Smart Machines: Oxin gains traction in the US
Marlborough-based agritech company Smart Machines has reached a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionise vineyard management.
KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with the acquisition of SsangYong distribution and five retail outlets.
Meanwhile, KG Global took a majority shareholding in SsangYong in 2023, and with it, a production site in the Gangnan region of Korean capital Seoul with a capacity to build 240,000 vehicles per annum.
The new local distributor also oversees the Subaru and LDV brands. They have recently released details of the all-new KGM Torres medium sized SUV, in three variants, the Torres, Torres 4WD and the Torres EVX (battery electric model). Said to be the first model to reflect KG Mobility’s new global design language and philosophy ‘Powered by Toughness’, Torres is powered by a 1.5 G-Di turbocharged engine mated with a third generation Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission.
The vehicle marks a departure from the previous owner’s traditional design with the introduction of a sleek and modern exterior. KGM New Zealand general manager Kym Mellows says “the SUV market is continually expanding and subdividing, and with Torres, we are filling the gap between medium-sized SUVs such as Korando and large SUVs like Rexton”.
Head of brand marketing for KGM New Zealand Daile Stephens says, “KGM is a modern mobility brand that sets us on the path towards advanced electrification, autonomous driving, and greater mobility for all”.
The Torres 1.5-litre direct injection turbo engine delivers 120kW and 280Nm, while the pure-electric KGM Torres EVX is powered by a 73.4kWh, BYD-sourced Blade Technology battery and uses a single electric motor that produces 201bhp and 339Nm of torque to drive the front wheels. When range tested by the WLTP four-phase test rate, a single charge can deliver a combined pure electric range of 462km, a maximum towing capacity of 1500kg and V2L (vehicleto- load) charging capabilities, so its battery pack can be used to power appliances when you’re outdoors. Batteries are warranted for 1 million km or 10 years.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that events over the last few weeks have highlighted the importance of a strong biosecurity system.
In its submission on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act, DairyNZ says its levy-paying members invested more than $60 million across the biosecurity system last year, through multiple biosecurity levies across several entities and legislative frameworks to collect this funding.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has received 136 submissions on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act.
Nick Beeby has been appointed as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Global beef supply will contract this year for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Rabobank.
Changes to migrant visa settings announced last month should take a lot of pressure off farmers in the new season, says Federated Farmers immigration spokesman Richard McIntyre.
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