Automotive news

• Motor industry pioneer Mike Nelson dies aged 78

  08-07-2026 04:38 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  The New Zealand motor industry is mourning the loss of respected dealer, importer and entrepreneur Michael (Mike) John Nelson, who died on July 1, aged 78. Nelson’s career spanned more than five decades, taking him from Wellington dealerships to pioneering the used import trade in New Zealand and later exporting Japanese vehicles into South America. […]
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• OCR lifted to 2.5% as Reserve Bank responds to inflation risks

  08-07-2026 05:54 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  The Reserve Bank has increased the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 2.5%, saying further reductions in monetary stimulus are likely as it works to return inflation to its 2% target.
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• Auto lending remains resilient as NZ credit demand softens

  08-07-2026 02:37 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Demand for vehicle finance remained resilient in June despite an overall slowdown in consumer borrowing, as New Zealand households continued to prioritise larger purchases while cutting back on discretionary credit. The latest Credit Indicator from Centrix shows consumer credit demand fell 5.3% year-on-year in June, reflecting ongoing caution among households despite improving economic conditions and […]
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• Australia’s used EV sales surge despite softer market

  08-07-2026 01:03 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Australia’s used vehicle market softened during the first half of 2026, but demand for used electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids continued to grow strongly as buyers increasingly turned to lower-emission vehicles. New data from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association and AutoGrab shows just over 1.3 million used vehicles were sold nationally during the first six […]
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• Rising fuel prices driving behaviour change – Genesis

  08-07-2026 00:31 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Rising fuel prices are prompting more New Zealanders to change how they travel and look for ways to cut household energy costs, but the upfront price of electric vehicles remains the biggest obstacle to wider EV adoption, according to new research commissioned by Genesis Energy.
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• Mystery Bedford prison fire engine heads to auction

  07-07-2026 05:21 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  A rare 1975 Bedford J1 fire appliance with a possible link to New Zealand’s Tongariro prison network has been listed for auction by Turners. The New Zealand-new Bedford, showing 12,945km, is being offered through Turners Trucks & Machinery in Palmerston North, with the auction closing on July 13. While the vehicle remains substantially intact as […]
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• Kiwi-built V8 powers Pikes Peak podium finish

  07-07-2026 01:29 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  A New Zealand-developed V8 engine has helped power a podium finish at the 104th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, with the Kiwi-backed Sendy Club entry finishing second overall and setting a new rear-wheel-drive record.
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• GWM records best-ever monthly sales in New Zealand

  07-07-2026 01:08 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  GWM has achieved its strongest monthly sales result in New Zealand, delivering 610 vehicles in June to capture a 4.7% share of the market. The result represents a 42% increase on the same month last year and saw GWM finish seventh overall for both the month and year-to-date. The company says strong demand across its […]
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• Geely posts record overseas sales in first half of 2026

  06-07-2026 04:58 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Geely Auto has reported record overseas growth in the first half of 2026, with international sales more than doubling and monthly exports surpassing 100,000 vehicles for the first time. The company sold 1,422,958 vehicles globally between January and June, including 474,228 overseas deliveries, up 158% year on year. Overseas sales during the first six months […]
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• Branded Financial Services appoints BDM to drive Australian growth

  06-07-2026 02:18 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Branded Financial Services (BFS) has appointed Mendish Sekhon as business development manager for Western Australia and South Australia as the specialist vehicle lender continues to expand its Australian presence.
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• Electrified vehicles are reshaping NZ market, says Toyota

  05-07-2026 23:18 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  New Zealand’s new vehicle market is undergoing a structural shift as hybrid and electric vehicle adoption accelerates and it’s a change Toyota has confirmed. New vehicle registrations increased 13.5% year on year to 13,438 units in June, driven by strong passenger vehicle sales and a sharp rise in demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Electrified […]
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• Vehicle arrivals climb to more than 21,000 in June

  05-07-2026 22:54 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  New Zealand imported 21,371 fully built-up motor vehicles in June, taking the year-to-date total to 108,783 units, according to the latest Customs statistics. It included a total of 18,827 passenger cars hitting local wharves during the month. That total comprised 9,527 used imports and 9,300 new cars. For the first six months of 2026, New […]
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• Australia’s record June driven by EV surge as BYD closes on Toyota

  03-07-2026 06:27 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Australia’s new vehicle market recorded its strongest month on record in June, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounting for almost a quarter of all sales and BYD climbing to become the country’s second-best-selling automotive brand. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), 131,134 new vehicles were sold through the VFACTS reporting system during […]
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• Auto Distributors reaffirms Peugeot here to stay

  03-07-2026 04:20 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  New Zealand’s Peugeot distributor, Auto Distributors (ADNZ), has reaffirmed its commitment to the marque and moved to reassure customers and dealers the brand is here to stay. ADNZ is one of Rick Armstrong’s business interests, which include distribution of Peugeot, Citroen, Leapmotor, Smart, Dong Feng, BAIC and Arcfox, alongside his extensive dealer network and a […]
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• Tesla deliveries jump 25% in Q2

  03-07-2026 03:19 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Tesla delivered 480,126 vehicles globally during the second quarter of 2026, a 25% increase on the same period last year, but investors sent the company’s shares sharply lower following the result. Vehicle production rose 10.1% year on year to 451,758 units. The automaker’s Model 3 and Model Y continued to dominate the line-up, accounting for […]
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• MIA: EV momentum continues despite economic headwinds

  03-07-2026 02:45 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Demand for electrified vehicles continued to strengthen in June as buyers responded to higher fuel costs and greater model availability, despite ongoing economic pressures, the Motor Industry Association (MIA) says.
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• Autosure’s Martin Keane – Integrity, Consistency and a Passion for Partnership 

  03-07-2026 01:58 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  If you haven’t already met him, we’re pleased to introduce you to Martin Keane, our new Account Manager for the South Island.  Key to Autosure’s partnership model is our focus on strategically engaging with our agents to ensure customers are protected.  Account management throughout the country is a core component of this, so let’s take a look at how a new key member of our team takes […]
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• MIA launches new automotive data platform

  02-07-2026 01:58 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  The Motor Industry Association (MIA) has launched a new data platform designed to modernise the way new vehicle sales information is managed and reported in New Zealand. Developed in partnership with InfoAgent, the MIA DataHub provides a secure platform for new vehicle sales reporting while giving members improved access to industry reporting tools and data. […]
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• MITO updates collision repair training programmes

  01-07-2026 23:41 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  MITO has launched a suite of new and updated training programmes for New Zealand’s automotive collision repair and refinishing sectors following consultation with industry. The revised programmes span entry-level through to advanced qualifications and are designed to provide clearer training pathways while better reflecting the needs of modern workshops. Among the changes is the separation […]
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• Armstrong’s launches nationwide finance brokerage

  01-07-2026 23:02 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Armstrong's has expanded beyond vehicle retailing with the launch of Armstrong's Finance, a standalone finance brokerage offering lending solutions across a range of personal and business finance products.
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• Scrappage scheme, trades fund headline MTA election manifesto

  01-07-2026 22:22 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  The Motor Trade Association is calling for a $2000 vehicle scrappage incentive, a new National Trades Training Fund and a delay to the second phase of Warrant of Fitness reform in its election year manifesto, launched at Parliament last night. The Road to Prosperity sets out 20 calls for the next government across four priority […]
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• Inchcape to end KGM distribution in New Zealand

  01-07-2026 05:50 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Inchcape is ending its distribution agreement for the KGM brand in New Zealand, with a final date to be confirmed after a transition period. The distributor says the decision is a joint one reached with OEM partner KGM, following a review of its local brand portfolio. “As part of Inchcape’s standard approach to portfolio management, […]
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• Four SUVs earn five-star ANCAP safety ratings

  01-07-2026 04:49 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Four SUVs spanning mainstream, electric and premium segments have been awarded five-star ANCAP safety ratings under the independent safety body’s latest testing programme. The Mazda CX-5, MG MGS6 EV, BMW X3 and Cupra Formentor all achieved the top rating under ANCAP’s 2023-2025 assessment criteria. ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg says the results demonstrate buyers have […]
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• Firefighters train for complex vehicle rescues

  01-07-2026 02:41 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  More than 110 firefighters from across New Zealand gathered in Feilding to test their rescue skills in the annual United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) Road Crash Rescue Challenge. Held over three days, the event saw crews tackle complex, timed crash scenarios designed to replicate serious road accidents, including overturned vehicles, unstable hazards and trapped occupants. […]
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• Forthing NZ grows network with two new dealer partners

  01-07-2026 00:16 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Forthing NZ is expanding its authorised dealer and service network with the addition of Winger Motors on Auckland’s North Shore and Ebbetts in Tauranga, both effective July 1, 2026. The two new partners bring the brand’s total New Zealand dealer count to six, following its April 2026 market entry. The existing network comprises Forthing Central […]
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• Tesla Model Y tops the board as new market climbs 13.4% in June

  30-06-2026 21:56 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  New vehicle registrations rose to 13,440 units in June 2026, a 13.4% increase on the 11,851 recorded in the same month last year. The gain was driven entirely by the passenger and SUV segment, which lifted 20.9% to 9963 units. The new commercial segment eased 3.7% to 3477, from 3612 a year earlier. The result […]
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• Used import registrations lift 12.9% in June as Tesla surges

  30-06-2026 21:50 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Used import registrations rose to 7999 units in June 2026, a 12.9% increase on the 7083 recorded in the same month last year. It is the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth for the segment. Passenger volumes accounted for the bulk of the total, with 7567 registrations, up 11.1% year-on-year. The smaller used commercial segment […]
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• Welcome to the latest issue of AutoTalk

  30-06-2026 02:36 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  In the latest issue of AutoTalk we bring you our coverage from Fieldays, where the automotive industry was once again out in force as attendance rose on the back of renewed confidence in the rural economy. We report on the Government’s Clean Vehicle Standard review reaching a critical milestone, with officials presenting Stage 1 findings to […]
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• BYD Auto NZ adds six dealerships to national network

  30-06-2026 00:33 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  BYD Auto NZ has announced the addition of six new authorised dealerships to its national network, expanding its physical presence across both metropolitan and regional New Zealand as demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs) continues to grow. The expansion brings the total number of BYD showrooms nationwide to 25, up from the current 19. The […]
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• Electrifying vehicles and home could save households $3,000 a year, report finds

  29-06-2026 01:02 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  New Zealand households could save around $3,000 a year after financing costs by switching to electric vehicles, replacing fossil fuel appliances with electric alternatives and installing rooftop solar and battery storage, according to a new report by Rewiring Aotearoa. The independent charity’s Electric Homes & Vehicles report, authored by Josh Ellison, Jenny Sahng, Nicole Kirkham, […]
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