THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

September issue out now

Industry associations and their members are on tenterhooks waiting for news on how vehicle exhaust emissions will be changing – but they may have to wait until after next month’s general election. The Ministry of Transport had to analyse 77 submissions on the draft plans and its advice to the minister was only sent late last month.

Drive Electric is urging the next government to retain the clean car discount and standard. The lobby group believes the two policies will continue to incentivise the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) over a short time horizon. Autofile talks to chairman Mark Gilbert about the road ahead.

Fees for regulatory services provided by Waka Kotahi have been given final government approval to change from October 1, with the charges for some services increasing and others being cut altogether

Greig Epps will be a “very good fit” as chief executive of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) says chairman Frank Willett. Epps is a familiar face in the car industry following his eight-year spell with the Motor Trade Association (MTA).

Members of the used-imports industry have gathered in Auckland to farewell David Vinsen, who has retired after 20 years as its chief executive. We have a report and photos from the night.

Larry Fallowfield has taken over from Tony Everett as sector manager – dealers at the MTA. While some traders’ sales have slowed, he’s hearing of “some great positives coming out of the tough times”.

• Representatives from the four main political parties shared their views on issues affecting the automotive industry during a special debate, with the fate of the clean car discount a major talking point.

• Lyn McMorran, of the Financial Services Federation, provides an update on changes to consumer credit laws and yet another government review.

• Liam Lawson makes his breakthrough into F1, while a number of other Kiwi drivers are also feeling on top of the world after success on the international stage.

• Lead-generating tools dealers are making available on their websites are giving buyers what they want, says AdTorque Edge’s Todd Fuller. 

• VIA’s Kit Wilkerson explains how and why the car industry can be part of the solution when reducing emissions from transport.

• Plus: new cars, disputes, in-depth statistics and much more.

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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
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