Industry ESC submissions

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) and Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (IMVIA) are supporting a new timescale for mandatory electronic stability (ESC) for vehicles crossing the border submitted to the government by the Motor Industry Association (MIA). ESC will be mandated for light vehicles by the Land Transport Rule: Light Vehicle Brakes Amendment 2014, which will amend the Land Transport Rule: Light Vehicle Brakes 2002. An amended land transport rule is expected to be signed off by Michael Woodhouse, Associate Minister for Transport, in July following public consultation starting in March, but a staggered phase-in from July 2015 different to that tabled has been suggested by the MIA, MTA and IMVIA. It’s for all new passenger cars in classes MA, MB and MC to have compulsory ESC from July 1, 2015, and new model class vehicles from July 1, 2015 – as stated in the proposals. But the three associations are calling for the deadline for existing model class NA vehicles, essentially light commercials, to be February 1, 2017, instead of July 1, 2015. “We support the MIA’s submission on timelines and phasing of the implementation for new class NA vehicles,” says David Vinsen, of the IMVIA. “We do not support the inclusion of used class NA vehicles in the category due for implementation on January 2020. This is because the Japanese authorities have only recently announced the requirement for ESC on new light commercials will be mandatory there from 2017.” However, the IMVIA supports the intention and principle to mandate the fastest practicable introduction and uptake of ESC-equipped vehicles into the national fleet. It has also submitted it should be mandatory for any vehicles imported under a border-check dispensation to be entry certified in preparation for registration with an MR2A issued by July 1 of that year. The MTA supports the MIA’s submission on the timescale, but seeks differentiation between new model class NA and existing model class NA vehicles. Rob McGregor says: “Some existing NA class vehicles being sold in our market wouldn’t meet the new standard and the proposed timing schedule is in advance of Japan. But given the limitations of used vehicle identification and buying processes available in Japan, we aren’t able to promote schedules different from the draft proposal.”