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Auto Trader Insights: The leading NZ car blog for reviews, news, and expert buying and selling advice
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6 May 2026

Chery’s ute naming contest hits the final nine

A world-first plug-in hybrid diesel ute (unless GWM beats them to it) is one public vote away from getting a name, and if the shortlist is anything to go by, it’ll land with a thick Aussie twang. Chery Australia has narrowed down more than 20,000 public submissions to a shortlist of nine names for its upcoming PHEV diesel ute, with
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4 May 2026
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April new car sales: Toyota holds top spot as Chinese brands gain momentum

New vehicle registrations climbed to 9863 units in April 2026, an 11.6% increase compared with the same month last year, when 8839 units were recorded. The result keeps...
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4 May 2026
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Subaru enters Japanese Rally Championship with all-wheel drive BRZ 

Subaru has returned to the rally stage in Japan, but not with its iconic WRX, instead it has opted for its BRZ coupe.  The BRZ has been confirmed...
Honda Prelude in white under the cloud
4 May 2026
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Honda Prelude – first NZ drive

The Honda Prelude is back, after 25 long years. The sixth generation embraces the hybrid age and introduces something called S Plus Shift. It’s a feature that Honda...
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1 May 2026
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Limited-edition Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance Package arrives in New Zealand

Toyota New Zealand has confirmed the new GR Yaris Aero Performance Package is now available locally.  It marks the first performance package to be offered on the GR...
MG4 Urban in blue green
1 May 2026
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MG4 Urban – a new affordable EV benchmark? 

MG New Zealand is bolstering its affordable EV ranks with the introduction of the MG4 Urban and also a timely update for the popular MG4. Interest in battery...
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1 May 2026
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Dreame’s jet-powered electric supercar promises a sub one-second 0-100 time

Chinese tech giant Dreame has unveiled its latest creation; the Nebula NEXT 01 JET Edition. Based on the previously unveiled Nebula electric supercar, this edition ups the ante...
MG UP EV in blue
30 April 2026
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The electric MG U9 ute is coming to NZ, and the S6 too

MG NZ has confirmed that it will introduce two more electric options to New Zealand in the form of the MGS6 SUV and the battery powered U9 ute....
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30 April 2026
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The Garage Club – luxury car storage set to open in 2027

A new purpose-built luxury vehicle storage concept dedicated to the ownership, preservation and enjoyment of luxury and collector vehicles – The Garage Club – has been announced for...
ID Polo in blue
30 April 2026
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Volkswagen reveaIs ID. Polo

Volkswagen has revealed the all-new Volkswagen ID. Polo, bringing the little hatch into the electric era. Unveiled as a fully electric replacement for the long-running Polo in Europe...
11 May 2026
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Mitsubishi reveals Outlander Sport HEV ahead of New Zealand launch

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has unveiled the new Outlander Sport HEV, marking the company’s first hybrid electric vehicle for the New Zealand market as it prepares for a major expansion of its electrified line-up. The compact SUV was shown to Mitsubishi dealers and staff during the company’s Diamond Dealer awards on May 8, ahead of its scheduled local arrival in
Outlander Sport HEV in white under lights
11 May 2026
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Honda shifting national distribution operations from Nelson to Auckland

Honda New Zealand is preparing to relocate its national vehicle distribution operations from Nelson to Auckland, bringing to an end almost 40 years of large-scale distribution activity in the region. The move, expected to take place later this year, is being driven by changes to Honda’s logistics network and a push for greater operational efficiency. Around 10 positions are currently
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11 May 2026
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Lamborghini unveils ultra-exclusive Fenomeno Roadster

Lamborghini has revealed the Fenomeno Roadster, an open-top version of its already extreme hybrid V12 supercar that now claims the title of the most powerful Lamborghini convertible ever produced. Based heavily on the brand’s flagship Revuelto platform, the new Fenomeno Roadster combines dramatic styling with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain delivering 794kW of power. Production will be strictly limited to just
Lamborghini roadster in blue on blue
10 May 2026
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Bridgestone – License to Thrill

Not all tyres are created equal. We head to Bridgestone’s development centre in Thailand to check out the new Potenza Adrenalin RE005.  New Zealanders don’t think enough about their tyres. They are, quite literally, the only thing between you and the road, and there’s not a huge amount of contact patch doing that job either, roughly a hand print per
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