AA backs call for reversing cameras
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The AA has joined The Dog & Lemon Guide, St John, Plunket Society and Consumer New Zealand in calling for ...
St John backs calls for reversing cameras
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
St John has joined the growing body of safety groups calling for the wider use of reversing cameras as a means of reducing driveway deaths.
Jaimes ...
Reversing cameras help prevent driveway deaths
Monday, July 26th, 2010 in Media, New Zealand, Transport, Vehicle Safety
The Dog & Lemon Guide, Plunket Society and Consumer New Zealand are calling for the wider use of reversing cameras as a ...
Government ignored advice that cellphone ban wouldn’t work
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The government ignored major overseas studies showing that motorists tend to ignore cellphone bans. Recent studies have confirmed that the cellphone ban is ...
Proposed Alcohol Legislation Won’t Work
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
Adults who knowingly supply alcohol to underage drinkers should be heavily penalised if those underage drinkers cause serious harm while drunk, according to a leading ...
Electric Cars a Major Environmental Threat
Sunday, March 28th, 2010 in Australia, Energy, Media, New Zealand, Transport
Despite their ‘green’ image, electric cars are often less efficient and more polluting than the petrol cars they replace, according to a major report released ...
Call for mass of ‘keep left’ road signs
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
All major roads in New Zealand should have regular ‘keep left’ signs in multiple languages, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson ...
Recession behind lower road toll
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 in Australia, Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
Claims by the police that new rules have lowered the road toll are probably wishful thinking, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive ...
Avoid driving around New Year’s Day full moon
Monday, December 21st, 2009 in Media, Vehicle Safety
Motorists should stay off the road around New Year’s Day, says the car buyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:
“The Christmas period, including ...
Headlights on to survive Christmas
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 in Media, Vehicle Safety
All vehicles on the road should have their lights on over Christmas, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says: “A car ...
Expert calls for driver’s license camps for young Maori
Friday, December 11th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The government needs to empower Maori communities to educate and train their own people to safely operate cars, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon ...
BMW misleading public over reliability claims
Saturday, November 7th, 2009 in Australia, Media, New Zealand
Claims by BMW that its cars are the most reliable in the UK are misleading and untrue, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon ...
Car guide slams safety regulations
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 in Australia, Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
Tradesmen are treated as second-class citizens as far as road safety is concerned, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson was commenting ...
Car industry points to ongoing recession
Monday, August 31st, 2009 in Media
The global car industry is likely to begin a second round of bankruptcies as the current economic upturn falters, says the carbuyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor ...
Fining motorists who run out of gas “bizarre”
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Transport
A proposal to fine motorists who run out of fuel on Auckland’s motorways is both inappropriate and cruel, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon ...
‘Safer Journeys’ document misses the point
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The government’s ‘Safer Journeys’ discussion document, which seeks public consultation on road safety issues, is mainly a repeat of the failed policies of the past, ...
Fines and disqualification do not reduce offending – major study.
Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
Fines and disqualification often have little effect on driver behaviour, and may make a bad situation worse, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Matthew-Wilson ...
Cellphone ban may not work
Thursday, August 13th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The government’s cellphone ban won’t work unless it actually changes driver behavior, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson – whose road ...
Warning over diesel vehicles
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 in Australia, Energy, Media, New Zealand
Small diesel cars are not the bargain they appear to be, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:
“Small diesels often ...
Warning over diesel vehicles
Monday, August 3rd, 2009 in Australia, Energy, Media, New Zealand, Transport
Small diesel cars are not the bargain they appear to be, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:
“Diesels often seem cheaper ...
Warning over illegal car dealers
Monday, July 27th, 2009 in Australia, Media, New Zealand
Car buyers should be wary of unlicensed car dealers posing as private sellers, says the car buyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says: “You ...
Cellphone ban may not work
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The government’s proposed cellphone ban may have little effect on the road toll says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson – whose ...
Car guide slams Chinese vehicles
Friday, July 10th, 2009 in Australia, Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The first Chinese-made vehicles to arrive in Australasia have been savaged in a review by the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide, which describes them ...
ACC changes would penalize poor people
Friday, July 3rd, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Transport, Vehicle Safety
Proposals to make owners of older, less safe, cars pay more in ACC levies than those in newer, safer, cars, will simply penalise the poor, ...
Motorists robbed by trucking plans
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Transport, UncategorizedThe trucking industry is effectively being subsidised by other road users, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Commenting after the government announced plans to
...Call for government to require Electronic Stability Control on all new vehicles
Thursday, June 25th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The New Zealand government should follow the lead of Australia and require Electronic Stability Control on all new passenger cars and SUVs, says the car ...
Time to seize cellphones used by drivers
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The police should have the power to temporarily seize cellphones being used by drivers while a car is in motion, says a leading road safety ...
Holden still faces grim future
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 in Australia, Media
Holden’s future as a carmaker is still grim, despite today’s announcement that the bankrupt General Motors won’t be closing its Australian Holden plants, says the ...
Carr deluding voters over Holden
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 in Australia, Media
Industry Minister Kim Carr is deluding both himself and his voters over the future of Holden, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive ...
Expert calls for prosecutions over unsafe commercial vehicles
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The Department of Labour should prosecute employers who make workers use unsafe vehicles, says the car buyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:
“The law ...
Chinese takeover of Holden “a real possibility”
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 in Australia, Media
Speculation that Australia's iconic Holden brand will be sold to a Chinese company is valid, but this will not save Australian jobs, says the car ...
Government needs to rethink road safety strategy
Monday, April 27th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
The weekend road toll should serve as a wakeup call to the government, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says New ...
Car safety expert backs plan to raise drinking age
Monday, April 27th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
One of New Zealand’s leading road safety experts backs proposals to raise the drinking age, as part of a package of measures aimed at easing ...
Australian car assembly industry doomed
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 in Australia, Media, New Zealand
Australia’s car assembly industry will not survive the economic recession, and Holden will probably be the first to go, says the car buyers’ Dog & ...
Public being mislead over roading
Friday, March 20th, 2009 in Media, New Zealand, Transport
The government is being less than honest with the public over its roading plans, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:
“The government ...
Cheap Chinese cars may deal deathblow to Australian assembly industry
Monday, March 9th, 2009 in Media
Chinese cars could deal a deathblow to the Australian car assembly industry, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide. Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, said today: ...
Missing car keys costing motorists thousands
Monday, March 2nd, 2009 in Media
Some car buyers are having to spend thousands to get their vehicles running when they lose or break their remote car key, says the car ...
Holden’s small car will need a miracle
Monday, December 22nd, 2008 in Australia, Media
Holden is making promises that it may not be able to keep, says a leading car industry expert.
Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the car buyers’ Dog ...
Roller coaster ahead for oil prices
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 in Australia, Energy, Media, New Zealand
Cheap fuel prices are a Christmas present that may not last very long, says the carbuyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said today:
“Low ...
How about a half price car?
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 in Australia, Media
Australians could get their cars for up to 50% less if they did their homework first, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide .
Dog ...
Car industry collapse could decimate Kiwi economy
Monday, December 8th, 2008 in Australia, Media, New Zealand, Transport
The meltdown in the world’s car industry could have far-reaching effects for New Zealanders, says a car industry expert.
Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the car buyers’ ...
Ford plant announcement won’t save local industry
Thursday, November 20th, 2008 in Australia, Media
Ford’s announcement that it will keep its Victorian engine plant open until 2010 will do little to save the Australian car assembly industry, says a ...
Australian car industry bailout doomed to failure
Sunday, November 9th, 2008 in Australia, Media
The Australian government’s $6billion car industry bailout is simply rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, says a leading car industry expert.
Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of ...
Call for National to disclose its relationship with toll road company
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 in Media, New Zealand, Transport
The National Party must disclose its true relationship with toll road company Macquarie New Zealand, says the car buyer’s watchdog, The Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor ...
National evades tough questions over toll roads
Sunday, October 19th, 2008 in Media, New Zealand
With less than three weeks till the election, the National Party still hasn’t answered the hard questions on toll roads, says the car buyers’ watchdog, ...
Australia should prepare for the end of its car assembly industry
Monday, October 13th, 2008 in Australia, Media
The recent loss of 500 jobs at Ford Australia is the beginning of the end for car assembly in Australia, says a leading car industry ...
Don’t invest in classic cars – expert
Sunday, October 12th, 2008 in Media, Transport
Classic cars are a very poor investment, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Dog & Lemon Guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, says:
“With the current economic ...
Expert predicts bloodbath in the New Zealand car industry
Monday, October 6th, 2008 in Media, New Zealand
A third of New Zealand’s car dealers could go out of business in the next 18 months, says a leading car industry commentator.
Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor ...
If politicians were cars …
Saturday, September 6th, 2008 in Media, New Zealand
If politicians were cars, how would they be rated by The Dog & Lemon Guide?
Helen Clark becomes a Hummer battlewagon. John Key becomes a smooth ...
Motoring expert repeats challenge to National over toll roads
Monday, August 25th, 2008 in Media, New Zealand, Transport
The National Party still needs to answer the hard questions on toll roads, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said today:
“National ...
Motoring expert challenges National over toll roads
Thursday, August 14th, 2008 in Media, New Zealand, Transport
The National Party needs to clarify its position on toll roads, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said today:
“National is promising ...
Safety survey “pack of lies”
Monday, July 28th, 2008 in Australia, Media, Vehicle Safety
A leading road safety campaigner has savaged a recently released list of safe and unsafe second hand vehicles. The study, compiled by Australia’s Monash University ...
Safety survey “pack of lies”
Monday, July 28th, 2008 in Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
A leading road safety campaigner has savaged a recently released list of safe and unsafe second hand vehicles. The study, compiled by Australia’s Monash University, ...
Expert issues warning over motorbikes
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 in Australia, Media, New Zealand, Vehicle Safety
Motorcycle riders are around 14 times more likely to be killed than a person driving a car.
The recent dramatic rise in motorscooter sales will inevitably ...
Expert issues warning over motorbikes
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 in Australia, Media, Vehicle Safety
Motorcycle riders are around 20 times more likely to be killed than a person driving a car.
The recent dramatic rise in motorscooter sales will inevitably ...
Electricity shortage raises new doubts about electric cars
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 in Energy, Media, New Zealand, Transport
The current shortage of electricity raises further doubts about the viability of electric cars, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
“The Minister of Energy ...
UN urges caution over biofuels
Monday, April 7th, 2008 in Energy, Media
United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon has acknowledged a growing concern over the environmental effects of biofuels.
Speaking in Hungary this week, Ban Ki-moon said:
"We
...‘Green’ car conference a sham
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 in Energy, Media, New Zealand
New Zealanders shouldn’t be fooled by quick fixes to the current energy crisis, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says yesterday’s ...
‘Green’ cars are mostly a sham
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 in Australia, Energy, Media
Australians shouldn’t be fooled by quick fixes to the current energy crisis, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says most ‘green’ ...
Time to seize cellphones used by drivers
Monday, March 17th, 2008 in Media, Vehicle Safety
The police should have the power to seize cellphones being used by drivers while a car is in motion, says a leading road safety expert.
Clive ...
Holden urged to act over faulty handbrakes
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 in Media, Vehicle Safety
Holden should follow the example of its British sister company and recall the recent Vectra model because the handbrake may fail without warning, says ...
Experts agree on the safety value of daytime headlights
Thursday, February 21st, 2008 in Media, Vehicle Safety
Recent claims that daytime headlight use will not lower the road toll are completely out of tune with the best available research, says one of ...
Scientists call for halt to biofuels
Sunday, February 10th, 2008 in Energy, Media
Ten leading American ecological scientists have sent a letter to President Bush and the speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, urging that current biofuels policies ...
Proposed Auckland motorway “an act of insanity” – expert
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 in Media, Transport
The government’s proposed new motorway is an act of insanity, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said today,
“For the last three ...
Mitsubishi plant closure “one more nail in the coffin” for Australian car manufacturing
Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 in Media
The closure of the Mitsubishi Motors plant is one more nail in the coffin of the Australian assembly industry, says a leading car expert.
Clive Matthew-Wilson, ...
Full moon may increase antisocial behaviour – safety expert
Monday, February 4th, 2008 in Media, Vehicle Safety
There is credible scientific evidence linking lunar cycles and antisocial behaviour, according to a leading road safety researcher.
Clive Matthew-Wilson, who edits the car buyer’s Dog ...
General Motors conning public over electric cars
Monday, January 14th, 2008 in Energy, Media
General Motors is either deluded or deceitful in its promotion of electric cars as the way of the future, says the car buyer’s Dog & ...
Warning Over European Cars (Australia)
Monday, December 10th, 2007 in Media
Australian motorists who buy European brands are unwittingly buying some of the world's worst cars, says the car buyers' bible, The Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor ...
Warning Over European Cars (New Zealand)
Monday, December 10th, 2007 in Media
New Zealand motorists who buy European brands are unwittingly buying some of the world's least reliable cars, says The Dog & Lemon Guide and the ...
Time to get real over alcohol
Thursday, December 6th, 2007 in Media, Vehicle Safety
New Zealand should treat alcohol in the same way it treats other addictive drugs, according to a leading road safety campaigner.
Clive Matthew-Wilson, whose pioneering work ...
UN urges caution over biofuels
Sunday, November 18th, 2007 in Energy, Media
United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon has acknowledged a growing concern over the environmental effects of biofuels. Speaking in Brazil, Ban Ki-moon said:
“Some fear that ...
Government’s biofuels strategy ‘doomed to failure’
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 in Energy, Media
The government’s biofuels strategy will do little to decrease New Zealand’s C02 emissions, while penalising poorer drivers due to higher fuel costs, according to the ...
Facts on biofuels, with references
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 in Media
Many current biofuels use more energy to create than they give out; that is, the amount of energy used in growing, fertilising, harvesting and processing ...
Hydrogen cars are “fantasy technology”
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 in Energy, Media
BMW’s hydrogen-powered limousine is nothing more than “fantasy technology,” according to the car buyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide (BMW’s release is below).
Dog & Lemon ...
Safety expert backs calls to pull Falcon tv ad
Sunday, September 16th, 2007 in Media, Vehicle Safety
Land Transport New Zealand’s new $2million anti-speeding advertisement is an expensive waste of money and should be scrapped, according to one of New Zealand’s leading ...
Expert rejects electric cars
Wednesday, September 12th, 2007 in Media
Electric cars are not a miracle cure for our transport needs, says the car buyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said today:
“Electric cars simply ...
Expert debunks ‘energy myths’
Saturday, August 11th, 2007 in Media
The world isn’t about to run out of oil, hydrogen is useless as an energy source and biofuels are wrecking the environment.
These are just three ...
Expert doubts Australian vehicle assembly can survive
Thursday, July 19th, 2007 in Media
Expert doubts Australian vehicle assembly can survive
The closure of Ford’s Victorian engine plant is probably the beginning of the end for Australian ...
Holden should recall Vectra
Sunday, July 15th, 2007 in Media, Vehicle Safety
Holden should recall their recent Vectra model because the handbrake may fail without warning, says the car buyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide.
Dog & Lemon Guide ...
Time to get real over alcohol
Saturday, July 7th, 2007 in Media
A call by the police to lower the legal blood alcohol limit will not work unless it's part of a package of measures to ...
Fines do not reduce offending
Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 in Media, Vehicle Safety
Fines have little effect on curbing bad driver behaviour, and the government crackdown on unpaid fines will simply make a bad situation worse, according to ...
Parents warned over old Suzuki four-wheel drives
Tuesday, June 12th, 2007 in Media, Vehicle Safety
Suzuki four-wheel drives made before 1998 pose a serious risk to younger drivers, according to road safety experts.
The Dog & Lemon Guide issued the warning ...
Time to end our addiction to oil
Thursday, May 24th, 2007 in Media
New Zealand must reduce the number of cars coming into the country as a first step to easing our addiction to fossil fuels, says ...
Good Read Distracts Driving Doctor
Friday, December 15th, 2006 in Media, Vehicle SafetyRoad safety campaigners say a South Canterbury doctor busted for reading while she was driving has got off far too lightly.
The 62-year-old was ...Campaigners Call for Parent Penalties
Monday, December 11th, 2006 in Media, Vehicle SafetyRoad safety campaigners are calling for parents who supply alcohol to underage drivers to be penalised if something goes wrong.
Clive Matthew-Wilson of the ...Consumers warned over spare tyres
Thursday, December 7th, 2006 in Media
Many new car buyers are unwittingly buying vehicles without spare tyres, according to the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
Dog & Lemon Guide editor Clive ...
Car Thieves Getting Smarter
Monday, October 9th, 2006 in MediaAs cars get smarter so do the thieves targeting them.
Dog and Lemon Guide editor, Clive Matthew-Wilson, says modern car keys often contain a ...NZ Herald - Small Car ‘Death Traps’
Tuesday, September 12th, 2006 in Media, Vehicle SafetyThe New Zealand Herald today published an article with commentary from various motor safety experts on ways that drivers can increase their chances of surviving
...Used Car Safety Rated
Tuesday, June 27th, 2006 in MediaNew safety ratings for used cars show large utes and SUVs are more likely to cause significant harm to other
...