A look back at 2025’s key moments in NZ’s transport and machinery industries, from stalled projects to roading rebounds and rising EV options
The year 2025 was a rough time for many within the industry as New Zealand felt the effects of a tightening world economy. For many, it was a time to sell up equipment and retire, or sell up equipment, downsize and wait for things to pick up. Some didn’t have a choice.
The construction industry saw numerous developments either get put on the back burner or sit in a holding pattern waiting for new entrepreneurs to pick up the pieces.
Following up from the previous year’s work, some infrastructure work rebounded later in the year, with a government push to get the severely neglected national roading system back into some sort of order. The only ones not happy with improvement to roads were probably tyre manufacturers and suspension specialists.
Transportation-wise, the enthusiasm for EV trucks didn’t seem as prevalent as previous years despite the Road User Charge exemption being extended to the July 2027 and government funding assistance up to 25%. Some steps forward were taken though, with the introduction of a couple of new heavy EV truck models that look promising.
Utility manufacturers went head-to-head again with the introduction of even more brands to the market, which now sits at some 10 or 12 different choices for buyers now, although the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux still dominate the list.
Here at Deals on Wheels, the team continued to source articles from around New Zealand and occasionally overseas to keep readers informed and up to date with the heavy equipment and transportation industries, along with the people that make it happen.
Take a look at our highlights from 2025.