harness. The affected vehicles are stamped 2025 models, affecting the Cannon Alpha Plug-In Hybrid, the Tank 300 Hybrid, and the Tank 500 Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid. The recall
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Used Imports: 2025 sees slowdown as Toyota dominance continues
via autotalk.co.nzThe used import market faced a challenging year in 2025, with total registrations dipping across both passenger and commercial segments. For the full year, the total used import market (passenger and commercial) sat at 89,188 units, a significant drop from the 103,925 recorded in 2024. The passenger segment bore the brunt of the decline, finishing the year with 85,031 registrations, down […]
The post Used Imports: 2025 sees slowdown as Toyota dominance contin
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