Autofile: Nov 21 – out now
The Hilux’s 32-year run as this country’s best-selling ute is all but over – unless sales of Ford’s Ranger drop back compared to the first 10 months of 2014. The Hilux was sitting on 4,780 sales at the end of October compared to the Ranger on 5,072 – a difference of 292. The full-year gap between the two utes in 2013 was 118 units. Steve Prangnell, of Toyota NZ, told Autofile: “We don’t have the numbers to sell and cannot drag in the Ranger at our current rates.” Read more in the November 21 issue of Autofile The Minister of Transport believes electric vehicles (EVs) can play to this country’s strengths. Simon Bridges made the comments at the official opening of New Zealand’s first BMW i dealership. “I acknowledge Mighty River Power making a clever decision to go with EVs. I think you’re going to see more businesses that because EVs make sense.” Bridges added their sales may “get into the thousands – then tens of thousands – in the medium to long term”. Issues have been raised about a discussion document on improving the information finance providers supply to people taking out loans. The government has put out proposals for consultation as part of the so-called loan-shark laws. But the Financial Services Federation, which represents many motor-vehicle credit providers, has raised issues around the timescale and costs. Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Prime Minister, has called an election for mid-December – two years early. He’s delaying second consumption tax hike planned for October 2015 following the first increase in April. The government hoped this would boost government income, but people stopped spending instead. The tax hike has also hit sales of new cars with October being the fourth month in a row for drops. Timaru is booming on the back of a strong primary sector and an expanding port that’s driving exports overseas with locals benefitting from a surging jobs market. But what effect is this and the Christchurch rebuild having on the automotive industry? Find out in this issue’s regional report. Are EVs so much greener? Kit Wilkerson, the IMVIA’s policy analyst and adviser, discusses their environmental benefits in New Zealand. There are two primary areas to examine. One is the cost to the environment in manufacturing the vehicles. Find out what the other is. Google Analytics is a very useful tool to measure online performance, says Motorcentral’s Darren Marmont. “When it comes to your wesite, there is an endless amount of data that can be captured for analysis.” Heartland NZ says its strategy is to occupy leading positions in specialist and less-contested areas of banking. Its primary focus will be on the Kiwi market where it has a long history and confidence to grow its businesses. EECA officers are visiting car traders help with compliance matters. Compliance for franchises is coming in at 95 per cent and at 91 per cent for used dealerships – “a fantastic result”. We get inside the new Ford Everest SUV and Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta, while Mopar fleet of modified vehicles in Las Vegas included Jeep’s Dakar – “the most extreme Cherokee ever”. PLUS: Seven dedicated pages of industry statistics and analysis, draft responsible lending code, The Colonial Motor Company’s success, updates on MTF, finance and insurance with Protecta, the latest drink-driving rules and tribunal reports. Click here to read the November 21 issue of Autofile
