Frank van Meel talks frankly about the BMW M5 PHEV
When it comes to BMW M, Frank van Meel is the ‘THE GUY’. We managed to get an interview with him and discuss all things M – this is part III (Part 1 here, Part II here. Part IV here) Let’s open with a corker – what is his reaction to those that say the […]
Light at the End of the Tunnel – it really is a train
Auckland’s Underground Revolution Takes a Test Drive In a development that has rail enthusiasts literally jumping up and down (though hopefully not on the platforms), Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) project hit a major milestone as the first test train completed its maiden voyage through the city’s newest underground artery. The 3.45km journey from Britomart […]
EV woes sparks Porsche’ need to cut 1900 jobs
German luxury sports car manufacturer Porsche announced today that it will bid farewell to 1,900 employees, apparently discovering that selling fewer cars means needing fewer people to build them. The prestigious manufacturer, known for its cutting-edge engineering and wallet-emptying price tags, has stumbled upon the groundbreaking revelation that perhaps not everyone in China wants to […]
MG Joins Forces with Blues, Super Rugby Pacific Champions
In a move that’s got rugby fans’ engines revving, MG New Zealand has announced its latest power play – becoming the official vehicle partner of the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions, the Blues. The partnership, which could be described as a match made in high-performance heaven, comes fresh off the Blues’ triumphant victory over the […]
Kia’s Electric Dreams – Spanish Showdown Set to Electrify Europe
In what promises to be the automotive equivalent of a Spanish fiesta, Kia Corporation is gearing up to drop some seriously charged announcements at the 2025 Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain . The Korean automaker, clearly not content with just one EV Day under its belt, is taking its electric show on the road […]
BYD’s ‘God’s Eye’ Watches Over All
Either divinely inspired or delightfully presumptuous, Chinese automotive giant BYD has unveiled its newest creation: the “God’s Eye” autonomous driving system. And unlike its celestial namesake, this omniscient observer comes with a surprisingly earthly price tag. In what could be described as a automotive revelation, BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu announced that the company plans to […]
Dashboard Cameras – From Budget Gadget to Road Safety Revolution
It would appear that the humble dashcam has emerged as the unsung hero of road safety, transforming from a luxury gadget into what experts now call an “essential digital witness” for modern drivers. GEM Motoring Assist, a venerable institution in road safety since 1932 , is making waves with their latest advocacy for universal dashcam […]
BMW M – ICE, EV or Both
Interview with Frank van Meel – BMW M Part II – (Part I here. Part III here. Part IV here) For those that don’t know. Franciscus van Meel, the current CEO of BMW M GmbH, has led the German automotive company to remarkable success, recently celebrating their 13th consecutive year of record-breaking sales with 206,582 […]
The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Arrives – well in Aus anyway
GWM has unveiled its latest mechanical masterpiece – the Cannon Alpha PHEV – proving that going green doesn’t mean compromising on grunt. This isn’t your grandmother’s hybrid – it’s a tire-shredding, mud-slinging powerhouse that laughs in the face of range anxiety. With a whopping 300kW of combined power and 750Nm of torque, this electrified utility […]
We chat to Mr BMW M, Frank van Meel on all things M – current and future.
Interview with Frank van Meel – Part 1 (Part II here. Part III here. Part IV here) According to Adam Shaver (Managing Director, BMW Group New Zealand), 2024 was a difficult year for the automotive industry in New Zealand, which is a bit of an understatement. But he says, what’s really exciting is that in many ways […]