THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

May issue out now

The relaunch of the clean car discount (CCD) has been criticised because of the short timeframe for industry to adjust before it kicks in on July 1. 

The new feebate scheme will mean lower rebates for hybrids and small cars, and bigger charges for light commercials. Autofile talks to the experts on the way forward. 

Plus: Waka Kotahi will be fixing an anomaly with the way plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are assessed for the clean-car policies. Currently, their CO2 values are 20g/km for new and 87g/km for used.

We have an exclusive interview with Tony Johnston, the new chief operating officer of Mitsubishi Motors NZ (MMNZ). He explains why it will still be some time before transport emissions tumble here. 

“There are four million cars on our roads and we’re selling 130,000 to 140,000 new vehicles a year,” says Johnston. “So, it’s going to take a significant time to decrease the age of the fleet and emissions by just selling EVs.” 

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) is backing an incentive scheme to encourage EV owners to buy smart chargers to help manage future demand for power as more low-emissions cars enter the fleet. Plus: What Drive Electric and the AA have to say on the issue.

It’s been a long, and sometimes painful, journey for Chelsea Herbert. In 2020, her racing career came to an abrupt halt after a major accident at Teretonga Park Raceway that left her with spinal injuries. She talks to Autofile about her comeback.

The Financial Services Federation has boosted its team to the equivalent of 4.6 full-time staff, with Katharine McGhie taking on the new role of business development manager.

The AA’s Terry Collins, as guest editor in this issue, tackles the conundrum facing energy transition in New Zealand. He says serious headwinds must be battled before we can switch to renewables.

• Buyers are driving the industry towards an omnichannel sales experience. But why should dealers be taking notice? Todd Fuller, of AdTorque Edge, has the answers.

• Tony Everett, of the MTA, says now’s a good time to scrutinise business overheads with economic conditions getting tougher.

• Autocheck, a digital vehicle information service, is looking to grow after acquiring Lemoncheck.

• VIA is seeking feedback from its members on the draft manifesto of its policies. 

Plus: Save a date for T-Tech 2023, industry movers, new vehicles, disputes and the best monthly car statistics in town.

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