The first new Beetle virtually caused a riot when I drove it round Auckland with 30km on the clock, back in 1998. Now there's another new Beetle, renamed The Beetle to underline the update.

As the new century was hailed it, car manufacturers were feeling a bit retro. Did these automotive rebirths stand the test of time?

Mercedes launched the SL with a drive day in chilly September, but we went the full Monty.

Car yards proved to be one of the more resilient segments of the retail sector last year, according to figures compiled by the Motor Trade Association.

They still call it rush hour, only now it lasts most of the day. As car sales soar, there's a noticeable drop in the number of places you can get them out of second gear.

Fatal accidents, breakdowns and huge traffic backlogs have plagued the first four days of the official Christmas road toll period.

A newborn baby was taken to hospital after a head-on crash. Firefighters had to winch the family's car off a road barrier and wedge the passenger door open to free her.

A Bay of Plenty mother says parents need to be aware of potential danger associated with alloy wheels after her 16-month-old daughter suffered serious burns.