Toyota NZ slams CCD changes
The chief executive of Toyota NZ says the government’s changes to the clean car discount (CCD) have the potential to affect affordability of low-emissions vehicle technology for its customers.
Neeraj Lala says: “Many of our customers have placed orders in good faith for high and low-emissions vehicles with a clear idea of what the rebate or fee will be as part of their affordability decision.
“We hold the relationship with our customers at the heart of what we do, so I’m saddened many of them, who have waited extended periods for their vehicles due to us not being able to supply them fast enough, will now be penalised by the reduction of rebates or increase in fees with very little notice.
“Unfortunately, the CCD is a relationship between the New Zealand government and consumers, but ultimately this decision impacts their relationship with our brand.
“We remain concerned there are sectors, such as agriculture or construction, which are being penalised by a significant fee increase when there are no suitable low-emission options available yet.
“The fee increase on these models is significant and will affect the affordability of models these customers need for their livelihoods.”
Toyota NZ is disappointed that volume hybrid electric vehicles “have been removed from the rebate scheme given the high impact of decarbonisation and affordability they deliver to customers without range anxiety”.
Lala, pictured, adds: “I reiterate to those customers who believe, like we do, that hybrids are a good transitionary technology. We will continue to offer them alongside our next generation of battery electric vehicles [BEVs] over the next 18 months.
“The increase of hybrids and other electrified options in Toyota’s line-up has already reduced tailpipe emissions from our vehicles by 16 per cent over the past four years.
“We are focused on the impact of our line-up. This means we will continue to move all our models to low-emissions versions whether that be hybrid or battery-electric technology. It’s about what is appropriate for that vehicle and customer needs.
“Our focus is to support customers with affordable low-emissions technology when available across our entire line-up, which is why this decision is disappointing.”
Toyota NZ remains on track to achieve emissions standards introduced by the government by 2027, and achieve its own self-imposed target of a 46 per cent minimum reduction by 2030 as part of its efforts to keep global warming below 1.5⁰C.
“This ambition is achievable as we focus our efforts on securing as many of the 10 recently announced battery electric models in Japan,” says Lala. Toyota will introduce the first of its BEVs – the BZ4X – to New Zealand later this year.
