July issue out now

The Motor Industry Association is urging the government to slow plans to toughen exhaust emissions standards and not get ahead of Australia in setting new rules.

In a submission to the Ministry of Transport (MoT), it says new models and distributor viability may be at risk if New Zealand’s regulations for imports are stricter than those across the Tasman. 

The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) has voiced objections to the way the MoT has assigned standard equivalencies in consultation documents on shifting used and new light vehicles to Euro 5 and Euro 6 respectively. VIA describes the approach being proposed to align different regimes as “biased towards EU standards”.

Meanwhile, the Motor Trade Association (MTA) has raised further issues for the MoT to consider, such as the practical implications of emissions testing requirements and the cost of higher specification fuel for Euro 6d.

Frank Willett, managing director of Autohub NZ, says the range of vehicles being imported is at risk of narrowing following the July 1 changes to the clean car discount. His warning comes after a “mad rush” to register vehicles last month ahead of the feebate scheme’s settings being reset.

The MTA is campaigning for the Consumer Guarantees Act to be revamped, describing it as a “blunt instrument” when applied to car sales. It wants courts and tribunals to have discretion to allow for depreciation and use in some cases, and for the jurisdiction of the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal to be redefined. 

Mitsubishi Motors NZ is seeking Kiwis’ views on the marque’s eK X before deciding whether to bring the tiny electric car to these shores. The kei-class model was launched in Japan last year. Plus: Fieldays round-up.

• Todd Fuller, of AdTorque Edge, explains how dealers – by integrating existing technology platforms – can cut the wastage of existing sales opportunities and save dollars.

• Tony Everett, of the MTA, looks at the extra burdens imposed on the industry since the coronavirus pandemic.

• VIA’s Kit Wilkerson explains why New Zealand should set its own standards when it comes to vehicle exhaust emissions.

Plus: Brendon Hartley at Le Mans, awards for dealerships, industry movers, in-depth statistics and much more.

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