February issue out now

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) says incentives are likely to be needed if electric vehicle sales tumble now the clean car discount (CCD) has been scrapped. Autofile reveals the contents of a report prepared by officials for the government, which says EV and hybrid uptake rates are now “several years ahead of expectation”.

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) wants car-industry training overhauled so it keeps up with the likes of advances in EVs. Our in-depth report explains what the proposals are all about. They have been backed by eight groups including the new vehicle and used-imports sectors.

Andy Sinclair has shifted from being CEO of Hyundai NZ to holding the same job title for Winger Motors’ Auckland region – as first reported by Autofile Online. He started as national sales manager of the South Korean marque before taking on the top job in November 2021. Plus: the dealer group’s plans for the future.

January was the first month for the market after the CCD was canned. Here are last month’s year-on-year headline statistics for first-time registrations: New cars – down by 12.2 per cent, new commercials – up 41.6 per cent, used-imported cars –up by 25.2 per cent, used commercials – up 71.8 per cent. Find out more in our in-depth statistics section.

There are just a few weeks left before changes to how New Zealand funds the management of end-of-life tyres kick in. March 1 is when the first stage of regulations to reduce the harm they cause will take effect. We explain what it means for car importers and businesses.

The government has started to shift the fleet to road-user charges after confirming fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be brought into the scheme from April 1. Lee Marshall, CEO of the MTA, doubts adding extra costs will impede EV uptake.

Kit Wilkerson explains what VIA contends are flaws in vehicle-rating systems. He says they “lean heavily towards reducing risk for occupants, inadvertently promoting the proliferation of larger models”. Is the fleet suffering from “autobesity”?

• Imported plug-ins will need to account for 50 per cent of annual light-vehicle sales to hit government targets to cut pollution, according to Drive Electric. 

• The scope of a review into the CCCFA will be released “over the coming months”. The government says it will aim to ensure vulnerable customers are protected without preventing people getting loans they can afford. 

• The MoT is promising “extensive consultation” with the industry after ordering officials to conduct a review of the clean car standard. Simeon Brown explains the way forward.

• James Hendry, of AdTorque Edge NZ, explains what features are essential for dealership websites this year.

• Plus: Highlights of CES 2024 in Las Vegas, industry movers, disputes and motorsport. Autofile – in-depth, quality coverage of the car industry.

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