VIA publishes Annual Report
VIA, (the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association), has released their Annual Report in preparation for their upcoming annual general meetings (AGMs) on 29-30 May 2018.
Among the details — a clearer picture of the storm of challenges the Association has faced over the last year, from the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) crisis, resulting revisions to the Import Health Standard, difficulties over ensuring Electronic Stability Control (ESC) compliance and the approaching mandatory Takata airbag recall crisis.
"No-one in the industry could dispute that the first quarter of 2018 has proven to be one of the most difficult in the recent history of the Association, and the business of sourcing, importing and compliance of pre-owned motor vehicles," said Graeme Macdonald and Lloyd Wilson in the National Executive Chairmen’s Report.
"The mandate of the Association remains unchanged: to protect and advance the interests of the wider imported vehicle Industry in New Zealand," they added.
Overview of the Annual Report
Record number of vehicles
A record number of vehicles, both used and new, have been imported into the country over the past year. The first quarter of 2018 saw the imported vehicle sector face an unprecedented raft of challenges at all points in our supply chain. The stink bug biosecurity issue, which landed heavily in February, had a serious financial impact on shipping companies and caused widespread disruption in the supply of vehicles throughout the country.
Key issues
1. The stink bug challenge
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug biohazard issue dominated VIA's activities for the first quarter of 2018, where they convened and chaired a working group of all affected parties, collaborated with affected governmental groups and liaised with media.
2. Mandatory Takata airbag recall
On 3 April 2018, Minister of Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi announced a mandatory recall for at-risk (alpha type) Takata airbag inflators.
VIA moved quickly to engage with MBIE, NZTA, NZ Customs and the MIA, to develop processes and protocols for managing this recall. From 31 May 2018, no vehicle (including trade-ins) fitted with a Takata alpha-type airbag inflator may be sold in trade without having been reworked.
"Discussions are ongoing between VIA, representing NZ's used vehicle industry, and the MIA and NZ's new vehicle distributors, on how recalls of vehicles already in the fleet will be completed. Our shared objective is a smooth and efficient experience for all affected New Zealand consumers," added the report.
3. Fuel economy standards
Following the installation of the new Coalition government in late 2017, Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter quickly took the step of restarting discussions on improving fuel economy performance.
They are working on two proposals:
- A “feebate” scheme to be implemented at initial registration, designed to influence purchasers’ decisions, i.e. demand management
- A tradeable credits scheme, to be implemented at the time of import entry or compliance, designed to influence importers’ decisions i.e. supply management.
4. Electric vehicles
VIA are continuing to work with the Government on achieving strategic uptake targets for EVs in the New Zealand fleet. VIA’s chief executive, David Vinsen, is an appointee of the Government’s Electric Vehicle Leadership group.
5. Future
"In the words of one of our International Members: VIA’s job is to keep the door open for used imports into NZ," said the report.
"We still see the development and introduction of new technology as being the key issue that will face the used vehicle import industry over the medium term, and we have already identified areas that will require our active involvement and focus."
Click the links below to access the other documents involved in the upcoming AGMs.
Chief Executive's Annual Report 2018
National Executive Chairmen's Report 2018
Consolidated Annual Report (Financial) 2018 (includes Letter of Representation)
