Good year for IMVIA

The chief executive of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (IMVIA) says the Ministry of Transport and NZTA confirm there are no new issues likely to impact on businesses operating in the used-imports sector in the foreseeable future. David Vinsen adds the association is “well-involved on consultation on all relevant issues”. However, there is ongoing policy work into the government’s Safer Journeys strategy, environmental issues and emerging technology. “The area with direct relevance to our industry is safer vehicles,” he says in his annual report. “The only issue that has relevance to our industry was the introduction of the electronic stability control rule, which is due to the effect the used-vehicle industry progressively from 2016.” Another new policy is ACC’s levy-bands system, which comes into force on July 1. “The key issue is to ensure vehicles are correctly rated so they fall into the appropriate band.” Another key future issue is how intelligent transportation systems will be rolled out in this country and Vinsen points out there has been an increased focus on electric vehicles over the past few years. The IMVIA continues to consult and liaise with the EECA on the fuel-economy labelling process, and is working with the NZTA on updating its fuel-consumption database. The association’s national annual general meeting is being held on May 27 in Christchurch. It will be preceded by the South Island branch’s AGM, while the North Island meeting is on May 26 in Auckland.