THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

February issue out now

The Motor Industry Association is calling for the government to rethink a vehicle exhaust emissions rule amendment that would introduce in-service conformity testing for light-vehicle imports from some jurisdictions, warning it risks creating an unnecessary regulatory burden. 

Meanwhile, the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association wants emissions standards from different countries to be treated as “alternative but equal” to avoid complexity for importers and officials. It’s lobbying for the “fair treatment” of Japanese standards.

The medium-sized SUV segment performed the best in New Zealand last year with a 23.5 per cent market share. It was followed by compact SUVs with 21.8 per cent while sales of pick-ups / chassis cab 4x4s rebounded to 17.4 per cent. Plus: Results from Japan and Australia.

Larry Fallowfield, of the Motor Trade Association, explains there are several reasons to be optimistic about the future of the industry. “It will be crucial for dealers to meet consumers’ demands and achieve sustainable growth.”

Vehicle pollution is falling. But it still has a social cost of more than $10 billion a year. A government report says emissions per kilometre driven will likely reduce over time, but other non-exhaust air pollution will go up. 

Autohub NZ has prepared a strategic roadmap for the next three years with diversification into other markets being a key focus. CEO Jim Shi talks to Autofile about why teamwork is so important for success.

The government wants to amend the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act to support the uptake of smart EV chargers to improve consumers’ ability to switch “fuelling up” times from network peaks.

• James Hendry, of AdTorque Edge NZ, explains why in-depth audits of marketing activity allows dealers to set themselves up for success. 

• Greig Epps, VIA’s chief executive, congratulates Brett Gliddon on becoming the NZTA’s CEO and urges the regulator to adopt a balanced approach.

• Invercargill’s Brendon Leitch has scored his first win of the new year at the Michelin 24 Hours of Dubai.

• The Chevrolet Corvette has arrived with its hybrid E-Ray, Stingray and high-performance Z06.

Plus: Ex-Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy is now chair of the Climate Change Commission.

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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
Autofile magazine 2025 / 5
May ’25

The Motor Trade Association warns a one-size-fits-all approach to right-to-repair laws is unsuitable for the car industry and may mean some marques exit the market. It’s working with dealers and

Magazine05 May, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 4
April ’25

The annual number of used imports from Japan has tumbled by more than 30,000 with the clean car standard being blamed as a key factor for the downturn. Autofile talks to industry experts about the mar

Magazine03 Apr, 2025