AA reveals key changes during pandemic

The AA is keeping its Roadservice and Home Response operations going despite all its sites now being shut in the fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Brian Gibbons, chief executive, sent a message to members on March 23, following the government’s announcement it was moving to Covid-19 alert level four. It detailed “key changes to the way we will be operating during this unprecedented time”.

AA sites nationwide, including AA Centres, AA Auto Centres and AA Vehicle Inspection sites are now all closed for at least the next four weeks. AA Driving School driving lessons, assessments, and defensive driving course in car sessions are also suspended until further notice.

“We hope to continue providing AA Roadservice and AA Home Response assistance as essential services … and are currently seeking confirmation from the government that these services will be allowed to continue,” Gibbons, pictured above, explains.

“We are also looking at additional ways these service channels, if they can continue, could be used to help our members during this time.

“The weeks ahead will be difficult for all New Zealanders, but together we will get through this.”

Vehicle testing stations

Vehicle Inspection New Zealand has closed all its outlets effective from the end of March 23 as part of the nation's lockdown, while VTNZ has also shut its driver testing and WOF-only branches.

Both organisations were due to reveal further details about their plans for the coming weeks on their websites and through social media on March 24. 

T-Tech Conference canned

The T-Tech Conference, which was due to be held at Te Papa in Wellington on May 4-5, has been cancelled. 

Intelligent Transportation Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ) organises the annual event and says “government decisions have usurped any announcements we had hoped to make and finally dictated that no physical event could take place”.

The group says it is cancelling all face-to-face events and is working on some online presentations and webinars for the near future.

MotorSport NZ office shuts down

MotorSport House, the office of MotorSport New Zealand in Thorndon, Wellington, has been closed to the public until further notice due to the Covid-19 situation.

The organisation says while staff will continue to work remotely it will be business as usual, “ensuring the sport does not get left behind”. 

A statement on March 24 says its staff will be contactable by phone and email during normal business hours, and its main phone number – 04 815 8015 – will remain operational. 

Jaguar Land Rover stalls production

Jaguar Land Rover has announced it will temporarily suspend production at its UK manufacturing facilities over the coming week because of the ongoing coronavirus situation. The company says it hopes to resume operations at the sites from April 20. 

The decision follows the suspension of production at its plant in Nitra, Slovakia, on March 20. A joint venture plant in China, which was also closed because of Covid-19, reopened in late February. 

Government support

South Korea is pledging logistical and financial support to help the nation’s automotive industry through the coronavirus crisis.

The government says it will speed up customs clearance, arrange freight transportation and provide liquidity support for the industry, which is facing disruptions to supply chains from Europe and the United States.

Shutdowns at factories and dealerships worldwide are expected to hit South Korean marques such as Hyundai  and Kia.