Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Arrives in New Zealand
While hybrids and PHEVs have not usually been the focus of farmers and rural dwellers, the current Iranian-driven fuel crisis has pushed up fuel costs and created a new interest in the genres.
Toyota New Zealand has broadened its Hilux range with a new entry level two-wheel drive, the WorkMate, aimed at buyers looking for affordability and Toyota reliability.
Replacing the ‘S’ grade as the entry-level choice, the WorkMate is available in single cab chassis and double cab variants, as a two-wheel drive, this with low body height allowing easier loading.
Power is delivered by the proven 2.7L petrol engine producing 122kW /245Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The petrol choice means no road user charges, cheaper registration and lower servicing costs.
Standard equipment includes the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) package with a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert and road sign assist. This has netted the vehicle a 2019 five-star ANCAP safety rating. (No other ute now for sale has that 2019 rating.)
The WorkMate also has a reversing camera as standard, seven airbags and a 6.1-inch touchscreen audio system. All accessories found on the 2WD diesel are compatible with the WorkMate.
Two tray options are available from Toyota for the cab-chassis variant. The Toyota genuine alloy tray has high quality galvanised steel bearers and mounts, while the T Custom steel and timber tray is made of heavy duty galvanised steel with a Transtex industrial plywood deck.
Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.
A leading British farming politician says he's impressed with the positive attitude of New Zealand farmers that he met during his recent trip here.
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
The Southern Dairy Hub (SDH), which runs a demonstration farm for South Island farmers, has a new general manager.
Esther Guy-Meakin has been announced as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
According to a progress report on the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP), New Zealand's horticulture sector is making real progress on the big issues facing growers.
OPINION: The Irish dairy sector is facing a new dilemma - maintaining year-round fresh milk supplies.
OPINION: Could beef cows play an increasingly important role in improving profitability and resilience on hill country farms?