THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

April issue out now!

March 2020 will be remembered as the month New Zealand united in the face of the global coronavirus pandemic. In this issue of Autofile magazine, we report on the “fight to keep the doors open”. 

VIA’s David Vinsen explains what’s on the used-imports sector’s agenda – from logistics, storage and cash flow, to biosecurity, customs and tax. David Crawford, of the MIA, says the long-term future of the new-vehicle sector hinges on demand when we come out of the national lockdown. And the MTA’s Greig Epps tackles the vehicle-inspection sector and what “essential services” means.

Our in-depth industry statistics has everything you need to know about how different sectors performed last month. It includes interviews with some of the top players in the trade, as well as car dealers and how they have been coping.

Ports of Auckland is gearing up for a busy month with vessel arrivals and Biosecurity NZ inspectors dockside after being recalled from Japan, and we take a look at what’s happening with NZX-listed Colonial Motor Company and Turners.

Kit Wilkerson, of VIA, covers how history has shown that border closures can be effective in preventing pandemics from spreading, the MTA’s Tony Everett has top tips on how dealers can be productive during the lockdown and Mark Baker reports “rays of sunshine are visible” in Kiwi motorsport.

The April issue of Autofile, which is being distributed in digital form only with the government’s lockdown not allowing the magazine to be printed, has much more than just the Covid-19 crisis.

We profile Sean Stevens on his rise to the top to become CEO of VINZ, probe into what the new-look VIA will be doing and take a close look a vehicle dwell times at Ports of Auckland. 

Kiwi legend Gordon Legge, TV producer and director, and race and Targa competitor, talks about being appointed to the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance’s international advisory board, Flip The Fleet calls for action to boost the uptake of electric cars and Geneva gets cancelled but the motor show goes on – virtually.

Until the next issue of the magazine comes out, be sure to follow the news online, reported responsibly and reliably, with Autofile – the trusted voice of the motor-vehicle industry for more than 30 years. Darren Risby, editor.

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Autofile magazine 2026 / 4
April ’26

MITO bosses tell Autofile what its priorities and challenges are now the training organisation is under industry ownership, with getting more learners into automotive careers and keeping them up to da

Magazine06 Apr, 2026
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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
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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
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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
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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