Late rush on high-emitters
Toyota New Zealand has had a number of consumers asking it to deliver vehicles before the end of this month in order to avoid possible penalties once the government’s feebate scheme starts being enforced from April 1.
The company says it also expects a final burst of activity from people wanting to buy utes before the full clean car discount is implemented, which will see fees and rebates applied at registration time to thousands of new and used vehicles when first registered in New Zealand.
Steve Prangnell, Toyota NZ’s general manager of new vehicles, told Autofile Online while buyers are keen to get their hands on high-emitters ahead of the feebate’s rollout, if their vehicles are not available before then they will simply have to accept paying a penalty.
“In terms of fee-attracting vehicles, some customers are asking us to try to deliver those cars before the implementation date and where we can assist we will,” he says
“However, we need to follow the approved process for registration and compliance of new cars into New Zealand regardless of the scheme’s rapidly approaching introduction.
“If a customer’s car has landed in the country and complied then we can deliver it, if it isn’t then we can’t, that’s the law.
“In terms of rebate-qualifying vehicles … the situation is slightly different in that there is less pressure to deliver them early.
“I personally think that pre the implementation date of the clean car discount will see an increased flurry of activity for utes if they are available to be delivered and then post April 1 it will settle down.”
Prangnell, pictured, adds that while the scheme will bring some challenges, other issues such as the international shortage of microchips will prove more testing for the new-car sector over the coming weeks and months.
“The market is tracking strongly and other global factors will have a far greater effect on it than the clean car discount.
“Like every other OEM [original equipment manufacturer] in the world and New Zealand, our forward orders are strong and that strength is across the entire range.
“Our challenges are global, in terms of semi-conductor supply, shipping disruptions, fluctuating manpower resources and production in different countries we build vehicles in.”
