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NEW ZEALAND ENJOYS STRONGEST AUGUST NEW CAR SALES MONTH YET

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Motor Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) chief executive David Crawford says that August’s healthy new-car registration figures, while refreshing news for the industry, were more indicative of shipping timing than a changes in the market.

Crawford describes it as the “strongest month of August on record”, adding that the surge in figures was “largely due to shipments arriving allowing back orders to be filled”.

“The month tally bucks a recent softening market trend bought on by rising costs of living, high fuel prices, continued vehicle supply constraints and a weakening New Zealand economy,” he adds.

According to the MIA, 14,690 new vehicles were registered in August; 10,940 passenger cars and 3750 commercials. Passenger sales were up 138.6% on the same month last year and commercial sales 73.5%; last August having been heavily impacted by COVID-19 alert level 4.

As previously reported, the Ford Ranger (934 registrations) led the month, heading the Toyota Hilux (897) and Tesla Model 3 (745). a “continuing subdued market for light commercial vehicle”.

The top 10 was rounded out by the Mitsubishi Outlander (677), Tesla Model Y (581), BYD Atto 3 (448), Toyota RAV4 (437), Kia Sportage (374), Kia EV6 (354), and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (342).

The models Crawford refers to with shipments arriving include the recently updated Ranger and the new-to-market Model Y and Atto 3.

The latter pairing contributed significantly to what was a strong month for pure EVs. A total of 2530 were registered, not including 27 BEV light commercials and 3 BEV heavy vehicles.

In addition 627 plug-in hybrids were registered (Eclipse Cross leading the Outlander and MG HS), and 1626 hybrids were registered (RAV4 leading Kia Niro, and Toyota Highlander).

Elsewhere, the Mitsubishi Triton narrowly missed out on its first top 10 berth since March, with 298 registrations, while the Suzuki Swift also missed out with its 280 registrations.

Year-to-date the Hilux still leads the Ranger, 6634 to 6408. Mitsubishi’s strong year is underlined by three of their models, the Outlander, Triton, and Eclipse Cross, occupying third, fourth, and sixth.

POLESTAR TO SUPPLY BATTERIES FOR ELECTRIC HYDROFOIL BOAT

CALIFORNIA SET TO BAN NEW ICE CAR SALES BY 2035

Polestar has signed a multi-year agreement to supply battery and charging systems to Swedish hydrofoil electric boat company Candela.

The agreement marks one of the world’s first direct battery technology collaborations between companies from the automotive and marine industries.

Utilising computer-guided hydrofoils which lift the hull above water, Candela’s electric boats ‘fly’ above the surface and use up to 80% less energy at high speeds compared to traditional motorboats.

“As a battery supplier to Candela, we can help drive the transition to cleaner oceans and lakes, and electrifywaterborne transport,” says Polestar chief executive Thomas Ingenlath. Candela chief executive Gustav Hasselskog says: “While electrification of cars has come a long way in the last few years, the marine sector has fallen behind.

“Marrying our efficient hydrofoil technology to highcapacity batteries from Polestar means we can speed up the mass market adoption of electric boats together.”

The supply of battery and charging systems to a third party, a first for Polestar as an EV manufacturer, marks the start of a broader intended partnership between Polestar and Candela.

A ban on new internal combustion engine (ICE) car sales is expected to be applied by the California Air Resources Board in the US state.

Tough rules stopping the sale of fossil fuel new cars are likely to be passed by the agency, US media saying it will have major implications for the US car market considering how large California’s economy is.

The California Air Resources Board will vote on the measure Thursday afternoon (August 25), board member Daniel Sperling told CNN.

The new rules are likely to include new ICE car phase out targets. Starting with 2026 models, 35% of new cars, SUVs and small pickups sold in California would be required to be zero-emission vehicles, according to CNN. “That quota would increase each year, expected to reach 51% of all new car sales in 2028, 68% in 2030 and 100% in 2035. The quotas also would allow 20% of zero-emission cars sold to be plug-in hybrids.”

The new rules aren’t expected to impact used vehicles.

Sperling says he’s “99.9%” confident the measure will pass, which would be one of the first such bans worldwide.

This is the most important thing that CARB has done in the last 30 years, Sperling says. “It’s important not just for California, but it’s important for the country and the world.”

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GR SPORT VARIANT BRINGS MORE DYNAMISM TO YARIS CROSS LINE-UP

Toyota’s light SUV range has been given a dynamic update from the brand’s Gazoo Racing stable in the form of the Yaris Cross GR Sport. which will be available in dealer showrooms from December 2022.

According to Toyota Australia, the Yaris Cross GR Sport offers retuned suspension for a more rewarding driving experience, as well as stylish touches inside and out that distinguish it from the rest of the light SUV line-up.

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It says the GR Sport is clearly differentiated on the outside by 18-inch alloy wheels featuring a 5-twin-spoke design and bright machined finish, while other exterior touches include a unique front grille with a black mesh design, and a more sporty rear diffuser.

Upgraded front sports seats feature suede-like cover with synthetic leather grey upholstery with light grey stitching with the stitching also applied to the steering wheel.

Gunmetal silver trim inserts applied on the doors and instrument panel complement the GR Sport’s aluminium pedals, while GR logos are found throughout the cabin on the front headrests, smart keys and steering wheel. Toyota Australia says the rigid TNGA-B platform underpinning the Yaris Cross affords the urban SUV great chassis balance and nimble handling, which has been further enhanced for the GR Sport with retuned suspension to sharpen steering feel and response and reduce body roll.

Mirroring the C-HR GR Sport, the Yaris Cross GR Sport will be offered exclusively with a 2WD hybrid powertrain, that pairs a 67kW/120Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a pair of motor generators on the front axle that combine to produce a total system output of 85kW.

More details on the Yaris Cross GR Sport will be revealed closer to its release in December.

E-SCOOTER SAFETY VIDEOS LAUNCHED BY RACV

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A suite of videos about riding electric scooters safely and rules protecting riders and other road users has come from the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV).

The videos are available on the arevo by RACV website and feature information on the e-scooter trials in the City of Melbourne, Yarra, Port Phillip and Ballarat.

Topics include how to use an e-scooter, traffic rules, what to do to be safe and how to interact with other modes of transport while riding.

More than one million e-scooter trips in Victoria have occurred since the trials began in February, says RACV mobility general manager Elizabeth Kim.

“RACV is committed to providing Victorians with a choice on how they get around – whether that is by car, on a bike, walking, public transport or on an e-scooter,” she says.

“We want to ensure safety is top of mind for all road users when it comes to e-scooter trials and usage and that’s why we produced these videos available on the arevo by RACV website.

“The videos help Victorians easily understand the rules that apply to e-scooters before they jump on for a ride. The arevo app can also help users plan safe trips around Melbourne using an e-scooter.” RACV has partnered with Lime, which is participating in the Melbourne e-scooter trial.

Lime Australia and New Zealand general manager Hugo Burt-Morris says e-scooter rules vary in the different Australian states, so understanding the laws in Melbourne is important.

“We need to ensure that we continue to communicate all of the rules and safety measures around e-scooters, so that Victorians can use this convenient and cleaner form of transport with full confidence,” he adds.

“Thanks to their convenience of use and lowemission output, e-scooters are proving to be especially popular in Melbourne.

“Safety and compliance information collected from these trials will help us understand the benefits and risks of e-scooters; including how e-scooters are interacting with other road users and what the optimum rules and regulations should be in the longer term.”

Meanwhile, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) is helping drive e-scooter trauma research, with the results to shape policy and laws for improving user safety.