Motoringnz
  • News
  • First Drive
  • Tested
  • Videos
  • Views
Motoringnz
  • News/
  • First Drive/
  • Tested/
  • Videos/
  • Views/
117477109.jpg
Motoringnz

Car Stuff You Should Know

News and Car Reviews - Independent and Authoritative

Motoringnz
  • News/
  • First Drive/
  • Tested/
  • Videos/
  • Views/

Latest News

June 11, 2026

Nippy and zippy with zap

June 11, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
Nippy and zippy with zap

Leapmotor is going old school with a future-proofed edge with its  B05, which aims to sell as a hot hatch for battery fans.

Read More
June 11, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
Leapmotor
B10, B05, hot hatch, Simon Rutherford, VW Golf GTi, Smart, BAIC, Dongfeng, Peugeot, JMC, Opel
May 07, 2026

Arcfox first arrival also a pathfinder

May 07, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
Arcfox first arrival also a pathfinder

The initial product coming here from BAIC’s premium marque has also been chosen as a candidate for an exciting technology breakthrough.

Read More
May 07, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
Arcfox
BAIC, Simon Rutherford, Armstrong Group, Auto Distributors NZ, T1, electric, LFP, sodiu, sodium-ion
April 02, 2026

Better Box incoming, original packs up with sales surge

April 02, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
Better Box incoming, original packs up with sales surge

Dongfeng’s baby car has gone from provisioning two airbags to six and adopts more refinements, with market-leading price unchanged.

Read More
April 02, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
Dongfeng
Box, ANCAP, Waka Kotahi, Simon Rutherford, Auto Distributors Limited, ADL, Vigo, 007
March 01, 2026

BAIC big boss enthusiastic about NZ push

March 01, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
BAIC big boss enthusiastic about NZ push

The latest of China’s giant car makers, BAIC, has landed here, with its boss vowing full product support - including potentially even more choices than on distributor’s wish list.

Read More
March 01, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
BAIC
Simon Rutherford, Auto Distributors NZ, Rick Armstrong, B30, B40, X55, ArcFox, Foton, Electric, REV, range extender, hybrid
February 27, 2026

Gone once, gone twice … and now Opel’s gone again

February 27, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
Gone once, gone twice … and now Opel’s gone again

For Germany’s only mainstream brand, once again the phwoar is over.

Read More
February 27, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
Opel
Stellantis, Rick Armstrong, Auto Distributors NZ, Simon Rutherford, Russelsheim, PSA, Peugeot, Citroen, Leapmotor, BAIC
February 20, 2026

Box safety improvements yet to be unpacked

February 20, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
Box safety improvements yet to be unpacked

Dongfeng distributor says there’s no hiding from baby EV’s shortcoming. “It is what it is.” 

Read More
February 20, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
Dongfeng
ANCAP, VSR, European NCAP, Waka Kotahi, Simon Rutherford
January 27, 2026

Performance shove: 007 out to shake and stir

January 27, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
Performance shove: 007 out to shake and stir

Almost as quick as Tesla’s rocket - and half the price.

Read More
January 27, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
Dongfeng
007, Long Range, Performance, Simon Rutherford, EV, electric, LFP
November 24, 2025

China Inc: When push becomes shove

November 24, 2025/ Richard Bosselman
China Inc: When push becomes shove

More than two dozen Chinese vehicle brands are now represented in NZ, and all have ambition to be powerhouses.

Read More
November 24, 2025/ Richard Bosselman/
Industry
China, BYD, Atto 3, Shark 6, Warren Willmot, GWM, Dean Sheed, Simon Rutherford, Cameron Thomas, MIA, NCAP, ANCAP
November 18, 2025

BAIC adds to Armstrong’s arsenal

November 18, 2025/ Richard Bosselman
BAIC adds to Armstrong’s arsenal

Two sports utility models first arrivals from the state-owned mega-maker.

Read More
November 18, 2025/ Richard Bosselman/
BAIC, Armstrong's Distribution
BAIC, Rick Armstrong, Dongfeng, Leapmotor, Opel, Peugeot-Citroen, Smart, X55, B30, Wang Jianhui, Simon Rutherford
October 17, 2025

Opel under review: Low sales, EV slump has hurt

October 17, 2025/ Richard Bosselman
Opel under review: Low sales, EV slump has hurt

Germany’s only mainstream brand returned in 2022 with a plan to exploit  Clean Car rebates - those have gone, it’s struggling. End of story?

Read More
October 17, 2025/ Richard Bosselman/
Opel
Auto Distributors NZ, Simon Rutherford, Euro, Clean Car, electric, EV
October 17, 2025

Self-drive function among potentials for Leapmotor

October 17, 2025/ Richard Bosselman
Self-drive function among potentials for Leapmotor

Leapmotor B10 has landed with an advanced technology suite, but self-drive requires one more ingredient.

Read More
October 17, 2025/ Richard Bosselman/
Leapmotor
Stellantis, Snapdragon, Brian Carr, Simon Rutherford, Auto Distributors NZ, FSD, 4G, B10, C10
October 01, 2025

Dongfeng joins China brand onslaught

October 01, 2025/ Richard Bosselman
Dongfeng joins China brand onslaught

Another huge automotive entity out of China will represent by Armstrong Group; outlets opening soon.

Read More
October 01, 2025/ Richard Bosselman/
Dongfeng
AutoDistributors NZ, Rick Armstrong, Simon Rutherford, Zhu Xun, Armstrong Group
July 04, 2025

Leapmotor baby electric incoming

July 04, 2025/ Richard Bosselman
Leapmotor baby electric incoming

B10 set to start in full battery form, but range extender expected next year.

Read More
July 04, 2025/ Richard Bosselman/
Leapmotor
Simon Rutherford, Ford, Stellantis, Armstrongs, Auto Distributors, B10
May 08, 2025

Euro, Chinese brands for former Ford NZ boss

May 08, 2025/ Richard Bosselman
Euro, Chinese brands for former Ford NZ boss

Simon Rutherford says bye-bye to Blue

Read More
May 08, 2025/ Richard Bosselman/
Peugeot
Simon Rutherford, Ford NZ, ADNZ, Auto Distributors NZ, Armstrong Group, Rick Armstrong
May 16, 2024

From fizz and phones to Ford

May 16, 2024/ Richard Bosselman
From fizz and phones to Ford

Latest head of Blue Oval’s national operation announced.

Read More
May 16, 2024/ Richard Bosselman/
Ford
Annaliese Atina, Simon Rutherford, Andrew Birkic, Ford NZ
June 14, 2023

Biturbo diesel back in Raptor

June 14, 2023/ Richard Bosselman
Biturbo diesel back in Raptor

Raptor is going back to previous choice 2.0-litre diesel as an understudy to the high performance but high cost petrol V6.

Read More
June 14, 2023/ Richard Bosselman/
Ford
Raptor, V6, bitrubo, Ranger, Ford NZ, Simon Rutherford
April 07, 2023

Battery baby Transit for NZ - but not yet

April 07, 2023/ Richard Bosselman
Battery baby Transit for NZ - but not yet

Announcement of Ford’s small electric van lends thought a passenger edition might also join it.

Read More
April 07, 2023/ Richard Bosselman/
Ford
E-Transit, E-Transit Courier, Ford NZ, Simon Rutherford
March 29, 2023

Forget Explorer, but how about Capri?

March 29, 2023/ Richard Bosselman
Forget Explorer, but how about Capri?

This famous nameplate seems set to return, this time attached to an electric car. Does NZ stand a chance?

Read More
March 29, 2023/ Richard Bosselman/
Ford
Capri, Ford NZ, Tom Clancy, Simon Rutherford, Clean Car, EXplorer, electric, hybrid
November 30, 2022

Ranger pushes plush with Platinum trim

November 30, 2022/ Richard Bosselman
Ranger pushes plush with Platinum trim

Latest version of Ford’s top-selling ute will be a limited edition here.

Read More
November 30, 2022/ Richard Bosselman/
Ford
Ranger, Ranger Platinum, V6, Raptor, Ford NZ, Simon Rutherford
September 05, 2022

Alternate engines considered for NZ-market Raptor

September 05, 2022/ Richard Bosselman
Alternate engines considered for NZ-market Raptor

Clean Car’s impact on high-energy petrol V6 has forced Ford NZ to come up with ‘what if’ contingencies.

Read More
September 05, 2022/ Richard Bosselman/
Ford
Raptor, Ford New Zealand, Simon Rutherford, V6, petrol
  • Next
  • News/
  • First Drive/
  • Tested/
  • Videos/
  • Views/

Motoringnz

MotoringNZ reviews new cars and keeps readers up-to-date with the latest developments on the auto industry. All the major brands are represented. The site is owned and edited by New Zealand motoring journalist Richard Bosselman.

By Brand Logo.png

NEWS

TESTED

FIRST DRIVE


No results found

250x350 Dummy Block Ad.jpg

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

NEWS
New Q7 reveals with dark heart
June 12, 2026
New Q7 reveals with dark heart
June 12, 2026
June 12, 2026
First Drive
Toyota Hilux BEV first drive: Giant leap best for short adventures
May 27, 2026
Toyota Hilux BEV first drive: Giant leap best for short adventures
May 27, 2026
May 27, 2026
Tested
MINI Cooper JCW Convertible road test review: Zoom with a view
June 12, 2026
MINI Cooper JCW Convertible road test review: Zoom with a view
June 12, 2026
June 12, 2026
BMW iX 45/Volvo EX90 Ultra road test review: Big scene stealers
June 3, 2026
BMW iX 45/Volvo EX90 Ultra road test review: Big scene stealers
June 3, 2026
June 3, 2026
Ford Mustang Mach-E Select roadtest review: Jolly green giant
May 25, 2026
Ford Mustang Mach-E Select roadtest review: Jolly green giant
May 25, 2026
May 25, 2026
Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV roadtest review: Out of the black
May 14, 2026
Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV roadtest review: Out of the black
May 14, 2026
May 14, 2026
Mitsubishi Outlander 2026 road test review: Business as usual
May 6, 2026
Mitsubishi Outlander 2026 road test review: Business as usual
May 6, 2026
May 6, 2026
Ford Tourneo Courier Active road test review: Little big feat
April 23, 2026
Ford Tourneo Courier Active road test review: Little big feat
April 23, 2026
April 23, 2026
MG U9 Explore Pro road test review: Big, bold and bountiful
April 14, 2026
MG U9 Explore Pro road test review: Big, bold and bountiful
April 14, 2026
April 14, 2026
Subaru BRZ Kiiro roadtest review: Hue to a thrill
April 8, 2026
Subaru BRZ Kiiro roadtest review: Hue to a thrill
April 8, 2026
April 8, 2026
Mercedes-Benz G450d road test review: Best in black
March 31, 2026
Mercedes-Benz G450d road test review: Best in black
March 31, 2026
March 31, 2026
Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e road test review: Power surge
March 11, 2026
Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e road test review: Power surge
March 11, 2026
March 11, 2026

NEWS        |        FIRST DRIVE        |        TESTED        |        VIDEO        |        CONTACT        |        THE CREW        |        TERMS + CONDITIONS

Motoring NZ Logo WHITE.png