THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

August issue out now

Advice issued by the Climate Change Commission forecasts all new and used light imports will be zero-emitters by 2040. And it tips new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are tipped to reach price parity with fossil-fuelled cars within the next eight years. Plus: Industry reaction and what could be in New Zealand’s fourth emissions budget for 2036-40.

The clean car standard targets for the next five years have been changed based on advice from the Ministry of Transport, which warned the previous goals for imported light vehicles were unlikely to be achieved. 

A milestone survey shows the economic footprint of the historic and classic vehicle sector comes in at $16.5 billion. That’s the major finding research commissioned by the NZ Federation of Motoring Clubs, which will be used as a “gateway” to the sector’s future.

Demand for car finance is down by about one-quarter on last year. However, the sector is due a silver lining and “thankfully, there’s a small one on the horizon”, says Lyn McMorran, of the Financial Services Federation. Plus: Phase two of the government’s proposed reforms will make more substantial changes to legislation.

Dealers report a “grim” start to 2024 with lower-than-usual vehicle sales and a number of businesses closing, but they are optimistic it won’t take much for the market to improve.

• Geneva Finance plans to focus more on growing its core business after delisting from the NZX and moving to the Unlisted Securities Exchange. 

• Auto Trader, taken over last year by the Optimus Group, reveals how it is preparing to rebrand and launch a new-look platform.

• Provident Insurance has launched a new platform for its products after spending 18 months developing the digital system to enhance its offering and service delivery.

• James Hendry, of AdTorque Edge, explains why a key to capturing a higher portion of in-market buyers is delivering a modern and performance-driven website. And he’s got some tips on achieving that.

• The switch to BEVs “requires an innovative approach that directly empowers people in the energy transition”. Read what VIA’s Kit Wilkerson has to say on the subject.

• Australasia’s first zero-emissions hydrogen refuelling network has been launched in New Zealand. 

• Larry Fallowfield, of the Motor Trade Association, reflects on a whirlwind start to 2024’s second quarter as team members covered industry events.

• Christchurch-born Ryan Yardley has scored his first-ever Porsche Carrera Cup North America victory.

Plus: July’s industry statistics, Kiwis finish second and third in Formula E series, new cars, disputes, movers, VIA appoints new chairman and much more.

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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