MTA lobbies for industry exemption

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is advising car dealerships, sales of parts and service workshops have NOT been declared as emergency services by the Beehive.

As it stands at the end of business on March 23, they will have to close on March 25. That is when the government moves New Zealand to level four in response to Covid-19.

Greig Epps, advocacy and strategy manager, says the MTA is seeking clarification because it believes the automotive industry will be essential to many people during the coronavirus pandemic, so it wants to see an exemption issued.

He says: “We are trying to keep the conversation open with the government.” He notes legislation around what constitutes an essential service needs to be clarified.

Epps told Autofile Online: “I’m hopeful we may get an exemption because it is not just us asking for it or the automotive industry trying to get something for itself. Other parts of the economy are looking to us because we are pretty important.”

He adds some MTA members have contracts to service emergency vehicles that need fulfilling, while people working in healthcare will be unable to use public transport but need keep their private vehicles on the road. However, even workshops attached to service stations, which can remain open, may need to shut up shop.

“There are other sectors of the economy also talking to the government about exemptions because they feel they provide essential services, but they haven’t been given the opportunity to put their cases either.”

Epps, pictured, spoke to an official on the morning of March 23. He was hoping a further conversation could take place on March 24 and some clarity around the situation could be forthcoming by March 27.

“Just looking at the inspection system, for example, we need to maintain the safety of vehicles on our roads. Businesses are facing an uncertain time at the moment.”