Dealers reminded of rebate rules

Some dealers have already fallen foul of the government’s clean-car rebates after incorrectly registering vehicles in their name rather than their customers’.

The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is reminding members to follow the correct procedure when selling battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. 

It says the consumer needs to be the first registered owner of those vehicles for them to be able to apply to the fund, which kicked in on July 1.

David Vinsen, chief executive, says: “We’ve already had a few cases of dealers who have registered vehicles into their own name first and then made a change of ownership, but they have to understand they don’t qualify for the rebate.

“The process must be followed otherwise no rebate will be paid out. The first registration must be into the buyer’s name because they’re the one who gets the rebate and not the dealer.

“We want to remind dealers what they should be doing so we minimise any problems as this scheme gets introduced.”

For more details, phone 0800-842-842 or email info@via.org.nz.