Richard Bosselman

Legacy, Outback fast-tracked to NZ

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:50:20 -0800

A strengthened Yen has allowed Subaru to tell a good news tale for pricing of its latest-generation Legacy and Outback cars.

Massive increases feared two months ago when the NZ dollar to Japanese Yen rate was at a low have become modest ones, with the new models now generally costing around $2000 more than the old range equivalents. ...

Supercar supermini

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:11:18 -0800

James Bond would be shaken, not stirred, and so might many other faithful - building a supermini is certainly a big step away from traditional territory for supercar specialist Aston Martin.

But the unknown land of small engines, tight dimensions and huge thrift is where the big bore Brit is heading, and here's the proof.

It's called the Cygnet and is a joint venture with Toyota. ...

Stars in their eyes

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:24:37 -0800

Seen the latest Star Trek film? Then you'll be familiar with the ongoing work of the Nissan designer responsible for the front-end of the new, second-generation Murano.

But, in case you're not, let's explain. After completing his work for Nissan, the guy moved out to Hollywood and became a movie set model-maker. ...

Great Wall desire

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:13:44 -0800

Hear that rumbling? It's the sound of change in the light utility market.

As expected, an aggressive campaign to insert the first Chinese-made vehicles into the New Zealand market has begun with a price revolution.

Ateco Automotive New Zealand had vowed an aggressive strategy for the Great Wall Motors models. ...

Territorial gain hard to spot

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:23:27 -0800

The society for the protection of the word 'new' might well be ready to pen a letter of stern admonishment to Ford.

The subject of discontent? The freshened Territory - because it's barely freshened.

In dealerships now, the SY II represents the first significant improvement for the five-year-old car since it adopted the ZF six-speed auto, but don't get too excited. ...

No change for now...

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:36:24 -0800

Loss-making millstones Saab and Hummer are heading into new ownership arrangements, but for the present the elite Premium Brands' operation Holden conceived to sell them here still operates as usual.

That's the response from Holden New Zealand after an approach for comment about the future prospects of these brands.

We wanted to know what happens with Hummer and Saab once they go to their new owners, deals that are likely to be fully sorted before year-end. ...

Rework for Ford and Nissan

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:31:21 -0800

Some recalls take longer to enact than others.

For drivers of Falcon sedans, wagons and utilities kitted out with the factory-fitted LPG system, called E-Gas, the letter is in the mail now.

But owners of previous-generation (Z50) Murano sports utes and (J31) Maxima sedans can chill out for now. ...

Dark Forces

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:31:21 -0800

When Ferry 'Butzi' Porsche started it all, he needed just one kind of car - a small, two-door lightweight sportster - running on one kind of fuel, petrol, to realise a fantastic world-changing dream.

Look at Porsche now. Butzi's iconic rear-engined baby, the jewel-in-the-crown 911, is surrounded by family. ...

Little Miss Sunshine

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:48:59 -0800

Fiat's importer has opened up just a little about how one of the world's smallest - and cutest - convertibles will be prepped for New Zealand.

Price of the open top version of the retro-rooted 500C is still not being discussed, and no surprise why.

The car is not here until mid-2010, Fiat New Zealand says, which suggests Fiat build and delivery times are not up to Japanese standard. ...

Dollar-saver diesel Fiesta

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:20:31 -0800

Kiwis may well soon count themselves among customers for a Fiesta derivative that could gun for the title of New Zealand's most fuel-efficient car.

uckland-headquartered Ford New Zealand has confirmed that the decision to add the ECOnetic derivative to the Fiesta lineup in Australia from late this year makes it much more certain that the ultra frugal diesel will also show here, potentially within the same timeframe. ...