September issue out now

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is spearheading the industry’s response to an overhaul of vocational training to ensure it speaks to government with a “unified voice”. Autofile examines what the changes involve and what they mean for businesses.

Greg Hedgepeth provides an expert view of this year’s market. Overall, there appears to be “some light at the end of the tunnel for 2024”, says the CEO of Turners Auto VIA’s new chairman.

2 Cheap Cars reports its first-quarter business performance has been “negatively affected by the prolonged economic downturn”, while Colonial’s after-tax trading profit of $17.88 million for 2023/24 falls by 41 per cent.

Specialist dealer Jesmond Micallef says demand for classic and vintage vehicles is at an all-time high, and the sector’s contribution to our economy is “way bigger” than the $16.5 billion identified in a nationwide survey. 

Dane Wells, of 4Guys Autobarn, talks about importing Americana, industry expert Mark Stockdale explains his love of rare cars, and the MTA’s Larry Fallowfield accesses five years of data to see what historic vehicles have crossed the border.

Sales of low and zero-emissions cars threaten to fall behind Climate Change Commission projections meaning the country risks missing targets in its second and third emissions budgets.

VIA calls for officials to consider allowing imports of left-hand-drive electric cars with modern safety features, and providing financial incentives and support for EV adoption and retrofitting.

Todd Fuller, of Only Cars, explains how the new listings platform for selling vehicles will be “partially owned and run by the industry”. The venture is being prepared for launch in New Zealand shortly. 

Levi Townley, aged 14, sees off the opposition in the Netherlands to become the first Kiwi to claim a world junior motocross title.

• Autocheck has teamed up with the MTA to make it easier for dealers to comply with rules for using the motor-vehicle register.

• Geneva Finance says government amendments to legislation will lead to more loan applications being approved.

• AJ Motors, Custom Fleet, the Giltrap Group, Inchcape and Sime Darby have signed up to Women in Automotive NZ’s accord.

• James Hendry, of AdTorque Edge NZ, says automation is the future of lead management and enhancing dealership processes will drive better performance.

• Kit Wilkerson explains a harm-based method for comparing emissions standards VIA has developed. It focuses on the actual harm these standards cap. 

• Franchise partners are being urged to take part in the MTA’s the dealer-distributor relationship index survey to help shape their futures.

• Why Lexus of Auckland City is moving into purpose-built premises. Plus: Toyota NZ’s after-tax profit for 2023/24 comes in at $88.1m, industry movers, disputes and in-depth statistics.

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