THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

October issue out now

Autoterminal New Zealand Ltd (ATNZ) continues to trade and provide cars to dealers as liquidators pore over its books.

The south Auckland-based importer and wholesaler went into liquidation last month following a high court order for it to repay about $38.64m to IBC Japan Ltd.

As Autofile went to press on October 5, ATNZ’s liquidators had fielded interest from multiple parties with talks ongoing with a party over the sale. 

Uproar over proposed legislation for the government’s clean car policies has led the Motor Industry Association withdrawing its support for the clean car standard. And the start date for the clean car discount has been pushed back to April 1 with rebates for electric vehicles (EVs) continuing in the meantime. Plus: analysis on the way forward with the views of industry experts.

Vehicle inspectors are struggling to keep up with the backlog of work due to Covid-19 restrictions and staff shortages. The government’s decision to allow people to use WOFs and COFs that expired on or after July 21 until November 30 is adding to the problem. It’s affecting the compliance of used imports too.

Turners Automotive Group has won a high court battle against the former owners of Buy Right Cars after the relationship between the two parties collapsed following a takeover. Autofile gets behind the headlines to bring you the full story.

• Neeraj Lala, managing director of Toyota NZ, gives his views on the way forward for the car industry.

• VIA’s Kit Wilkerson explains why there is “absolute certainty” sticker prices will jump because of the clean car policies.

• State governments in Australia are introducing schemes to boost the uptake of EVs. What will their impact be on the New Zealand market?

• Tony Everett explains the importance of the MTA’s annual attitude survey of franchised dealers.

• Hayden Paddon on turning his focus to EV motorsport with his locally developed Hyundai Kona.

Plus: This issue of Autofile has gone up by four pages to 44 to provide you with in-depth, quality industry coverage. Check out our unrivalled statistics on the light fleet, new cars, movers, disputes and much more.

To view online, click here.

Showing 12 of 12
Show
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
Autofile magazine 2026 / 2
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
Autofile magazine 2026 / 1
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
Autofile magazine 2025 / 12
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
Autofile magazine 2025 / 11
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
Autofile magazine 2025 / 10
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
Autofile magazine 2025 / 8
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
Autofile magazine 2025 / 6
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
Autofile magazine 2025 / 4
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