THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

November issue out now

Major gains have been made by the car industry with the outgoing government acting on its concerns about tougher exhaust emissions regulations.

The compliance of new light vehicles with the Euro 6d regime has been pushed back by more than two years. And for the used sector, offshore border-inspection processes will become the point of compliance with the rules instead of entry certification. This gives importers plenty of wiggle room with the likes of shipping delays.

Importers of passenger vehicles will be liable for lower charges under a product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres than those bringing in light commercials. The charge for cars and SUVs will be $33.25 per vehicle. For vans and utes, it will be $66.70.

The National Party’s pre-election pledges included scrapping the clean car discount and overhauling the clean car standard. We have industry reaction now the official result has been declared.

Nine dealers have been banned from the motor-vehicle traders’ register so far this year with a further 11 cases of non-compliance being pursued mainly for failures to comply with tribunal orders. Autofile investigates what these cases are.

Rianna O’Meara-Hunt is the first woman to win the GT4 America at Indianapolis and she did it in her rookie year. When she made her series debut in April, the Kiwi could hardly have dreamed she would wrap it with back-to-back wins at the famous Brickyard.

“With Japan stopping used exports to Russia, there will be a surplus of vehicles previously destined for the Russian market,” reports the MTA’s Larry Fallowfield. “This could potentially lead to an increase of stock for New Zealand.”

• The printed version of Autofile magazine will move to a paid subscription model from January’s issue to offset rising costs, particularly in the past 18 months.

• Women in Automotive has run a career development and networking event with more than 80 people attending.

• We bring you the highlights of the Japan Mobility Show from Tokyo after the event’s four-year hiatus.

• Toyota NZ says it will defend a class action that claims it has sold 35,000 diesel vehicles with faults since 2015.

• AdTorque Edge’s Todd Fuller explains why digital audio advertising is effective in reaching and converting customers.

• Kit Wilkerson, of VIA, argues the case for an “electricity dividend” to help minimise infrastructure risks as we adopt the most efficient means possible while the country electrifies.

• Plus: Hayden Paddon secures record victory, movers, disputes, in-depth statistics and much more.

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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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