Alright, let's kick things off with the hot topics of the day. First up, Tesla. Its share price tanked by a whopping 14% last week. Seems like the feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has gone full public spectacle. Musk's tweet about the Epstein files? Just wild.Absolutely. And let's not forget the broader implications here. That kind of public dispute—it’s not just gossip. When you bring governmental contracts and investor confidence into question, it’s bound to shake things up. Tesla lost US$153 billion in market value overnight.Yeah, and Trump really hit back, right? Pointing to federal subsidies, basically saying, "We could just cut you off." That’s gotta be... well, scary for Tesla, especially with the government involvement in SpaceX too.Exactly, and it marks such a shift because these two were once politically quite aligned. It’s fascinating to see how quickly things change when money and power are on the table.Alright, next hot topic. It’s Subaru. They’ve confirmed pricing and specifications for New Zealand’s favorite— the Forester SUV! Three petrol variants, three hybrids. Starts at forty-nine, nine-ninety for the AWD. What’s standing out for you with this one?Well, it’s really the hybrid tech. Subaru’s stepping up their game in an already competitive SUV market. They’re bringing symmetrical all-wheel drive with hybrid power, which seems like a win on paper, at least. It feels like they’ve thought of everything Kiwis want—comfort, capability, and, now, efficiency.And available next month, yeah?That’s right. July 2025, just in time to capitalize on Fieldays buzz. The AWD hybrid Touring is gonna be one to watch.Okay, moving on. Time for a quick break. Today’s podcast is sponsored by Autocheck. Stop paying too much for vehicle checks. Get your comprehensive vehicle reports for less. Check out Autocheck.co.nz, your trusted vehicle data provider.Now, onto the Best of the Rest for the day. First, Cupra owners are in for a treat—three years of free servicing on all new vehicles. That’s peace of mind, right there.It really is. And it’s clever, too. They’re not just offering thrilling vehicles like the Formentor, but also focusing on making ownership seamless and enjoyable.Alright, let’s keep it rolling. In other news today, BYD’s cute city EV model, the Seagull, is under consideration for New Zealand. They’re aiming to price it under thirty grand. Affordable for a compact EV. That’s gotta turn some heads.Definitely. It’s a smart move from BYD, expanding where the demand exists. Pair that with their growing dealer network, and it’s a recipe for success in the Kiwi market.Honda next—they’re diving hard into hybrids, planning thirteen new models between 2027 and 2030. Hydraulic-hybrid tech, whatever you call it, might just bridge that electric transition struggle.Exactly. It’s also a response to those soft EV sales and slowing regulations in markets like the US. It’s adaptive strategy at work.In International EV News today, we’ve got flying cars! Alef Aeronautics plans to deliver the first “true” electric flying car by the end of the year. It sounds bananas, but pre-orders are already strong.It sure does. They're claiming better energy efficiency than Teslas? That’s a bold statement. But with over 3,400 orders secured, some people clearly believe it’s the future.Finally, our One Liners today. Genesis Energy’s building a grid-scale battery at Huntly, a step forward for NZ energy storage. And 63% of fleets are eyeing alternative energy. Big moves, huh?Volvo’s also tweaking seat belts for better safety in their EX60. Practical updates can have such big impacts.And to top it all off—Chery has priced its Tiggo 4 from just under 25K. Affordable entry point there. Oh! And Audi? They’ve got gaming chairs now! Talk about living the brand dream.And that’s all for today’s Full Brief. Thanks for joining us for all the latest in NZ’s automotive industry. Catch ya tomorrow!

Episodes

NZ Automotive News - 9th June 2025