THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

August issue out now

Three lead organisations in the automotive industry have heaped scorn on proposals to control what vehicles can be imported. The government’s “clean-car standard” would require importers to cut average greenhouse-gas emissions of stock crossing our border to meet annual targets. The idea has been criticised by VIA, the MIA and MTA – find out why.

Rick Armstrong explains why he’s “staggered” New Zealand’s market for used imports is still going strong. The rich-lister also talks about failing exams and leaving school aged 15. 

Turners Automotive Group has appointed an investment group to carry out a strategic review of Oxford Finance. It will “consider alternative ownership options” as part of looking into how the whole of its business works.

VIA is developing an app to complement its online guide to stock that’s likely to be fitted with ESC ahead of a ban coming into force in March 2020. It’s a vehicle-by-vehicle database of Japan’s domestic fleet to help importers comply with the law. 

2 Cheap Cars has been fined $430,000 after getting its customers to sign “blatantly untrue and misleading” warranty waivers, and running “tantamount to devious” adverts, says the case judge.

The fastest uptake of electric cars nationally has been in Dunedin, judging from the number owned per 1,000 residents – Henrik Moller opines why. And Vector is exploring the transformation of old EV batteries into power storage for homes and businesses.

Plus: Interview with rally driver Emma Gilmour, new cars, disputes and in-depth industry statistics. 

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Autofile magazine 2026 / 3
March ’26

The number of used imports attracting border damage flags has more than doubled in the past year, despite the volume of cars coming into New Zealand dropping. VIA, which is in talks with the NZTA abou

Magazine05 Mar, 2026
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February ’26

The Motor Trade Association is lobbying for a maximum age of 10 years by 2030 for used cars coming into New Zealand to act as a safety proxy for entrants to the fleet. Find out why with Autofile. T

Magazine04 Feb, 2026
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January ’26

The government is being warned older cars will stay in the fleet for longer if ADAS mandates prevent safer models being imported, with industry associations also calling for realistic transition times

Magazine13 Jan, 2026
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December ’25

Regulators give their advice to loan providers in the automotive space as oversight of the non-banking sector is set to transfer from the Commerce Commission to the Financial Markets Authority. We

Magazine04 Dec, 2025
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November ’25

Autofile talks to experts about the downturn as dealer numbers drop, some sectors suffer more than others and the risk of liquidations is “fairly high”. It’s not all bad news, though

Magazine05 Nov, 2025
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October ’25

The number of registered traders has fallen to a 13-year low amid conditions many describe as among the toughest New Zealand’s vehicle market has experienced. We talk to three experts about what

Magazine05 Oct, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 9
September ’25

The industry has broadly welcomed a major revamp of the clean car standard. The government plans to scrap the weight-adjustment system for imported passenger and light commercial vehicles. It will als

Magazine07 Sep, 2025
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August ’25

Finance providers and car dealers are hoping “necessary” reforms of lending laws will bring a period of consolidation for the sector after numerous changes over the past decade. We look in

Magazine04 Aug, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 7
July ’25

Drive Electric says New Zealand risks missing out on a $100 billion-plus economic opportunity over the next five years unless the government changes its policies around EVs and accelerates plans to in

Magazine05 Jul, 2025
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June ’25

The government is being urged to overhaul the clean car standard because it’s preventing importers hitting goals set to reduce emissions, says the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VI

Magazine04 Jun, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 5
May ’25

The Motor Trade Association warns a one-size-fits-all approach to right-to-repair laws is unsuitable for the car industry and may mean some marques exit the market. It’s working with dealers and

Magazine05 May, 2025
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April ’25

The annual number of used imports from Japan has tumbled by more than 30,000 with the clean car standard being blamed as a key factor for the downturn. Autofile talks to industry experts about the mar

Magazine03 Apr, 2025