Automotive news

• The 99-year-old Victorian mechanic still working six days a week

  10-07-2026 22:39 via abc.net.au
  
  Ray Gloster has been a mechanic for 83 years and counting, and at 99, he might be on the verge of a world record.
  
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• Rare $1m Nissan Skyline to headline Sunday Drive JDM auction

  14-07-2026 03:46 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  One of the most valuable Japanese performance cars ever offered at auction in New Zealand will headline Sunday Drive’s largest Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) auction later this month. A rare 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 M-Spec Nür, valued at between $950,000 and $1.2 million, will be the star attraction at the Sunday Drive JDM Legends […]
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• Light traffic eases as heavy vehicle volumes continue to climb

  14-07-2026 03:03 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Light vehicle traffic declined in June while heavy vehicle movements continued to trend higher, pointing to resilient freight activity and economic production. ANZ’s latest Truckometer data shows light traffic fell 0.5% during the month and was down 0.4% compared with June last year. ANZ says the recent softness in light traffic is likely to reflect […]
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• SAIC tops two million global vehicle sales in first half

  14-07-2026 02:45 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  SAIC Motor has become the first Chinese automotive manufacturer to sell more than two million vehicles in the first six months of a calendar year, with the MG parent company reporting global sales of 2.045 million vehicles in the first half of 2026. The result was driven by growth in new energy vehicle (NEV) sales […]
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• NZTA suspends 16 driver testing officers after investigation

  13-07-2026 06:39 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has suspended 16 driver testing officers and stood down a further seven from conducting practical driving tests following an investigation into irregular testing results. The investigation began in October 2025 after NZTA’s monitoring identified practical test results from some driver testing officers that were outside the expected range. Director of […]
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• Mitsubishi Motors explores humanoid robot production in new partnership

  13-07-2026 04:15 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Mitsubishi Motors has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese robotics startup Highlanders to jointly develop humanoid robots for use in its manufacturing operations and explore mass production of the robots at its Kyoto plant.
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• NPDGull launches national commercial fuel offer after merger completed

  13-07-2026 01:15 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  A new fuel retail business, NPDGull, has officially launched following the completion of the merger between NPD and Gull, with the company unveiling a national commercial fuel offer and outlining plans to invest in its operations. The new entity will oversee both the NPD and Gull brands, with retail sites continuing to operate under their […]
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• Sena & Co moves to take full control of 2 Cheap Cars

  13-07-2026 00:14 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Sena & Co Ltd has signalled its intention to acquire all remaining shares in 2 Cheap Cars Group that it does not already own, lodging a takeover notice under the Takeovers Code.
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• Hilux secures naming rights for NZ Rugby’s domestic competitions

  12-07-2026 23:44 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Toyota Hilux has been announced as the new naming rights partner of New Zealand Rugby’s three premier domestic competitions, with the partnership coinciding with the 50th anniversaries of both the Hilux and the National Provincial Championship (NPC). The agreement covers the NPC, Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) and Heartland Championship for the 2026 season, extending Toyota’s […]
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• Inchcape names Paul Mallard as New Zealand General Manager

  12-07-2026 23:30 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Paul Mallard has been appointed General Manager, New Zealand, for Inchcape Australasia, taking up the role from 13 July 2026. Mallard joins from Synlait, where he served as Chief Operating Officer, leading the company’s end-to-end value chain across performance, transformation and operational excellence. Prior to that, he held a range of senior roles at Fonterra […]
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• The 99-year-old Victorian mechanic on the verge of a world record

  10-07-2026 22:39 via abc.net.au
  
  Ray Gloster has been a mechanic for 83 years and counting, and at 99, he might be on the verge of a world record.
  
  Read more

• Windscreen repairers renew calls for ComCom probe

  08-07-2026 23:32 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Independent windscreen repairers are again calling on the Commerce Commission to investigate what they say are anti-competitive practices involving major players in New Zealand’s automotive glass repair market. According to reporting byThe Post, the repairers are seeking an investigation into the relationship between market leader Novus and Auto Glass Claims (AGC), alleging the arrangement gives […]
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• Business fined for not allowing worker to leave site during meal breaks

  08-07-2026 22:25 via abc.net.au
  
  An automotive industry group made threats "to create fear" in a man who had brought legal action against his employer for not giving him adequate lunch breaks, a tribunal judgement has found.
  
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• Adelaide employer to pay $25k penalty for not providing adequate meal breaks

  08-07-2026 22:25 via abc.net.au
  
  An automotive industry group made threats "to create fear" in a man who had brought legal action against his employer for not giving him adequate lunch breaks, a tribunal judgement has found.
  
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• BMW iX3 first through ANCAP’s new ‘Stages of Safety’ regime with five stars

  08-07-2026 11:13 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  The new BMW iX3 has become the first vehicle rated under ANCAP’s tougher 2026-2028 protocols, achieving five stars and setting an early benchmark for the safety body’s new “Stages of Safety” assessment structure. The electric medium SUV scored 71% for safe driving, 83% for crash avoidance, 86% for crash protection and 95% for the new […]
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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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• 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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• 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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