VIA understands that many importers, new and used, are concerned about the Clean Car policies coming into effect shortly.
The industry body for the used import trade says these policies will, at least for the foreseeable future, lead to increased prices and decreased options for the New Zealand car buyer.
It is VIA’s view that this latest amendment to the policy for used imported vehicles recognises the reduced life span they will have on NZ roads and therefore a shorter period in which they will emit CO2.
Possibly more important to New Zealanders at this time is that this will help many to still be able to upgrade their vehicles at a reasonable cost the organisation says.
VIA says it also shares similar concerns with the MIA about the quality and age of many vehicles currently in the New Zealand fleet.
The organisation is calling on the government to act upon industry proposals to supplement the Clean Car Programme with a complementary scrappage scheme designed to remove unsafe and high-emitting vehicles.
It says removing vehicles from the fleet through a scrappage scheme will drive up demand for newer vehicles, the supply and demand for which will be influenced by the Clean Car Programme, resulting in greater improvement of the fleet.
As fleet statistics show (available from the Ministry of Transport’s website), the used import industry consistently, year after year, imports the cleanest and least emitting vehicles into New Zealand according to VIA.
The organisation says it looks forward to continuing to be part of the solution as the majority importer of light passenger vehicles into New Zealand at price points which buyers can afford.
