Automotive news

• Thundergrid calls for long-term EV roadmap

  11-08-2026 01:16 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  New Zealand risks falling behind countries such as Nepal, Ethiopia, Thailand and Denmark in the transition to electric vehicles unless it adopts a clear long-term strategy for transport electrification, according to EV charging technology company Thundergrid.
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• ChargeNet’s Kaiwaka upgrade delivers NZ’s fastest public EV charge yet

  11-08-2026 22:27 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  ChargeNet records over 300kW charging an XPeng X9 at its upgraded Kaiwaka site, narrowing the gap between vehicle capability and charger capability for dealers selling EVs.
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• Murray Naismith named CFO of Ford Australia and New Zealand

  11-08-2026 12:04 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Ford Australia and New Zealand appoints Murray Naismith as Chief Financial Officer from 3 August, succeeding Tinikki Mott who has stepped away from the business.
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• Brand loyalty evaporates: 71% of Kiwi buyers switched makes, Trade Me study finds

  11-08-2026 07:06 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Trade Me Motors' Shift Into Action report finds 71% of NZ car buyers switched makes, a used EV trust gap, nationwide shopping habits, and a post-sale follow-up failure.
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• Yoogo Fleet adds Turners mobile servicing to Digital Concierge

  11-08-2026 05:50 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Yoogo Fleet partners with Turners Servicing & Repairs to add mobile servicing to its Digital Concierge platform, with vans coming to drivers at home or work across four cities.
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• Takeover battle erupts for FleetPartners as Element tops SG Fleet

  11-08-2026 05:16 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Canada's Element Fleet Management has topped SG Fleet's rejected bid for FleetPartners with an A$3.80 offer that could rise to A$4.00, setting up a takeover battle with big implications for the NZ fleet sector.
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• Maruti Suzuki expands Gujarat plant to one million vehicles a year

  11-08-2026 01:50 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Maruti Suzuki, which makes several models sold in New Zealand, has increased annual production capacity at its Hansalpur manufacturing facility in Gujarat to one million vehicles, making it the first Suzuki plant globally to reach that milestone. The increase follows the start of production at a fourth plant at the site, adding capacity for 250,000 […]
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• GM renews SAIC joint venture for 20 years, plans China export hub

  10-08-2026 23:21 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  General Motors extends its 50-50 joint venture with SAIC Motor for another 20 years, focusing on Buick and Cadillac in China and using the market as an export hub.
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• Australian used car market rebounds in July

  10-08-2026 07:44 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Australia’s used vehicle market rebounded in July, with sales increasing 11.8% month-on-month to 240,311 units after a June slowdown driven by end-of-financial-year demonstrator clearances. New figures from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) and AutoGrab show the June decline reflected dealers clearing demonstrator stock ahead of June 30 rather than weaker underlying demand. Dealer used […]
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• MTA joins refrigerant stewardship board ahead of 2027 scheme

  10-08-2026 06:23 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  The Motor Trade Association is one of four associations joining the board overseeing New Zealand's regulated synthetic refrigerant stewardship scheme, expected to start in May 2027.
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• Automarque opens second BYD dealership in Wellington

  10-08-2026 05:27 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  BYD has strengthened its presence in the capital with Automarque opening a new authorised dealership in Wellington's CBD.
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• Mitsubishi confirms new ASX electric SUV for NZ

  10-08-2026 04:57 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand (MMNZ) has confirmed the new ASX VR-e battery electric SUV will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2026, expanding the brand’s electrified model range. The ASX VR-e follows the recently announced Outlander Sport HEV and joins the Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross PHEV as Mitsubishi broadens its range of electrified vehicles. […]
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• Trade Me Motors confirms 5% to 8% price rise from 1 October

  10-08-2026 03:45 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Trade Me Motors will lift dealer package pricing by between 5% and 8% from 1 October, ending the deferral it put in place in April. The company is pairing the increase with a “Lock It In” promotion that lets dealers hold their upgraded package rates and push any price change out to 30 June 2027. […]
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• The Market Doesn’t Sit Still. So Neither Will We.

  10-08-2026 03:40 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  As the calendar ticks over to 1 July, we don’t just start a new financial year at Trade Me Motors. We reset our focus, challenge our assumptions, and decide where we can create the most value for the industry over the next 12 months. For us, that conversation starts with Insights. By the time you […]
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• Sena extends 2 Cheap Cars offer with acceptances at 3.1%

  10-08-2026 03:31 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Sena & Co extends its $0.80 per share takeover offer for 2 Cheap Cars to 23 September after two weeks brought acceptances covering just 3.1% of the company's shares.
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• Our manifesto for a thriving industry

  10-08-2026 03:30 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Recently MTA launched our election year manifesto, The Road to Prosperity, at Parliament. It meant I got to address a packed house of MTA members, MPs and industry leaders on what was roundly viewed as a successful evening advocating for the needs of our important sector. I’m pleased to say that the work inherent to […]
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• RUC and Roll: Why the Road Funding Shift Needs a Smooth Ride

  10-08-2026 03:23 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  By the time this magazine lands in readers’ hands, I will be somewhere in Iceland, probably staring at a dramatic bit of scenery and, if I am being honest, quietly taking an unhealthy interest in how motorists there are coping with road user charges. That might sound like an odd holiday pastime, but Iceland is […]
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• Winning the 2030s

  10-08-2026 03:16 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Around the date this AutoTalk issue is released, Titan customers will gather for Titan Connect 2026 – a day designed to help dealerships get more value from the systems they already own, understand what’s on the horizon, and learn from one another’s experiences. One of the sessions will be a discussion around a single question: […]
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• The True Test of Insurance? It’s What Happens at Claim Time

  10-08-2026 03:08 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Anyone can sell an insurance policy. The real test comes when a customer needs to use it. When a vehicle breaks down unexpectedly, customers aren’t thinking about policy documents or premiums – they simply want help. At Autosure, that’s where our Claims Team comes in. Our focus is on making what can be a stressful […]
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• Get a grip on your Trade Me cost per lead and cost per sale

  10-08-2026 03:01 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Trade Me costs are a hot topic with dealers right now. Price rises feel like they keep coming. Dealer Principals are looking at the monthly bill and asking the question: are we really getting value? That is the fair question; but it is not the only question. The better question is this: are you getting […]
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• Let’s make you a PROMIS

  10-08-2026 02:46 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  As the first half of 2026 slips into the rear-view mirror, it’s the perfect time to take stock, refocus, and head into the rest of the year with fresh energy and a positive outlook. There’s no denying that 2026 has presented its share of challenges for the motor industry. But every challenge also creates an […]
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• Second EV charger loan round opens as 10,000 target tightens

  09-08-2026 01:17 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  The Government opens a second round of zero-interest EV charger loans as it chases 10,000 public charge points by 2030, a target requiring around 174 new charge points a month.
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• Auto Trader named principal sponsor of Auckland Rugby Referees Association

  07-08-2026 03:55 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader signs on as principal sponsor of the Auckland Rugby Referees Association for the 2027 and 2028 club rugby seasons.
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• Bayswater takes full ownership of Hastings Kia as Mark Cooper retires

  07-08-2026 03:53 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Bayswater Vehicle Group acquires the remaining 50% of Hastings Kia as long-serving dealer principal Mark Cooper retires, with the Karamu Road precinct set to add Nissan, BYD and Chery.
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• Five brands shortlisted for International Van of the Year

  07-08-2026 00:32 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Five manufacturers representing nine light commercial vehicle models have been shortlisted for the International Van of the Year (IVOTY) 2027 award. Marking the competition’s 35th anniversary, the shortlist includes a mix of European and Asian manufacturers, with the finalists comprising: The finalists include several battery electric models, reflecting the continued shift towards zero-emission commercial vehicles. […]
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• Port of Auckland reaches major milestone on Bledisloe North wharf

  06-08-2026 23:54 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Construction of Port of Auckland’s new Bledisloe North wharf has reached a major milestone, with the first precast concrete deck panel installed as work enters its final phase. The deck-laying programme marks the next stage of the project which will deliver Auckland’s first multi-use wharf capable of handling larger ships. “This is a big moment […]
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• Engineering technology to connect students with transport careers

  06-08-2026 04:11 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Engineering technology is one of nine new industry-led subjects set to be taught as part of New Zealand’s senior secondary qualification system.
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• Australian EV sales top 20% as market sets July record

  06-08-2026 01:18 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Australia’s new vehicle market recorded its strongest July on record, with battery electric vehicles accounting for more than one in five sales, according to the latest VFACTS figures. A total of 23,510 battery electric vehicles were sold during the month, representing 21.7% of all new vehicle deliveries. It was the second consecutive month that BEVs […]
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• Arcfox enters NZ market with affordable T1 electric crossover

  06-08-2026 00:42 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  Chinese premium electric vehicle brand Arcfox has entered the New Zealand market with the launch of the T1 compact crossover. Priced from $34,990 plus on-road costs as part of an introductory offer. The regular retail price is $36,990 plus on-road costs. Arcfox was established by the BAIC Group in 2017 as its premium EV brand […]
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• Vehicle arrivals reach almost 28,000 units in July

  05-08-2026 02:39 via autotalk.co.nz
  
  New Zealand imported 27,980 fully built-up motor vehicles in July, taking the year-to-date total to 136,214 units, according to the latest Customs statistics. It included 23,718 passenger cars arriving during the month. That total comprised 10,582 used imports and 13,136 new cars. For the first seven months of 2026, New Zealand imported 116,110 passenger cars, […]
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