THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

October issue out now

Discontent is growing among some dealers about the cost of car listings on Trade Me. The company says it offers businesses “great value for money”. Traders spoken to by Autofile don’t begrudge it lifting its prices, but are unhappy with the size of increases. Trade Me says it has invested heavily in new features over the past year and its pricing “fairly reflects the value of our packages”.

Autofile exclusive: We interview Greig Epps, new chief executive of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA), and he reveals his ambitions for the organisation and what he brings to the role.

We also have a chat with Mark Gilbert, who is retiring as chairman of Drive Electric after leading it for more than 11 years. He says: “I’d like to think I have added some value to the organisation and the e-mobility movement.”

David Sena has been given the green light by shareholders to complete the purchase of Eugene Williams’ stake in of 2 Cheap Cars. The $4.3 million agreement between the two co-founders was passed at the company’s annual meeting.

The future of road-user charges (RUC) is back on the agenda with the exemption for electric cars sent to end on March 31, 2024. Mark Stockdale, of the Motor Industry Association, looks into the issues this will throw up.

The Motor Trade Association’s mediation team is seeing more detailed complaints being lodged in regard to the Consumer Guarantees Act. Larry Fallowfield warns dealers to be aware of some people looking for ways to get out of what could now be unaffordable purchases or payment plans.

Kit Wilkerson, of VIA, says policy documents argue RUC should only be priced to recover the costs of maintaining roads and should be targeted proportional to the damage any given vehicle causes. However, a proposal for universal implementation next year “doesn’t seem to do this”, he opines.

Todd Fuller, of AdTorque Edge, advises dealers to cover off the basics when it comes to digital marketing, such as ensuring websites are up to date, running social-media campaigns and having live inventory advertising.

Plus: How New Zealand’s premier single-seater series is switching to carbon-neutral fuels, new cars, industry movers, disputes and in-depth statistics.

To view online click here.

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Autofile magazine 2026 / 9
September ’26

The used-imports sector is calling on the government to review penalties under the clean vehicle standard (CVS) and offer scrappage credits as part of its revamp. VIA says the standard’s setting

Magazine03 Sep, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 8
August ’26

Drive Electric warns New Zealand risks being left increasingly “isolated” from the global supply of EVs unless there are consistent policy signals and shared political commitment across el

Magazine04 Aug, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 7
July ’26

The MTA is calling on politicians to set up a training fund to support businesses taking on apprentices and a scrappage scheme to clean up the fleet. The items are included in its roadmap published ah

Magazine05 Jul, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 6
June ’26

Drive Electric says New Zealand’s switch to EVs needs cross-party support. Its State of the Nation 2026 report laments a setback for the transition after clean-car policies have been “virt

Magazine04 Jun, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 5
May ’26

VIA’s chief executive explains why used imports should be spared from the clean vehicle standard (CVS) and urges the coalition to focus on measures that encourage fleet renewal. Greig Epps&rsquo

Magazine04 May, 2026
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
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