Automotive news

• XPeng inches closer to Australian takeover

  28-01-2026 22:34
  News on the future of the XPeng electric-car maker in Australia looks to be closing in, as the Chinese brand prepares to take back partial – or complete – control of its local operations.
  Updated XPeng G6.
  XPeng head office in China is one step closer to taking the lead on its Australian presence from an independent distributor, as it prepares for a rush of new models hoped to boost sales.Drive reported last year that XPeng was preparing to grow its involvement in the sales, marketin
  
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• Mitsubishi signs vehicle supply deal with Farmlands

  02-11-2026 21:11 via Autotalk
  
  Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has been appointed a vehicle supplier to Farmlands.
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• Enterprise Motor Group wins Dotties data-driven marketing award

  02-11-2026 19:01 via Autotalk
  
  Enterprise Motor Group has won Best Data-Driven Experience at the Dotties APAC 2026.
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• Auto loan enquiries up 4.7% as personal loan hardship climbs

  02-11-2026 17:00 via Autotalk
  
  Auto loan enquiries were up 4.7% year-on-year, according to Centrix’s October Credit Indicator.
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• Xiaomi hiring in Sydney for Australian car business

  02-11-2026 11:16 via Autotalk
  
  Xiaomi is hiring in Sydney for its Australian automotive business, the strongest sign yet its cars will reach this part of the world.
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• Armstrong’s completes purchase of Eagers’ Auckland dealerships

  02-11-2026 03:33 via Autotalk
  
  Armstrong’s has completed its purchase of Eagers Automotive’s New Zealand franchised dealership business.
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• Armstrong’s completes Eagers dealership acquisition

  02-11-2026 03:30 via Autotalk
  
  Armstrong’s has completed its acquisition of Eagers Automotive’s New Zealand franchised operations, significantly expanding its dealership and servicing network across Auckland. The transaction includes North Harbour Ford, John Andrew Ford, John Andrew Mazda, Manukau Nissan and Manukau MG, along with associated service centres and trade-parts operations. The dealerships began operating under Armstrong’s ownership on November […]
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• Private buyers drive EV surge as fuel prices bite, says MTA

  02-11-2026 02:16 via Autotalk
  
  Private buyers made up almost 60% of new battery electric vehicle registrations in October, according to the MTA.
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• National and Labour quiet on EV salary-sacrifice leasing proposal

  02-11-2026 01:10 via Autotalk
  
  National and Labour have not committed to assessing a proposed salary-sacrifice leasing scheme for EVs.
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• Petrol prices surge to third among voters’ concerns

  01-11-2026 22:40 via Autotalk
  
  Concern about petrol and fuel prices has surged to become the third-biggest issue facing New Zealanders ahead of the election, according to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor. The October survey of 1008 people found 31% identified petrol prices and fuel as a leading concern, up 14 percentage points since September. The issue climbed from seventh […]
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• Auto Trader launches premium advertising offering

  01-11-2026 20:35 via Autotalk
  
  Auto Trader New Zealand has launched a premium advertising offering aimed at brands wanting to reach motorists through the vehicle-buying process.
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• Tesla asks Australia to bring forward its driverless car law, so where does NZ stand?

  01-11-2026 18:00 via Autotalk
  
  Tesla has asked the Australian Government to bring its planned autonomous vehicle law forward by two years and back a 2027 driverless trial.
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• Collecting Cars sets ANZ bidding record in October

  01-11-2026 18:00 via Autotalk
  
  Collecting Cars says its Australia and New Zealand business recorded its highest monthly bidding activity in October.
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• Used passenger imports hit 2026 high as Leaf more than doubles

  31-10-2026 20:23 via Autotalk
  
  Used import registrations totalled 8726 in October 2026, up 18.3% year-on-year.
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• Rentals take 41% as October new passenger registrations rise 10.5%

  31-10-2026 20:23 via Autotalk
  
  New passenger registrations reached 11,824 in October 2026, up 10.5% year-on-year, with rental fleets taking 4848.
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• Volkswagen earnings plunge as group launches $61.6b cost programme

  30-10-2026 02:18 via Autotalk
  
  Volkswagen Group’s operating profit was almost wiped out during the first nine months of 2026 as tariffs, weaker Chinese demand, pricing pressure and major impairment charges weighed on earnings. Operating profit fell 98.7% to €71 million (NZ$141m), down from €5.4 billion (NZ$10.74b) in the same period last year. Sales revenue declined 2.2% to €233.4b (NZ$463.53b), […]
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• New WoF inspection rules take effect from November 1

  30-10-2026 02:08 via Autotalk
  
  New Zealand’s vehicle inspection rules will change from November 1, with newer cars requiring less frequent Warrant of Fitness checks and motorists facing higher penalties for unsafe vehicles. NZ Transport Agency says the changes reflect improvements in the safety and reliability of modern vehicles. Under the new rules, new cars will not require their next […]
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• Petrol and diesel prices set to rise as import costs climb

  29-10-2026 22:25 via Autotalk
  
  New Zealand motorists can expect petrol and diesel prices to increase, with petrol rising faster, according to Waitomo Group’s latest fuel market update. The fuel retailer says record freight costs from Singapore and a weaker New Zealand dollar are adding to the price of imported fuel. It says the Reserve Bank’s unexpected decision to hold […]
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• TyreLAND opens at Winger Motors West Auckland

  29-10-2026 22:15 via Autotalk
  
  TyreLAND has opened an on-site operation at Winger Motors West Auckland, bringing tyre services alongside the dealership’s existing servicing, repairs, WoF inspections and parts offering. The addition means tyre services are now available at all Winger Motors service locations across West Auckland, North Shore, Penrose, Pukekohe and Hamilton. “Another milestone for Winger Motors,” the company […]
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• Xpeng to expand NZ dealer network

  29-10-2026 02:51 via Autotalk
  
  Xpeng Motors is set to expand its New Zealand dealership and service network following the conclusion of its previous distributor arrangement. The Chinese vehicle brand currently has dealerships operating on Auckland’s North Shore and in Hamilton, Christchurch and Tauranga. Three further locations are listed on its website as coming soon: an Xpeng Centre in Greenlane, […]
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• Good Cars creditors face $1.36m shortfall as liquidator takes over

  29-10-2026 02:49 via Autotalk
  
  Good Cars Limited owes creditors an estimated $1.36 million that it is unlikely to repay, its liquidator’s first report shows.
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• Hyundai climbs to 29th in global brand rankings

  29-10-2026 01:02 via Autotalk
  
  Hyundai Motor Company has risen to 29th in Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2026 rankings, with its estimated brand value increasing 2% to US$25 billion. The company also moved from sixth to fourth among automotive brands, extending its run of annual brand-value growth to 17 consecutive years. Hyundai attributes the result to its expanding mobility portfolio, […]
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• RBNZ holds OCR at 2.75% in split vote

  28-10-2026 04:59 via Autotalk
  
  The Reserve Bank has unexpectedly held the official cash rate at 2.75%, with markets and economists having expected a 25-basis-point increase. The Monetary Policy Committee voted four to three to leave the OCR unchanged, highlighting differing views over the timing of further monetary tightening. Four members favoured waiting to assess the effects of two recent […]
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• Former Christchurch car trading company Remuera Wholesale put into liquidation

  28-10-2026 01:38 via Autotalk
  
  Remuera Wholesale Limited, which previously traded cars as RT Motor Group and Easy Pay Online Autos, has been put into liquidation by the High Court.
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• Value Tyres opens Palmerston North distribution centre

  27-10-2026 23:39 via Autotalk
  
  Value Tyres will open a distribution centre in Palmerston North on 2 November, creating four jobs and adding delivery runs across Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki.
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• JAC’s Lump Lottery ute campaign wins Effie and international awards

  27-10-2026 23:11 via Autotalk
  
  JAC New Zealand's Lump Lottery campaign has picked up awards in New Zealand and overseas.
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• JAC-backed Lump Lottery campaign wins international awards

  27-10-2026 22:25 via Autotalk
  
  A campaign offering Kiwi men the chance to win a JAC T9 ute for completing a testicular self-check has collected a series of advertising awards in New Zealand and overseas. The Lump Lottery campaign, created through a partnership between JAC New Zealand, Testicular Cancer New Zealand and Colenso BBDO, received three Silver Effies at the […]
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• James Hay appointed EECA chief executive

  27-10-2026 22:09 via Autotalk
  
  James Hay has been appointed chief executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and will begin the role on December 7.
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• Bapcor trade and network sales improve as turnaround gains traction

  27-10-2026 22:04 via Autotalk
  
  ASX-listed automotive aftermarket group Bapcor has reported higher trade and network sales in the first quarter of its 2027 financial year. The results were included in a trading update delivered at the company’s 2026 annual general meeting on October 22. Total trade parts sales increased 2.5% compared with the first quarter of FY26 and were […]
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• Good Cars placed in liquidation with nothing for unsecured creditors

  27-10-2026 04:26 via Autotalk
  
  Christchurch used import dealer Good Cars Limited has been placed in liquidation, with its receivers reporting there will be no money for unsecured creditors.
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