THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

December issue out now

Dealers, lenders and insurance providers are waiting to find out if more tweaks will be made to laws around motor-vehicle finance and add-ons following a Commerce Commission review.

After a meeting with the regulator on November 23, the Financial Services Federation is confident most car dealers and F&I providers are doing the right thing.

Autofile also has tips on how businesses can comply with changes to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, which came in on December 1.

Emissions targets for the clean cars programme need to be “corrected” to avoid the new-car industry facing “crippling penalties”.

That’s the MIA’s warning to the select committee considering submissions on the Land Transport (Clean Vehicles) Amendment Bill. Plus: What the MTA and VIA are recommending to the government.

Meanwhile, VIA is calling for the emissions trading scheme to be overhauled with a universal carbon tax considered as a way to positively impact climate change. It adds: “Abundant, cheap, green electricity is the most important thing to motivate the electrification of every industry.” Plus: how the emissions reduction plan is likely to impact on the automotive sector.

• Nelson-based i4 checkpoint Ltd has been approved for entry certification on used-imported light vehicles.

• Jim Gibbons, at his last AGM as Colonial’s chairman, says vehicle supply to New Zealand is still a major issue in Covid-19’s ongoing wake.

• Dave Harris, who has stepped down as the MTA’s president, admits it’s beyond him how some businesses have survived challenges thrown at them. 

• David Crawford, of the MIA, says it’s time for the government to “start listening” and to “let us out – now”.

• Hunter McElrea has been confirmed for the Indy Lights series. He’s just one step from the main championship.

• Meet Robotaxi – set to hail in the new era of autonomous passenger services.

• And Emma Gilmour chats to Autofile about being the first female driver signed by McLaren Racing.

Plus: The best industry statistics around, market reports on Turners and Geneva Finance, new cars, disputes, industry movers and much more.

To view online, click here.

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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
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