December issue out now!

Politicians are being urged to act fast to promote the uptake of low-emissions vehicles. Industry organisations believe government departments, agencies and local bodies can boost the market by filling their fleets with greener models, which in turn would increase the supply of second-hand stock. 

VIA’s Kit Wilkerson takes a swipe at the “clean car emissions standard”. Penalties would be based on the difference between a vehicle’s emissions, and a target set by the government and modified by its weight. He opines: “Unfortunately, this standard is flawed by design.” Find out why. 

Dealers are experiencing delays in getting vehicles shipped to New Zealand as international supply chains face ongoing Covid-19 disruption. Container ships and roll-on, roll-off vessels are being affected by changed schedules and a surge in demand in the pandemic’s wake. And some ro-ros are being rerouted from Japan to service new-vehicle shipments out of China and South Korea.

Jim Gibbons, Colonial Motor Company’s chairman, explains why managing cash control and having a strong balance sheet are among the factors that helped it weather the Covid-19 storm. 

Turners hasn’t been resting on its laurels either. “As the saying goes, never waste a crisis,” is chairman Grant Baker’s mantra.

Todd Fuller, of AdTorque Edge, has some advice for car dealers about leads generated by platforms such as Facebook. “Crucial to effective digital lead management is a prompt response rate.”

The MTA’s Tony Everett warns traders they need to be mindful about how they and sales staff represent vehicle ages as we go into 2021 – ComCom issued guidance back in 2010 on this very matter.

Frank Willett, of Autohub NZ, pens this issue’s guest editorial. He ponders the year that was, from disruption in shipping to auction prices in Japan booming.

And Hayden Paddon talks about a “new era” in his sport after unveiling one of the world’s first electric rally cars.

AUTOFILE – THE BEST FOR CAR STATS

Autofile magazine publishes more car-industry statistics than anyone else.

Each month we have the top 35 used-imported car models and marques, and the top 45s for passenger-vehicle sales.

Then there are the top 20s for new and used commercials, Customs stats for used-imported cars, second-hand passenger-vehicles by region, and dealer stock stats for new and used cars. And the stats in magazine are always up to date – not two months old.

Autofile – the trusted voice of the automotive industry for more than 30 years.