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Huge hikes in fees aim to ‘cover costs C harges levied by the NZTA for warrant and certificate of fitness (WOF and COF) labels have been increased in the first overhaul of vehicle certification administration fees in more than a decade. The new certification payment for a WOF is $1.78, which is a 114 per cent increase from 83 cents, and the charge for a COF label has climbed by 205 per cent – from $2.45 to $7.48. Other changes have been made to the system for the entry and oversight of vehicle inspectors and their companies, and other certification services. Application fees for inspecting organisations, which ranged from $509.07 to $834.13, have been replaced with a higher one of $1,437.50 that includes one site assessment. The NZTA has also widened the scope of its new $184 hourly rate to include when certification services provided for organisations, vehicle inspectors or applicants don’t warrant charging the full application fee. The same rate is chargeable for non-routine reviews of inspecting organisations. The agency says the review has been “driven primarily” by changes to the WOF and COF systems as agreed by the government in January 2013 as part of the Vehicle Licensing Reform (VLR). They include an annual WOF inspection cycle for all light vehicles first registered on or after January 1, 2000, and allowing a greater and more convenient range of COF inspection options The trusted voice of the auto industry for more than 25 years Issue 20-2014 6 November 2014 In this issue p10 MTF views on judgement p12 Profile on VTNZ’s boss p17 Dealer goes under cover p18 Record set for safety test p20 Changes at top of Holden p22 Traders have to list faults Specialised training to increase your sales Electric vehicles ‘game changer’ www.autofile.co.nz M ighty River Power is planning to convert 70 per cent of its 100-strong fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. Chief executive officer Fraser Whineray describes the growing market for the two types of cars in New Zealand as a possible “game changer”. “The technology, performance and costs of plug-in vehicles are changing rapidly,” he told the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting. “EVs were odd and impractical propositions a few years ago, but there are now some excellent models on the market that suit our lifestyles. “They look and perform like ordinary cars and, in many instances, they are better. “They are quieter, better for the environment and run for about one-quarter the cost of fossil fuels, less than one-quarter for a plug-in hybrid, and – in the case of a pure EV – that would be about seven times better than petrol.” Whineray says for many would-be EV owners, the cost savings from fuel – about $2,500 per year – will more than offset the difference in upfront expenditure. GLOBAL VEHICLE LOGISTICS [continued on page 4] [continued on page 8] Find out more on page 9 p 19 VF range gets high-tech upgrade

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Autofile investigates the NZTA’s new charges for WOF and COF labels. They have jumped by 114 and 205 per cent in the first overhaul of certification fees in more than a decade. Changes have also been made to the entry and oversight of vehicle inspectors and organisations. Industry experts Stella Stocks, Mike Walsh and Gordon Shaw give their views in our November 7 issue.

Citation preview

Page 1: Autofile, Nov 7: out now

Huge hikes in fees aim to ‘cover costs’Charges levied by the

NZTA for warrant and certificate of fitness

(WOF and COF) labels have been increased in the first overhaul of vehicle certification administration fees in more than a decade.

The new certification payment for a WOF is $1.78, which is a 114 per cent increase from 83 cents, and the charge for a COF label has climbed by 205 per cent – from $2.45 to $7.48.

Other changes have been made to the system for the entry and

oversight of vehicle inspectors and their companies, and other certification services.

Application fees for inspecting organisations, which ranged from $509.07 to $834.13, have been replaced with a higher one of $1,437.50 that includes one site assessment.

The NZTA has also widened the scope of its new $184 hourly rate to include when certification services provided for organisations, vehicle inspectors or applicants don’t warrant charging the full application fee.

The same rate is chargeable for non-routine reviews of inspecting organisations.

The agency says the review has been “driven primarily” by changes to the WOF and COF systems as agreed by the government in January 2013 as part of the Vehicle Licensing Reform (VLR).

They include an annual WOF inspection cycle for all light vehicles first registered on or after January 1, 2000, and allowing a greater and more convenient range of COF inspection options

The trusted voice of the auto industry for more than 25 yearsIssue 20-2014

6 November 2014

In this issuep10 MTF views on judgement

p12 Profile on VTNZ’s boss

p17 Dealer goes under cover

p18 Record set for safety test

p20 Changes at top of Holden

p22 Traders have to list faults

Specialised training to increase your sales

Electric vehicles ‘game changer’

www.autofile.co.nz

Mighty River Power is planning to convert 70 per cent of its

100-strong fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids.

Chief executive officer Fraser Whineray describes the growing market for the two types of cars in New Zealand as a possible “game changer”.

“The technology, performance and costs of plug-in vehicles are

changing rapidly,” he told the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting.

“EVs were odd and impractical propositions a few years ago, but there are now some excellent models on the market that suit our lifestyles.

“They look and perform like ordinary cars and, in many instances, they are better.

“They are quieter, better for the environment and run for

about one-quarter the cost of fossil fuels, less than one-quarter for a plug-in hybrid, and – in the case of a pure EV – that would be about seven times better than petrol.”

Whineray says for many would-be EV owners, the cost savings from fuel – about $2,500 per year – will more than offset the difference in upfront expenditure.

GLOBAL VEHICLE LOGISTICS

[continued on page 4]

[continued on page 8]

Find out more on page 9

p19

VF range gets high-tech upgrade

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editor’s note

Fee review may put brakes on savingsThe inspection industry

has been engaged in the Vehicle Licensing Reform

(VLR) process through meetings, but it appears some concerns haven’t been fully addressed.

Now there are fears the NZTA’s vehicle certification fee review may score an own goal in that some compliance costs will increase, which is the opposite of one of the VLR’s main aims.

Some in the sector believe new costs – in particular with certificates of fitness (COFs) – mean changes, such as opening the market to more entrants, may not appeal to the wider industry that much.

On the other hand, the NZTA expects the volume of applications from prospective operators to be high.

The VLR process has basically been government-driven, so it remains to be seen how many new organisations will want to deliver services.

Some vehicle repairers with two lanes may get better returns on operating both for service and repairs instead of having one taken up by 90-minute COF inspections for heavy vehicles.

There then are costs of applications, training staff to NZTA standards, and the expenditure in getting premises and equipment approved.

Questions have also been raised about the new fee structure and whether this type of charging for legislated compliance services is normal when it appears other areas of government and crown entities may not charge providers and users to this extent.

Perhaps there needs to be greater transparency on actual costs, how they are managed and how technology can be used to make savings and ensure costs don’t increase further – or even drop.

In consultation documents, the NZTA says the recovery of costs from service users must be in the context of efforts to maintain and improve the efficiency of the agency’s processes, so what is there in the way of mechanisms to keep fees under control?

The VLR was supposed to bring in savings, but there now seems to be more costs in some areas, so there could be mileage in having an independent arbiter deciding what the correct fees to be set should be or if a price increase to approve a vehicle inspector is justified.

The bottom line is a lot of money has been spent on the VLR and its changes. The NZTA has to recover this and the revised fee structure is part of that.

But let’s end on a high note by looking back at the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association.

The gala dinner was a great success, so congratulations to the organisers although the free bar did leave a few people slightly worse for wear.

Autofile commemorated the occasion by publishing a lift-out in the October 21 issue of the magazine.

We also burned the midnight oil to cover the event in-depth online the day after the event with picture galleries, news and speeches, which many of you accessed after receiving our Insight email newsletter.

If you haven’t already, why not visit the subscribe section on www.autofile.co.nz to receive our email alerts and order your copy of the magazine.

You can read and download past issues, including that special lift-out, by going to the magazine section and there’s also a comprehensive 25th anniversary section on the home page.Darren Risby, editor

Copyright: Published twice monthly by 4Media, PO Box 6222, Dunedin 9059 All statements made, although based on information believed to be accurate and reliable, cannot be guaranteed, and no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Reproduction of autofile in whole or part, without written permission, whether by xerography or any other means, is strictly forbidden. All rights reserved.

Editor

darren risby [email protected] 021 137 5430

Journalist & onlinE producEr

cameron carpenter [email protected]

advErtising

Brian Mccutcheon [email protected] 021 455 775

dEsignEr

adrian payne [email protected]

Autofile is also available as an electronic copy via email. If you’d like to receive electronic copies please send an email with your name and organisation to: [email protected]. Back copies are also available on request.

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dealing with the NZTA. While some audit fees have gone down, some one-off fees have more than doubled.”

Walsh highlights other fees affected or introduced include applications for inspector certifications and new inspection sites, and costs involved in

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Concerns over fee structureto reduce downtime. “The fees include changes to reflect the new system and recover implementation costs,” says the NZTA in a discussion paper supplied to Autofile.

The agency adds the review, which was previously “postponed pending work on the VLR project”, will ensure the agency can continue providing certification services on a cost-effective and sustainable basis.

The charges are set out in the Land Transport (Certification and Other Fees) Regulations 1999, which haven’t been substantially reviewed since being introduced.

However, there are industry concerns that the new regime flies in the face of one the VLR’s main objectives – and that’s to cut compliance costs.

New Zealand’s major transport

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training inspectors to NZTA-specified standards.

“There are some benefits to the changes, but we haven’t

seen how the system will work and how fees will be audited,” he adds.

“Each inspection organisation will need to

make its own decisions on managing fee increases, but

I suspect many will eventually pass them onto consumers.”

Stella Stocks, the AA’s general manager of motoring services, notes there are ups and downs in fees, so for existing organisations they may level out.

“For the AA, it has always been a question of the NZTA passing costs onto us and these will inevitably be passed onto consumers,” she told Autofile.

“In that regard, this new fee

service delivery agents (TSDAs) – VTNZ, VINZ and the AA – have been involved in discussions with the NZTA over the changes.

Mike Walsh, chief executive of VTNZ, stresses it’s not just the fees for the WOF and COF labels that are increasing.

“Other charges have also gone up, such as inspection organisations having to pay for certain one-off services from the NZTA,” he says.

“There are some new costs and increases in existing charges. The agency has explained it’s necessary to pass on costs for administering the vehicle certification system and VLR.

“While one of the aims of the VLR was to reduce compliance costs for the motoring public, inspecting organisations now face increased costs when

Vehicle certification fees pay for NZTA activities associated with running

the system, including the national vehicle certification database and the agency’s contact centre.

The charges for labels also fund the performance monitoring and review of inspecting organisations and vehicle inspectors.

From November 1, the WOF fee went up from 83 cents to $1.78, while the COF’s increased from $2.45 to $7.48.

Entry certification has dropped from $2.55 to $1.55 for new vehicles and remains at $1.94 for used.

Fees that have decreased include heavy-vehicle specialist from $6.54 to $5.18, repair from $14.82 to $4.43 and low-volume vehicle from $39.61 to $15.93.

The charges for replacement labels, which ranged from $7.66 to $16.35, have been scrapped.

Performance review fees are

charged by the NZTA to ensure quality and consistency by inspecting organisations and inspectors through regular reviews.

Previously, audits paid for by inspecting organisations cost between $594.42 and $912.85 including GST depending on the type.

These organisations are no longer charged fees for routine audits, but the cost of performance review activities will be recovered from certification fees. Non-routine reviews will be charged at $184 per hour.

One-off application fees are paid by parties interested in becoming authorised inspecting organisations or vehicle inspectors.

The fees for organisations used to be $509.07 for WOF, $834.13 for COF, $523.89 for used entry and $527.98 for low-volume vehicles.

These have been replaced with a revised fee of $1,437.50, which includes one site assessment.

Guide to new charges

Business processThe NZTA says it’s aware of the

need to minimise the costs of activities it undertakes.

After containing them for 12 years, it says the new certification fees will result in increased

estimated revenue of six per cent above that generated under the regime in 2013/14.

The agency adds the remaining increases are due to ongoing and

time-bound costs associated with COF and WOF system

changes.

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AutoterminAl services in

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257 workshops< Full compliance >

< Repair certification >< Mechanical servicing >

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< Inspection services >< Full shipping services >

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structure is disappointing given one of the VLR’s objectives was to reduce costs.

“We are now seeing the NZTA starting to impose charges on things we haven’t seen before, which amounts to an increase in its fee regime.”

While some of the mainstream media has focused on WOF costs possibly blowing out for vehicle owners, Stocks stresses it’s not all centred on the warrant becoming more expensive, but more about repair costs.

“That’s all about educating motorists who rely on WOFs as safety checks. That’s fraught with dangers compared to having vehicles serviced and repaired at regular intervals.”

Gordon Shaw, chief executive officer of VINZ, can understand what the NZTA is trying to achieve through its vehicle certification administration fees review – and that’s passing on the costs of operations.

news

“Some of this is to do with the end user paying for services and sometimes the big challenge for VINZ is managing NZTA processes,” he says.

“The agency carries out consultation, reviews policies and makes changes with many being implemented by the TSDAs.

“As an agent for the NZTA and as an authority to do the work, we also spend a lot of time on administration and don’t charge for that.”

Shaw stresses the changes indicate costs associated with the VLR are being passed on, while some of the fees haven’t been looked at for some time.

“Whether end users will understand what the NZTA is trying to achieve is another matter,” he adds.

“At the moment, we are dealing with some exemption fees, such as those for immigrants’ cars and stripping vehicles.

“This $189 exemption fee, for [continued on page 6]

example, has been set by the NZTA. It’s a case of working with the industry and other people who connect with regulatory processes.

“We have to collect the fees on the agency’s behalf, and are now looking into how we can do that more effectively and efficiently.

“This may involve getting more into the online space in regards to filling in forms and pre-paying fees because if VINZ provides a service – and we and the NZTA don’t get paid – we don’t want to have to use a debt collector.”

Shaw describes the playing field and approach TSDAs have to take as “evolving”, with the NZTA needing to think about the way it involves everyone working in transport services on its behalf.

“With COF B for example, new organisations will be applying to become vehicle inspectors,” he says.

“In the past, the NZTA would have dealt with VINZ, VTNZ and

Vehicle inspector fees were $68.69 for WOF, COF and used entry, $318.93 for low-volume and heavy vehicles, and $592.89 for repair certifiers.

These have been replaced with one $494.50 fee, while the $68.69 fee for new entry has been revoked.

Other certification fees are now fixed and are based on an hourly rate of $184 and the average time taken to provide each service.

They used to be $51.12 for identifying an immigrant’s vehicle, and $153.33 for special interest vehicle and left-hand-drive permits.

The fee payable by the importer of a used vehicle has dropped from $20.45 to $6.33.

The NZTA has broadened the scope of when the new hourly rate of $184 is charged to cover other vehicle certification services “to more accurately reflect the agency’s average cost of providing them”.

It now charges an hourly rate when certification services provided to inspecting organisations, vehicle inspectors

or applicants don’t warrant charging the full application fee.

For example, it is charged when adding a new inspection site, relocating an existing one and adding a new certification type to an existing authorisation.

The $184 per hour fee is also payable for non-routine monitoring and reviewing of inspecting organisations, and applications for exemptions from vehicle-related compliance rules.

The NZTA says its indicative fees are based on hourly rates and expects them to be accurate for most service users, but factors will influence whether the final charge aligns with the indicative one.

These include related paperwork being correctly completed, the complexity of the inspecting organisation and application, and the site’s size, scale and number of inspection lanes.

Other factors include how prepared the organisation is for assessment, the site’s alignment with NZTA rules and if its enables the inspector to complete a robust inspection.

“This new fee structure is disappointing given one of the objectives of the VLR was to reduce costs.”

– Stella Stocks, AA

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meeting the full cost of providing services,” it says in a consultation document.

The old charges were “no longer well-aligned with applicable costs” and resulted in unfair contributions from those benefitting from services.

Application fees for inspecting organisation relocations and transfers of ownership needed reconsidering because contributing activities differed from those incurred by new ones.

The NZTA says the fixed fees for such applications now reflect processing costs.

Other changes include canning fixed fees for planned reviews of organisations and staff, and a levy on certification labels for routine monitoring.

The new $184 hourly rate aims to claw back costs associated with non-routine reviews of organisations and inspectors.

It also applies to extra regulatory services provided to

inspecting organisations, such as change of ownership and extra site approvals, and applications for exemptions from vehicle-related land transport rules.

The costs and fees associated with identifying vehicles as immigrants’ or special interest, category A left-hand-drive permits and vehicle importation have been adjusted – or included, in the case of exemptions – to reflect service provision.

The NZTA says the vehicle certification fee review has been guided by set principles.

All charges must have statutory mandates in relevant legislation or land transport rules, and set in accordance with Treasury and Audit Office guidelines.

The recovery of costs from service users must be in the context of efforts to maintain and improve the efficiency of the agency’s business processes.

It says those who generate or

the AA as its TSDAs by having discussions about changes.

“The question is what does the future look like? Right now, we don’t have any answers except it is changing while engagement with the industry may be product or agent specific.

“VINZ is keen to maintain direct access with the regulator. We would be worried if there’s no partnership or direct access if this relationship becomes diluted.”

BASIS FOR FEE RISESThe NZTA’s revised vehicle certification charges came into effect on November 1 with consultation being carried out in late 2013 and early 2014.

The agency says the new structure aims to meet the cost of COF and WOF changes, as well as other certification services.

“Revenue collected through fees associated with the entry and oversight of vehicle inspectors and organisations falls short of

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a fresh approach to dealer finance

[continued from page 5]

Charges have ‘statutory mandate’benefit from regulatory activities should make fair and reasonable contributions, while the targeting of fees at users’ needs must be balanced with a simple structure.

Fee-setting also needs to take into account actual and possible impacts on user behaviour, including undue barriers to entry.

OPENING UP THE MARKETNovember 1 was the date for new COF providers to apply for approval under the VLR changes.

“We will endeavour to provide feedback to applicants within 20 working days of receiving an application,” a spokesman for the NZTA told Autofile.

“Factors that will influence this include how complete the application is when we receive it and its complexity.

“The volume of applications received, which is expected to be high following November 1, will also affect how quickly applications are processed.”

Gordon Shaw, of VINZ, inset, says

new organisations will apply to be inspectors

under the certificate of fitness regime – and asks what the

future will look like for transport service delivery agents

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Japan’s car of the year - the Mazda2

Ten vehicles have been unveiled as this year’s New Zealand Car of the

Year finalists with SUVs making up most of nominations.

They are the Mazda3, Honda Jazz, Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Toyota Highlander, BMW M3/4, Jeep Cherokee and Range Rover Sport.

The AA says this year’s top 10 reflects continuing growth in the SUV segment and an intensive year of new model launches.

The winner will be announced in Auckland on December 4. Last year’s title went to the Volkswagen Golf.

Autofile Online has more on this story, along with the Mazda2 being voted Japan’s car of the year. It scored highly for its design and powertrain technologies.

Mercedes-Benz won the imported car title for its C-Class and the innovation award went to BMW’s i3.

Car of year finalists

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Dorchester Pacific is just weeks away from owning 100 per cent of shares in

the Turners Group.The company has issued a

compulsory acquisition notice to Turners’ outstanding security holders after exceeding 90 per cent of voting rights.

It will pay the same for these shares as set out in its original offer with instruments of transfer to be received by November 24.

Dorchester issued 121,769,205 ordinary shares and about 22.6 million $1 bonds for its capital raising and as consideration for acceptances.

Of those received by noon on October 30, half were for cash, 27 per cent were for Dorchester bonds and 23 per cent were for shares in the company.

“With the higher take-up in shares and bonds, a lower level of bank funding has been required to settle to date,” says Paul Byrnes, chief executive officer.

“Assuming the remaining 10 per cent is acquired for cash, the takeover will be funded by $13m of bank debt compared to an earlier estimate of $18m.”

He adds the acceptances and capital raised indicate “positive support for the offer and business strategy”.

Turners’ shareholders were offered $3 a share in cash, two-year notes with nine per cent interest that convert to Dorchester shares, ordinary shares in the company or a combination.

“Seventy per cent of our finance lending is for vehicles and our insurance business has a focus on related products,” says Byrnes.

“We can add significant horse power to grow the business in a shorter time.

“The takeover will be positive for existing customers and staff because it will create new opportunities.”

Visit www.autofile.co.nz for more on this story.

Takeover crosses the finishing line

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[continued from page 1]

Sustainable energy way to go

and prices, and the country will not be at the mercy of foreign exchange rates so much.

“If you had a national fleet of 2.8 million vehicles and they were all electric, the country would save about three billion litres of fuel a year.

“I also think the government has made an astute move by placing the energy and transport portfolios with the same minister because it provides a great opportunity for our country’s position to be realigned.

“Going electric will also help New Zealand’s reputation globally and how we look at ourselves.”

Whineray says the government and public services could take the lead, with the likes of district health boards making the switch, while there is also the issue of what the next ministerial limousines will be.

James Munro, Mighty River Power’s general manager – customer, told Autofile that the conversion of part of the company’s fleet to EVs and plug-ins will depend on what sort of powertrain was fit for what purpose.

“With so much renewable energy in New Zealand, EVs move us more towards independence,” he says.

“We have already got five of these vehicles, while the automotive industry is starting to bring the likes of second-hand Nissan Leafs into New Zealand from Japan.

“EVs and plug-ins are becoming more normal. They are no longer just hobbyist. There are many more of them out there on Kiwi roads than there used to be and the market for them is growing fast.”

Munro says they are easy to charge at home because many people in this country have plenty

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“Mighty River Power is pushing on a range of fronts to build awareness of the opportunity for New Zealand around electrification of transport and this country’s homegrown energy advantage,” adds Whineray.

The company is planning to convert about 70 per cent of its fleet to EVs or plug-in hybrids over the next four years as current leases expire.

It wants every car to be electric wherever that’s practically possible because of the economic and environmental benefits.

Mighty River Power is also partnering with other agencies around charging infrastructure, energy plans for customers, drive programmes, and other avenues to promote EVs through manufacturers, the second-hand car market and directly with buyers.

Whineray says a move towards electricity to fuel cars will make New Zealand more independent when it comes to transport.

He believes there will be less risk from volatile fuel supplies

“Going electric will help New Zealand’s reputation globally and how we look at ourselves.” – Fraser Whineray, Mighty River Power

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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of space to park, while more public charging sites will be promoted, which involves working with other organisations to install them.

He believes that the range EV batteries now have are good, and sees future demand being split between plug-ins and pure EVs.

“We have a selection of models available in New Zealand and

t Mighty River Power is working with five manufacturers to bring more into the country,” says Munro.

“There are plenty of options available. For example, if you bought a second-hand Nissan Leaf for about $20,000 you would then save around $3,000 a year in petrol, so it pays for itself after seven years or so.

“As well as talking to the five car manufacturers we’ve teamed up with, we would like to talk to anyone interested in bringing EVs into the country.

“We would like to get more of a coalition going so we can reach a critical mass.”

David Vinsen, chief executive of the Imported Motor Vehicle

Association, attended the meeting at Ellerslie Racecourse on November 6.

“The association is very pleased to be working with Mighty River Power as it starts its push for more EVs, both new and imported used,” he says.

“With New Zealand having 80 per cent renewable energy, it does make good sense.”

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People at Mighty River Power’s annual shareholders’ meeting had a surprise at the end of official business.

The company arranged to have a Nissan Leaf, Audi e-tron, BMW i3, Tesla Model S and a Mitsubishi

Outlander PHEV put on display with a specially made film providing a stunning backdrop.

The feature attracted plenty of interest with shareholders taking home brochures after trying out the cars for size.

Left to right, Audi’s e-tron in front of Mighty River Power’s backdrop, people enjoying looking around the EVs and BMW’s i3. Photos: Darren Risby

Putting on a show

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of Business, Innovation and Employment.”

The quantification judgement was released on October 20. It relates to fees charged in 39 loan contracts Sportzone originated between May 2005 and July 2008.

In the liability judgement, the court upheld allegations some fees were unreasonable – with appeals to be heard from November 19-20 – but rejected others of inadequate disclosure and breaching the Fair Trading Act.

More than half of the quantification judgement deals with recovering costs in percentage terms. It has been ruled some of MTF’s cost items fail to meet the close relevance test.

LOAN ESTABLISHMENT CHARGESThe CCCFA permits the recovery through establishment fees of “reasonable costs in connection with the application, processing and considering [it], documenting the contract and advancing the credit”.

MTF allocated 10 per cent of salaries and performance pay of its finance cost centre towards fees to set up loans, which was approved.

The company wanted to recover 50 per cent of the cost of finance premises, but later agreed with the commission’s 10 per cent.

MTF claimed a 100 per cent allocation in 2007 for premium waiver insurance. The judge dismissed this because he said there was no justification for allowing

this to be added to contracts of customers who didn’t take it up.

It was ruled 10 per cent of banking fees and five to 10 per cent of communication charges could be recovered.

MTF’s treasury department was solely focused on establishing funding to make loans. Both parties agreed on 10 per cent for its banking, but other treasury cost claims were rejected.

“It is appropriate to make a distinction between MTF’s cost of funds and operating costs,” the judge said. “Sourcing funds is a company overhead.

“It was envisaged in the Consumer Credit Law Review that costs directly associated with the acquisition or use of finance – including servicing a lender’s borrowed funds – would be recovered through the interest rate.”

Half of MTF’s salaries for credit department staff could be allocated to establishment fees, but not the 80 per cent in 2006 and 70 per cent in 2007 and 2008 claimed.

The company has a department for marketing, IT and financial systems, and its dealer and public website.

It wanted to allocate 90 per cent of wages and training for this, travel at 40 per cent and communication at 50 per cent.

The judge, in allowing only 10 per cent, said: “The evidence suggests this cost centre has a strong marketing bias with a focus on developing infrastructure rather than costs closely relevant to transactions.”

The MTF argued training, travel and communications costs for product development were primarily associated with a new online loan-origination system.

But the judge ruled these costs appeared to be related to general lending rather than actual transactions.

MTF argued its IT infrastructure was a key point of difference for quick turnarounds on applications.

In supporting its allocation of

Motor Trade Finances (MTF) says it’s unable to quantify any

ultimate liability in relation to loans originated by its shareholders.

The company’s view follows the high court releasing a quantification judgement, which the Commerce Commission says clarifies rules lenders must comply with when charging fees.

It comes in proceedings taken against Sportzone Motorcycles, which is in liquidation, and MTF.

The commission has alleged both levied unreasonable establishment, account maintenance and arrears charges in breach of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA).

MTF says the judgement is the court’s application of the close relevance test introduced in a previous liability judgement and is

intended to provide guidance on what can reasonably be recovered through credit or default fees – rather than interest rates.

“This judgement doesn’t precisely quantify amounts by which the fees have been deemed to be unreasonable,” says the company. “This would require further calculations by the commission and MTF.

“MTF remains disappointed with the liability judgement when some fees were considered unreasonable. The court’s narrow basis for that doesn’t recognise normal commercial practice.”

The company believes the approach taken to determine if a fee is unreasonable is important for the consumer lending industry.

“It may remain significant in the responsible lending code being developed by the Ministry

Stephen Higgs, chairman of MTF

Judgement ‘disappoints’ finance firm

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50 per cent of wages in 2006, and 55 per cent in 2007 and 2008, MTF criticised the commission’s position as “inaccurate and lacking any basis for challenging MTF’s assertion IT staff were involved in loan establishment”.

The judge, however, accepted the commission’s stance as consistent with close relevance.

The commission accepted other communications costs – such as printing, stationery, paper and postage – were recoverable in principle.

It was ruled indirect computer costs could include depreciation, while the MTF’s claim for 65 per cent of security and storage was permitted.

However, securitisation and bank costs were ruled as linked with doing business.

The commission submitted the cost of capital wasn’t a genuine accounting cost in the CCCFA, but a notional return.

“It’s difficult to see how

any allowance could be made for an accounting item that isn’t an actual cost incurred in establishing any loan and not connected,” the judge said.

ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE FEESSome findings on MTF’s costs allocated to maintain accounts were similar to those for establishment fees.

One significant matter was the company’s bad debt expense centre covering borrowers’ defaulting on loans and MTF being unable to recover any part of such lending.

It averaged out these costs and recouped them via arrears fees even if consumers soon remedied defaults.

news

The judge said this meant losses MTF estimated it would incur because of a small group of borrowers who defaulted were recouped by charging fees to a wider pool of borrowers temporarily in default.

To justify its arrears fees, MTF allocated 100 per cent of these bad debt costs in 2006 and 2007.

But the commission argued they weren’t

“incurred by the creditor” as

stated in the CCCFA, while equally allocating them across

all contracts wasn’t a

“reasonable estimate of loss”.

The judge accepted this, but said recovering bad

debts through arrears fees could be viewed more fundamentally.

“The person who pays the fee

should be the one who caused the loss. Bad debts are a cost of being in the business. [They] should be recovered through the interest rate.”

From 2006-08, MTF also charged establishment fees of $190 for each contract, but the commission argued that on the close relevance test they wouldn’t have exceeded $23.60, $38 and $36 in each year.

The commission disallowed but then accepted bank costs on account fees, while 70 per cent of software maintenance was allowed but MTF’s treasury costs were ruled out.

In regards to customer service and dealer support, both parties agreed 12 per cent for 2006 and 2007, and 10 per cent for 2008, while 30 per cent of Motochek costs were reasonable.

The judge disallowed recovering securitisation, bank and capital costs for maintenance fees, and both parties agreed on five per cent recovery for arrears fees.

t

As a vehicle importer you know time is money, so we’ve made it a lot easier to get a Statement of Compliance for any imported light vehicle that was manufactured for the European market and first registered in either Japan or UK.

Because of our association with DEKRA SE, one of the world’s leading experts in vehicle testing, inspection and certification, your Statement of Compliance requests can be processed over-night to speed up the process and make sure you receive a response within just three working days.

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More with Autofile Online

The Commerce Commission has abandoned a cross-appeal against part

of a judgement in 2013 that rejected claims MTF and Sportzone breached the

Fair Trading Act.This was in relation to fees

charged on 39 credit contracts. Visit www.autofile.co.nz for

more on this story.

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industry profile

Award with feel-good factor

says VTNZ’s award shows that through clear leadership and communication employees stay motivated and engaged.

“The review of vehicle testing and licensing has stimulated innovation in the business,” he adds. “Increased commitment to its people speaks volumes about how the company has turned a challenge into an opportunity.”

Walsh puts the key to success down to communication and being honest with employees.

“We regularly talk about how the business is going and changes we need to make.

“For example, adapting to the Vehicle Licensing Reform [VLR] will bring change, including making some difficult staffing decisions.

“But we will talk to affected people in an open and honest way because we can’t continue to do same old things in the new VLR environment.”

FIRST ANNIVERSARY ARRIVESNovember 1 marked one year since Stuttgart-based DEKRA bought 60 per cent of VTNZ.

The past 12 months have been about integrating into a global business, which has

For the past eight years, Mike Walsh has set many goals and has scored

a winner with VTNZ being recognised as best company in New Zealand to work for.

The vehicle inspection business went one better than 2013 by taking out the top gong at the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Awards at last month’s black-tie ceremony in Auckland.

“It’s tremendous for the company to receive this recognition,” he says. “When I became chief executive about 10 years ago, my aim was for VTNZ to be the best place to work.

“It has taken a while, but this award doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road because the process is ongoing.

“You cannot be a great company without great people. You cannot expect employees to provide excellent service if they don’t feel good about who they work for and what they do.”

VTNZ’s recipe for success is about creating an environment where employees feel valued, and are provided with challenges and opportunities to better themselves while having some fun.

The award has taken plenty of hard graft by Walsh, his managers and team, but having people happy in their jobs brings a high level of

customer service, which in turn creates competitive advantages.

“We are consistent in our approach to leadership, have two-way communication and ensure our managers play their parts,” explains Walsh.

“Completing an annual engagement survey is important in establishing what we can do better. This needs to be a done on a team basis whereby we all work on things and set about doing them.”

Creating a good workplace

also requires some culture change and that can take time.

“At the start, we had to challenge our people with what we wanted to do,” he told Autofile.

“It was a case of ‘if you agree and follow us that’s great, but if it doesn’t energise you perhaps it’s time to go’. Leading an organisation means you need to have a hard nose about what you’re trying to achieve.”

Leighton Abbot, of IBM Smarter Workforce for New Zealand,

Behind the wheelMike Walsh confesses he’s a “closet

petrolhead”. He has has raced

in the Targa Rally, although he

admits his ambitions are probably

out of whack with his skills.“I drove a supercharged

Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG with

a 5.5-litre V8 engine in Targa

events over the past three years.

Unfortunately, I missed out this year,

but hope to enter again in 2015.”

His first car was a 1961 white

and lime green Volkswagen

Beetle and he currently drives a

silver grey Toyota Prado VX – “a

functional family wagon”.He adds: “My current dream car

is Mercedes’ new AMG GT, which

isn’t available here yet. That said,

this changes every few months

with Porsches, Aston Martins and

Ferraris coming to mind.”One of Walsh’s motorsport

highlights was hurtling around

Germany’s Nurburgring in a

Porsche Carrera S as a passenger

with a former F3000 driver – then

having a go himself.“I wasn’t expecting that to

happen and didn’t time myself,

but there were plenty of other cars

there and no one got past me.”

Mike Walsh’s Targa Rally car – a CLK AMG with a 5.5-litre V8

Mike Walsh, chief executive of VTNZ, getting his hands dirty

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www.autofile.co.nz | 13

industry profile

involved background, information technology, reporting and human resources work.

“I’ve been surprised by the level of engagement DEKRA has had with us. It’s focused and listens, and out of that comes collaborative results.”

Walsh is a member of its executive committee and has a seat at the leadership table as one of the top 20 managers worldwide.

The company operates in 55 countries and has 32,000 employees, so being in the senior management team gives VTNZ a voice, and his role involves overseas travel and working with DEKRA’s headquarters in Germany.

“VTNZ can leverage from the experience of the world’s leading automotive testing companies. It has world-class technology and products. We’re keen to roll out some here, which is an exciting prospect.

“As part of our last engagement survey, we asked staff what they thought about DEKRA owning 60 per cent of VTNZ, and more than 85 per cent thought it was good and could help us become a better company.”

Senior members of DEKRA have also come here to attend VTNZ-hosted leadership forums.

They have included Clemens Klinke, head of the automotive division. He’s responsible for about two-thirds of global revenues and spent several days meeting Kiwi staff.

“Our people in Germany understand the importance of our work and talk about DEKRA as a family. That philosophy fits comfortably with VTNZ.”

Walsh has made some inroads learning German for his trips to DEKRA’s head office.

“I hope to start picking up lessons again with the Goethe Institute and I’m making an effort

to learn the culture. They do enjoy a beer or two.”

DEKRA’s senior staff conduct business in English when English speakers are around.

“I’ll sometimes surprise them with the German I come out with, but most of the time it’s basic conversational stuff.”

He jokes: “If I were to speak German at meetings, there would

be potential for it to be confusing for everyone. That might not be such a good idea when it comes to vehicle safety.”

PUSHING AHEAD WITH PROJECTSIt has been a busy year for VTNZ. It has upgraded its Rotorua facility by installing a new lane for certificate of fitness inspections because it’s a very important part of its network.

“We’ve also upgraded our testing station in Greymouth and have made it earthquake-proof,” enthuses Walsh.

“Despite the VLR, it’s also a key

site and we had to make it safe for employees and customers. We also needed to make our retail experience consistent with other sites.”

VTNZ is also in the process of relocating its technical training centre in Auckland.

“Our focus in coming years will be engaging with customers differently. We will be doing more than vehicle inspections bearing in mind changes coming into effect in April with the Health and Safety Act.

t

“There will be more focus on companies’ obligations under the act. It’s basically about VTNZ becoming more of a safety partner than a vehicle certification company.”

GOING BACK IN TIMEAfter leaving university, Walsh landed a job with ExxonMobil and stayed there for 19 years.

“I was running the retail fuels businesses in New Zealand. I also worked in different divisions, such as chemicals and industrial lubricants, and went to Australia and the US on short assignments.

“The company provided me

with opportunities and I later moved into leadership roles, which helped me to become a better manager and broaden my skills.

“After achieving everything I wanted to do with ExxonMobil, I decided to do something different and take on new challenges, so I did some consultancy work in Korea for Hyundai Oil Bank in its downstream fuels business.

“It was when I was back in New Zealand that I was approached about my current job.

“It was a great opportunity to add value to VTNZ at a time of change. It has been a journey I’ve enjoyed and it’s far from over.”

“You can’t be a great company without great people.”

– Mike Walsh

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Mercedes-Benz’s AMG GT is Mike Walsh’s dream car – for now

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14 | www.autofile.co.nz

Sedan’s evolution steps upHonda says its new Civic

has more features and style that make it better

value for money.The model line-up has a seven-

inch touchscreen display audio with compact disc, Bluetooth music and hands-free telephone.

The audio display also features the three-angle reverse camera with parking aid as fitted across Honda’s Accord NT range, while the LN’s system includes navigation.

The marque’s new one-touch indicator technology, which comes as standard, flashes to make three signals when lightly touched and is helpful while making a single lane

change or roundabout exit.This complements the

rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and daytime running lights as standard across the range, plus the push-button start and proximity key on the Civic S.

The new model takes advantage of easy-to-use ISOFIX child-seat technology by adding two attachment sets in the rear.

The LN takes comfort one step further with an eight-way powered driver’s seat and electric folding mirrors with integrated LED indicator lights.

Chrome and black accents have been added inside and

out, there’s a new honeycomb chrome grille, revised front bumper with a chrome garnish and chrome handles.

There are 10-spoke polished metal and black alloys with 16-inch wheels for the S, which are 17-inch on the LN.

The inside of the Civic has a satin black and chrome-plated

finish with the LN having black accents, while the S Sport and LN Sport add dynamic front, rear, side and wing spoilers.

The new Civic is priced the same as the previous model. The S – with a 1.8-litre engine and automatic transmission – costs from $33,900 plus on-road costs, while two-litre automatic LN starts at $39,900.

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The final exterior of Detroit Electric’s pure-electric two-seater sports car has

been revealed.The limited-edition SP:01 will be

the world’s fastest production electric sports car when it goes on sale.

Revealed as a prototype at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, its design has been updated to improve aerodynamic performance.

Its most striking element is the fastback configuration, which replaces the prototype’s flying buttresses on either side of the rear window.

The exterior design has been optimised using computational fluid dynamics analysis to enhance airflow and reduce turbulence.

A large sculptural rear wing and under-body diffuser aim to minimise lift and improve downforce at higher speeds.

Aesthetic and functional changes include the front air intake and bonnet’s outlet ducts being

reshaped to optimise airflow to the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

The battery packs have a protective composite casing integral to the vehicle’s structure.

This improves the SP:01’s torsional rigidity and provides a barrier to protect the batteries from punctures in the event of accidents.

The changes aim to ensure it delivers on its promise to set new standards for performance and handling in electric vehicles.

The high-power electric motor means the car has a top speed of 249kph and a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds.

Fastest electric carHonda’s new Civic S Sport

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news

Importer looks across the TasmanGulliver New Zealand

is aiming to use its operations in this country

as a springboard into Australia if restrictions there are lifted so higher volumes of used vehicles can be imported.

The company opened its first branch in Newmarket, Auckland, on November 1 with a party for about 50 invited guests.

Ho Choi, corporate officer, told Autofile at the event that its other

overseas strategies have involved buying stock in the US and Thailand before on-selling it in the local market.

“But our New Zealand business is different because we will directly export our stock from Japan.”

He says this country was selected to launch a new business model because the used imports sector is well-integrated, while the company may expand across the Tasman when conditions are right.

“There have been about 25 years or more in importing used cars from Japan and economic growth will be stable here.

“We could have done this New Zealand business five or 10 years ago, but we had to concentrate on our model.

“The industry is suitable with so many people liking many Japanese cars and our business here is the same as other companies.

“We’re not intending to get hold

of market share. We want to be the player that can deliver a good image for Japanese imports to customers so that market grows.”

Yu Nagai, sales and marketing manager, adds Gulliver NZ aims to sell 50 vehicles in its first month, while negotiations have been taking place with finance, warranty and compliance providers.

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VTNZ took out top honours at the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Awards, but

it wasn’t the only business in the automotive sector to walk away with a gong.

Auckland’s Giltrap Audi won the best small-medium workplace where general manager Gary Periam encourages staff to do business face to face.

He says the approach reduces stress and helps to protect the company’s family culture.

“If I want to talk to somebody, I will ring them because I have a strong thing on verbal dialogue,” he says. “There’s no use having burnt-out people in our organisation because they are infectious to others.”

Wairarapa’s Eastwood Motor Group was named as the best small workplace.

“All our guys appreciate our livelihoods depend on making this thing work and looking after our customers,” says dealer principal Mike Eastwood. “Every staff

member has pride in what they do.”He adds the company has

many young staff with families, so an emphasis has been placed on ensuring their home time isn’t overrun by work.

Hyundai NZ, Trade Me and AA Insurance were recognised for being finalists for the past five years, while VTNZ also won best enterprise workplace.

The Kenexa survey, run every year by IBM, asks employees to anonymously rate how satisfied they are with their workplace.

Participants graded their workplaces and employers across 12 key categories including leadership, culture, recognition and engagement.

It’s the largest study of workplaces in New Zealand and collects the views of 32,000 members of staff.

Forty-two companies reached finalist status across five employee size categories.

The awards were presented at black-tie ceremony at Auckland’s Langham Hotel on October 23.

Industry awards success

Guests at the opening of Gulliver NZ in Newmarket and, right, a view from outside

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news

Dealership goes under cover“With dealerships in other

centres including Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, this provides an Auckland base for other growth opportunities.”

Anthony Kearns, general manager of Auckland City Toyota, adds: “With this expansion, we will continue to be the destination for Toyota customers in and around the eastern suburbs.”

The expanded site will be operational from mid-December.

EXTRA BRANCHES COMINGOne of the country’s fastest-growing dealerships – 2 Cheap Cars – is set for further expansion with four new branches opening in three months.

The winner in the Deloitte’s Fast 50 business awards has been operating for three years.

The company recently opened up a new branch in Botany Road,

Manukau with a Penrose site following this month.

Leases are now being finalised for locations in Lower Hutt and Dunedin to be up and running before Christmas.

General manager Garry Moore says the expansion will see 2 Cheap Cars’ sales increase from about 500 to 800 units per month.

“We’ve been able to expand quickly because we have a business model that’s customer focused,” he says.

“We are a high-volume and small-margin business, so we are competitive when it comes to price. This only works if you can underpin it with quality products and service.”

By the end of the year, 2 Cheap Cars will have nine branches. The company’s philosophy is to price cars at levels below what it would cost for buyers to import them.

A used car dealership has relocated with its previous site being snapped up by

developers for an apartment building.Cooper Cars has shifted from its

yard in Grey Lynn, Auckland, to a warehouse.

“We always knew Grey Lynn would one day be valuable as residential property,” says Mike Mapperson, co-owner of Cooper Cars. “But our new site in Onehunga has fantastic views because we are on the ridgeline.”

The dealership opened on Great North Road in 1983 with “the strip” also home to some big franchises, such as Giltrap Prestige, Auckland City Toyota and John Andrew Ford and Mazda.

The area is going through intensification because it’s so close to the city centre with zoning conditions allowing for apartments to be constructed, so other businesses there may be affected by other new developments over coming years.

Mapperson says the area’s intensification has taken longer than expected, “but I think the global financial crisis held it back by three or four years”.

He and brother-in-law Brian Sullivan are now enjoying the benefits of being in the warehouse since August.

“The customers can come in all weather, and in Grey Lynn we had problems with dust, birds flying overhead and atmospheric contaminants.”

Cooper Cars isn’t expecting to lose customers because of the move with most inquiry coming via the internet, which “makes geography irrelevant”.

The site holds up to 50 vehicles – 40 under cover and 10 outside – and the shift was a swift process.

“We didn’t have the luxury of too much overlap having bought the new site and being ready to move. We had to ask for an extension on our previous site. We’re here a bit prematurely, so there’s more finishing off to do.”

Despite being able to display

more vehicles, Mapperson will keep numbers consistent.

“We’re unlikely to carry more stock. If we stay the same, that will be good. If we drop by 15 per cent, our overheads are lower so it won’t be a worry.”

FRANCHISE DOUBLES SIZEAuckland City Toyota, which was bought by Armstrong Motor Group from the Giltrap Group about six months ago, is expanding its Mount Wellington premises.

The new site will enable the dealership to offer a greater selection of vehicles by effectively doubling its holding capability.

“Auckland City Toyota has been an important acquisition, Toyota is New Zealand’s biggest brand and Auckland is by far the largest market,” says managing director Rick Armstrong.

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NEwS in brief Flagship sedan sets record for most safety pointsHyundai’s Genesis has achieved the highest score in the 21-year history of ANCAP testing – 36.88 points out of a possible 37 to secure a five-star rating.

ANCAP’s assessment includes 64kph frontal offset, 50kph side impact and 29kph pole tests. The whiplash test simulates a 32kph rear-end and 40kph pedestrian impact protection test. A minimum number of active safety assist technologies (SATs) are also needed.

The Genesis’ tally included a frontal offset score of 15.88 out of 16 and a perfect 16 for side impact. It also got two out of two in the pole test and a “good” whiplash rating.

The vehicle, which will be launched here at the start of next year, has advanced high-strength steel in its body structure. All safety features are standard, including autonomous emergency braking and electronic brake distribution, blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise control.

The Genesis boasts daytime running lights, high-intensity discharge headlights with static bending and high-beam assist, pre-safe systems, reversing collision avoidance and a 360-degree around-view monitor.

There’s also a tyre-pressure monitoring system, an active lift – or pop-up – bonnet and nine passenger airbags, including one for the driver’s knees.

GPS signals used to drive concept car around circuitAudi claims to have set a benchmark for autonomous vehicles after its RS 7 completed a Grand Prix lap driverless at racing speed. It took the concept car slightly more than two minutes to get around Hockenheim.

The marque uses corrected GPS signals for on-road orientation with data transmitted to the vehicle via wi-fi.

At the same time, three-dimensional cameras in RS 7, pictured, film the track and a computer compares images to on-board data. This is what makes it possible for the RS 7 to orient itself on the track within centimetres.

Audi says piloted driving is one of its most important development fields with its first successes achieved 10 years ago.

The marque’s driver-assistance systems are installed in the updated A6 and A7 Sportback model series. They include side and active lane assist, and adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go function.

Transport agency approves two-wheeler for road useAn electric bike has been approved for road use after a company in Christchurch lobbied for six years to have it classified as a wheeled recreational device – not a motor vehicle.

The YikeBike can reach speeds up to 23kph and the company is on track to produce at least 1,500 units for overseas distribution over the next 12 months.

Chief executive Lincoln Sell says getting the legal tick in New Zealand will make it easier to push the YikeBike in international markets and locally.

“Often innovation leads to regulation and, while we’ve had something different, it’s a challenge when people aren’t actually allowed to ride.”

The NZTA advises “yikers” can now ride on any road or footpath with a helmet if they follow the same rules as bicycles.

Bank’s rating boosted after reducing non-core assetsFitch Ratings has raised its long-term issuer credit rating on Heartland Bank to BBB from BBB- outlook stable.

It noted the bank’s consistent reduction in non-core assets resulting in improved asset quality and stronger earnings, and that its business model focuses on niche markets in which it has a leading share.

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www.autofile.co.nz | 19

new cars

Inspiration from racetrack

Mitsubishi’s Lancer is retaining its appeal with private buyers of

small sedans with this year being no exception.

In the 12 months to September, the marque says five times more people in this category chose the model than its nearest competitor.

It has now released its 2015 line-up led by the high-specification and rally-inspired GSR with machine-finished black 16-inch alloys.

The GSR’s two-litre 115kW Smart-MIVEC engine and advanced six-speed CVT transmission with sports mode can post fuel-economy figures of 7.3l/100km.

Its mod-cons include six-inch touchscreen audio, reversing camera and climate-

control air conditioning with audio and Bluetooth fingertip-controlled from the leather-covered steering wheel.

The 2015 sedans have seven airbags. Its active and passive safety systems include indicators on the door mirrors and a function that activates hazard warning lights during emergency braking in excess of 55kph.

The leather-upholstered SEi has rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, heated front seats and automatic folding rear-view mirrors.

The Lancer hatchbacks inherit the sedans’ qualities plus a boot area that becomes bigger when the rear seats are folded down.

The GSR retails for $32,990, the SEi starts at $36,990 and the LS is $30,690 – plus on-road costs.

Sedan builds appeal

Holden’s SS V Redline

of only a handful of cars to have these anchorage points across all three rear seats.

The Redline has split-rim 19-inch black alloys as standard, while a gloss-black rear valance has been added to sport sedans.

The SV6 and Calais get a full-sized alloy spare wheel as standard to replace the tyre sealant and air-compressor kit.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MODEL The SSV Redline comes with a six-litre V8 engine and six-speed

gearbox or optional six-speed automatic transmission.

This model has launch control, colour head-up display and Holden’s MyLink infotainment system with an eight-inch colour touch-screen display.

Embedded apps include Pandora, Stitcher SmartRadio and Siri eyes-free mode.

Safety features include automatic park assist, rear-view camera, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision alert and rear-parking sensor.

The 2015 Holden VF Commodore sees the range being refreshed with new

features and improved technology.The SSV Redline’s update is

inspired by the racetrack with paddle-shifters mounted on the steering wheel of automatic models.

They allow use of the “active select” function with greater precision without drivers needing to take their hands off the wheel.

Holden has calibrated a revised set-up for the electronic power-steering system, which has an

enhanced feel, precision and smoothness.

The marque has also tuned three steering calibrations for the 2015 VF Commodore, with “touring” in the Evoke, Calais, Calais V, Caprice V.

“Sport” appears in the SV6, SS, SS V, while “sport and competitive” are in the Redline.

All variants have five ANCAP safety stars. Systems include lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision alert.

With the introduction of ISOFIX standards to Australia, the VF is one

The rally-inspired Lancer GSR miles motor group

PAUL CURIN 0274 333 303 [email protected]

Toyota SUVs & UtesVEHICLES WANTED

We are always looking to purchase late model NZ NEW CARS AND COMMERCIALS

Hilux • Land Cruiser • Prado

Page 20: Autofile, Nov 7: out now

20 | www.autofile.co.nz

Many car dealerships across the country are family-owned and are often passed down to the next generation.

But succession is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly – it needs to be planned, according to a report published with PwC’s latest family business survey.

The professional services network says owners of family businesses in New Zealand need to innovate, attract the right skills and differentiate themselves to stay successful.

Their turnovers are smaller on average compared to overseas because this is a relatively young country.

New Zealand also has a lot more family members who are chief executives and managing directors, which shows more Kiwis are running family businesses as opposed to governing them.

Another interesting point is more than half are run by people aged 55 or over – nearly one-third higher than the global average.

The top three key internal issues in PwC’s survey are staff recruitment at 79 per cent, followed by business development and finance availability on 21 and 19 per cent.

As for external issues, market conditions and economic uncertainty lead the way on 53 per cent with competition on 36 per cent and exchange rates on 34 per cent.

The most important priorities cited are to remain in business and improve profitability. Next come factors that will make this happen with the “heart issues” of family and community coming in lower than prior years.

But too many family businesses have still not fully grasped the issue of succession with 57 per cent saying they have plans in place for some, if not all, senior roles.

Kiwis are also leaving it until

later on in life with just 17 per cent saying they have robust and documented succession processes in place.

“A plan that isn’t set out in writing is not a plan, it’s an idea,” says Robbie Gimblett, PwC’s private business market leader.

“This is an issue family firms must address because without it enterprises are at stake. This red flag is creating unnecessary exposure for families and their businesses – and shouldn’t be ignored.

“Just over half of respondents have a shareholder agreement

and procedures in place for measuring and appraising performance, meaning the other half do not.

“Even more than half surveyed have no procedures in place in the event of incapacity or death of a family member or conflict

resolution mechanisms. “We encourage people to

address these risks and formalise planning to protect their businesses for the future.”

Gimblett says owners of family businesses need to innovate, attract the right skills and differentiate themselves if they want to remain successful.

Seventy-four per cent have grown in the past year compared with 65 per cent globally.

Ninety-four per cent are aiming to expand over the next five years compared to 85 per cent of global respondents – and all of those predicting growth are confident of achieving it.

“New Zealand family businesses are growing and this trend will continue, with Kiwis more bullish and their outlook more positive, which isn’t unexpected given recent economic success,” says Gimblett.

“To achieve future growth, they will need to focus on furthering innovation, differentiating themselves and acquiring better talent.”

KrisTian aQUilina will be the new managing director Holden NZ and Isuzu Trucks from January.

Aquilina, pictured, started off in corporate affairs with General Motors Holden Australia (GMH) where he helped launch the VT Commodore in 1997.

From 2001-03, he was in vehicle sales and marketing, and managed sales for Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, GMH and Dubai between 2003 and 2005.

From 2005-07, Aquilina was the company’s national manager of government relations and public policy before overseeing export sales for a year.

He was marketing manager for large cars, SUVs and light commercials from 2008-13 before being zone manager for Victoria and Tasmania from 2013-14.

Aquilina replaces Jeff Murray, who started as managing director of Holden NZ in 2011 and has been appointed director of sales at GMH in Melbourne.

Visit www.autofile.co.nz for more on Murray, and Gerry Dorizas resigning as chairman and managing director of GMH.

MarK MOUnTcasTle has resigned as chief risk officer of Heartland New Zealand, but will remain with the company until November 30.

Jeff Greenslade, chief executive officer, says Mountcastle has made a significant contribution and has created a strong risk culture in the organisation.

The company has started a recruitment process for a new chief risk officer and expects to announce a successor shortly. In the meantime, chief financial officer Simon Owen has been appointed on an acting basis.

Gary leech has retired as a director of Heartland. The board acknowledges his “outstanding contribution” to the company in its formation at the time of the 2011’s merger and by chairing one of the group’s audit committees.

ian Baard has been appointed used vehicle manager at John Andrew Mazda in Grey Lynn, Auckland, following Julian Stone becoming dealer principal.

Baard has been promoted into the role having previously been employed in retail sales.

craiG Baylis has been appointed dealership manager at Continental Cars Peugeot.

He has been promoted from the sales manager’s role at Continental Cars Citroen.

liZ dOBsOn has been elected as president of the NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild for the next 12 months.

She takes over from David Linklater, who had held the position for the past three years.

Marina JOseph is the newest team member at Jerry Clayton BMW.Prior to taking on the role of sales executive, she worked for Peugeot.

industry movers

TO FEATURE IN INDUSTRY MOVERS EMAIL [email protected]

NZ labour market report

Robbie Gimblett

Page 21: Autofile, Nov 7: out now

www.autofile.co.nz | 21

M any car dealers using Trade Me Motors will now be

paying less under a new pricing structure that came into effect on November 1.

We have introduced three new packages – basic, torque and turbo – after meeting with motor vehicle traders around the country and talking to them about product packages they would like us to offer online.

There are price increases for some of our products, but there are some decreases too.

We have a lot of products available and want dealers to

make the most of them. Our conversations with traders have helped to shape the packages – and we believe they are useful and great value.

Any traders with questions about the changes and packages should get in touch with their account manager or customer support team on 0800-428-862.

We also have a number of other improvements on the horizon to make it easier to buy and sell vehicles. These include improved reporting, ways to differentiate dealerships and better search functionality.

Trade Me is innovative and we

are always developing ways to improve. If you have features or products you would like to see us consider, please let us know.

Over the past year, all vehicle dealers have been moved to our application programming interface (API), which increases updates to the motors section from four hours to every 15 minutes.

Safety ratings have been included to improve data and better search functionality makes finding vehicles easier. An upgraded dealer resource centre will be released soon.

We’ve also invested in MotorWeb to provide dealers’

customers with added confidence to purchase a car while having total piece of mind, and MotorWeb integration changes are in the pipeline.

Trade Me Motors’ support and account management teams now have more people in them, so we can provide a more effective service.

We are also looking for more technical people to deliver new and enhanced products quicker than we’ve been capable of doing in the past.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERSQ: Why have the new packages

been introduced? A: Trade Me Motors wants its dealers

to make the most of its products. We are aiming for them to be useful and great value.

Q: Where can I find out more information?

A: We will be updating our website soon. Get in touch with your account manager to find out more in the meantime.

Q: Do I end up on a package if I stay on listings only?

A: Dealers who do this go onto the basic package. All products can also be bought separately.

Q: Why should I sign up to a torque or turbo package?

A: They are excellent value for many dealers. We have a range of premium products many already use, but these packages make it easier to purchase them – and at better prices.

O c t O b e r s t a t i s t i c s

*in October on Trade Me Motors

Most popular car makes searched*

1 Toyota 2 Nissan3 Ford4 BMW5 Holden

Most popular car models searched*1 Hilux2 Falcon3 Corolla4 Commodore5 Golf

Most popular body styles searched* 1 RV/SUV 2 Sedan 3 Station wagon 4 Hatchback5 Ute

Most popular makes of motorbike searched*1 Honda 2 Harley-Davidson 3 Suzuki 4 Yamaha5 Kawasaki

A Porsche Panamera Turbo S Turbo PDK has been listed for $219,990. The 4.8 litre sedan boasts 419kW and has travelled only 14,000km. It features tyre-pressure monitoring, sport chrono package, dynamic chassis control and torque vectoring.

by Darren wiltshire head of Trade Me Motors

Online packages for motor vehicle dealers

CAR DEALERS Q&A

In a nutshell, what are these changes all about?

There are price increases for some of our products kicking in on 1 November, and some decreases too. Please have a look at the new rate card we’ve put together. Many dealers who use multiple Trade Me Motors products are set to pay less under the new pricing.

We’re also set to introduce three new packages: Basic, Torque and Turbo. We spent time meeting with dealers around the country and talking to them about new product packages that they would like us to offer.

When do the changes kick in?

1 November 2014. Of course, if you’re still inside the minimum period of your contract these changes will not affect you until the end of the minimum term as agreed. (Please see the terms and conditions of your contract if you think this applies to you.)

Why have you introduced packages?

We have a lot of products and we want our dealers to make the most of them. Our conversations with dealers shaped the packages and we’re aiming for them to be useful and great value.

Where can I find out more about which package might suit me best?

This graphic is a good place to start.

Advertising Fees

DealerBase

0800 support

Price Compare

Auto Response

SiteLink

Showroom

Extended Showroom

Data Export

Subtitle

MotorWeb VIRs

Packages Features

*25 VIRs for vehicle limit of 10 to 75*50 VIRs for vehicle limit of 100 or above

( Amount varies depending on listing package* )

Page 1 of 2

CAR DEALERS Q&A

In a nutshell, what are these changes all about?

There are price increases for some of our products kicking in on 1 November, and some decreases too. Please have a look at the new rate card we’ve put together. Many dealers who use multiple Trade Me Motors products are set to pay less under the new pricing.

We’re also set to introduce three new packages: Basic, Torque and Turbo. We spent time meeting with dealers around the country and talking to them about new product packages that they would like us to offer.

When do the changes kick in?

1 November 2014. Of course, if you’re still inside the minimum period of your contract these changes will not affect you until the end of the minimum term as agreed. (Please see the terms and conditions of your contract if you think this applies to you.)

Why have you introduced packages?

We have a lot of products and we want our dealers to make the most of them. Our conversations with dealers shaped the packages and we’re aiming for them to be useful and great value.

Where can I find out more about which package might suit me best?

This graphic is a good place to start.

Advertising Fees

DealerBase

0800 support

Price Compare

Auto Response

SiteLink

Showroom

Extended Showroom

Data Export

Subtitle

MotorWeb VIRs

Packages Features

*25 VIRs for vehicle limit of 10 to 75*50 VIRs for vehicle limit of 100 or above

( Amount varies depending on listing package* )

Page 1 of 2

CAR DEALERS Q&A

In a nutshell, what are these changes all about?

There are price increases for some of our products kicking in on 1 November, and some decreases too. Please have a look at the new rate card we’ve put together. Many dealers who use multiple Trade Me Motors products are set to pay less under the new pricing.

We’re also set to introduce three new packages: Basic, Torque and Turbo. We spent time meeting with dealers around the country and talking to them about new product packages that they would like us to offer.

When do the changes kick in?

1 November 2014. Of course, if you’re still inside the minimum period of your contract these changes will not affect you until the end of the minimum term as agreed. (Please see the terms and conditions of your contract if you think this applies to you.)

Why have you introduced packages?

We have a lot of products and we want our dealers to make the most of them. Our conversations with dealers shaped the packages and we’re aiming for them to be useful and great value.

Where can I find out more about which package might suit me best?

This graphic is a good place to start.

Advertising Fees

DealerBase

0800 support

Price Compare

Auto Response

SiteLink

Showroom

Extended Showroom

Data Export

Subtitle

MotorWeb VIRs

Packages Features

*25 VIRs for vehicle limit of 10 to 75*50 VIRs for vehicle limit of 100 or above

( Amount varies depending on listing package* )

Page 1 of 2

Page 22: Autofile, Nov 7: out now

22 | www.autofile.co.nz

BackgroundArash Armand bought a 2005 Honda Edix from Penrose Enterprises Ltd for $10,100 on December 19, 2013.

He claimed its starter motor was faulty and the trader failed to repair it within a reasonable time in breach of the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA).

The buyer applied to the tribunal for an order that the dealer pay for the starter motor, charges to tow the multi-purpose vehicle to a repairer and the cost of a parcel tray he said the trader promised to supply.

The dealer had offered to pay for the starter and towing, which came to $336, but denied it promised to provide Armand with a parcel tray for the car.

The main issues raised by this application were whether the trader promised the buyer a tray and, if so, what was the cost of a second-hand one.

Section six of the CGA imposes on a supplier a guarantee that the goods are of acceptable quality.

“Acceptable quality” means they must be fit for purpose, acceptable in appearance and finish, free from minor defects, safe and durable.

Factors taken into account include the nature of the goods, price, statements made on any packaging or label, any representation about the goods made by the supplier or manufacturer, and other relevant supply issues.

When goods are displayed for sale or hire, defects to be treated as having been specifically drawn to the consumer’s attention should be disclosed on a written

notice displayed with the goods.Goods will not fail the

guarantee of acceptable quality if they have been used in a manner or to an extent that’s inconsistent with what a reasonable consumer expects to obtain from them and they would have complied with this guarantee if they hadn’t been used in that way.

The caseArmand test drove the vehicle before agreeing to buy it when the Japanese import had 93,645km on its odometer.

His negotiations for the purchase were with a salesman, who the tribunal was told had since died.

Armand said he pointed out a number of problems at the time of sale – the starter motor was faulty, the driver’s mirror didn’t retract, the CD player didn’t work and there was no parcel tray in the vehicle.

He said the salesman promised the trader would fix each item, but they were excluded from the vehicle offer and sale agreement (VOSA) the parties signed and there was no separate promise sheet.

Armand gave evidence that he returned the car to the dealer in January 2014 and again in April to have the starter motor, mirror and CD player fixed.

The trader’s records showed the vehicle was returned on January 17 because the mirror wasn’t retracting, there were faults with the passenger’s window, a door lock and the CD player, and the brakes were noisy.

By April, the dealer appeared to have fixed most problems except for the brakes and starter motor.

The trader sent the vehicle to Church Street Motors & Tyres, which charged the dealer $180 to replace the brush set and a solenoid.

But that work on April 4, according to Armand, didn’t cure the fault with the starter motor and he continued to experience problems with it until it failed on July 7.

He had the vehicle towed to a friend in Kelston at a cost of $60 and bought a second-hand starter from Strong for Honda on July 7 for $276, which his friend fitted for him without charge.

Mr R Giri, the trader’s business manager, agreed to refund Armand with the cost of the starter motor and his towing fee – a total of $336 – but said the dealer disputed any liability to provide a parcel tray.

Armand said the salesman promised him the trader would supply a tray as soon as it received one from another vehicle from Japan.

This – like the other promises made to repair the car’s faults, the tribunal noted – wasn’t recorded on the VOSA or on a promise sheet.

Although Armand took four witnesses to the hearing, none of them gave evidence of being present when he negotiated the purchase of the vehicle or overhearing the salesman making any pledges.

Armand produced copies of emails and text messages he had sent to the dealer about providing the tray, which the trader didn’t respond to.

Giri, who told the tribunal he hadn’t started working for

the dealer until after Armand purchased the vehicle, said that the buyer was told by the trader that “when a car comes in with a parcel tray, we will give it to you”.

He added the trader hadn’t supplied Armand with a tray yet because one hadn’t come into its possession from its purchase of other Honda Edixes, of which the dealer had imported four in the past year.

The findingThe tribunal considered the trader’s salesman had promised to provide the buyer with a parcel tray for the vehicle.

The pledge was probably not specific as to when the dealer would perform its promise.

The tribunal considered the trader hadn’t fulfilled its pledge within a reasonable time and the buyer was now entitled to be provided with a second-hand tray.

It understood from a conference call made to Strong for Honda during the hearing that they were available for purchase from time to time from the company for $175 plus GST or $201.

OrderThe tribunal ordered the trader to pay $537 to the buyer for a second-hand tray, starter motor and towing charges.

Vehicle offer and sale agreement failed to list faults at time of purchase

disputes

The case: The buyer said his

car’s starter motor was faulty and

the dealer failed to repair it within

a reasonable time. The trader paid

for a new part and towing fees, but

claimed it didn’t promise to supply

a parcel tray for the Honda Edix.

The decision: The tribunal

considered the trader hadn’t

fulfilled its promise within a

reasonable time and the buyer was

entitled to a second-hand tray.

At: The Motor Vehicle Disputes

Tribunal, Auckland.

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www.autofile.co.nz | 23

BackgroundHelen Avison bought a 2007 Ford Focus for $14,000 from Allkar Sales on January 31, 2013.

She rejected it because she claimed its power-steering unit was faulty, the vehicle had a vibration and she had lost confidence in the car.

The buyer wanted the tribunal to uphold her rejection and order the trader to refund her purchase price.

The dealer said the power steering’s control module unit had been replaced and there was nothing wrong with the steering.

It added any vibration caused by a worn engine mount didn’t fail the guarantee of acceptable quality under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA).

The caseThe six-year-old Ford Focus had 109,213km on its odometer when supplied and Avison bought an Autosure mechanical breakdown insurance policy for $1,199.

She traded in a 2003 Nissan Pulsar for which she received a credit of $2,642 and financed the balance of the price with a collateral loan from Motor Trade Finance Ltd over 60 months.

Avison used the car for 11 months without any problems being diagnosed.

In December 2013 or January 2014 – she was unsure when – a warning light lit up on the instrument cluster.

But she didn’t do anything about it until March when she took the vehicle back to the trader after the steering became heavy.

The trader recommended she have it investigated and repaired using her Autosure policy.

Avison took the car to Westech Automotive Northland, which replaced a power-steering control module with a second-hand one when the odometer was on 121,086km – or 11,873km more than at the date of sale.

She said the warning light continued to light up on the instrument panel although the steering didn’t fail.

The vehicle was then sent to Auto Tech Northland in late March. It fitted a new power-steering pump and control-module assembly before it was returned to Avison on April 4.

Auto Tech’s invoice of April 14 sent to Autosure noted that after the new module was fitted, a communications fault code returned three more times, but was no longer present after numerous road tests and use by the owner for two weeks.

Avison went to the Citizens Advice Bureau in Whangarei and, on April 4, it sent the trader a letter rejecting the vehicle claiming the failure of the power-steering system was one of substantial character.

She said the car started to vibrate in April 2014 and she took it to Pacific Motor Group, a Ford franchise agent, which told her the problem could be caused by a faulty engine mount.

Avison didn’t have the mount replaced and provided no technical reports to show the vehicle had any faults.

Her husband infrequently drove the car, but soon after she had bought it he noticed the accelerator didn’t immediately respond, and there was a lag between depressing the accelerator and the vehicle responding.

He added neither he nor

his wife had that matter investigated by their mechanic.

Mr B Lambert, director, said the first the trader heard of the steering fault was in March 2014 although Avison claimed the problem arose in December 2013.

He said it was fixed by Westech Automotive in March and he was surprised this issue wasn’t drawn to Westech’s notice by Avison when she had the company service the car on January 7 and issue a warrant of fitness (WOF) for it on February 3.

Lambert understood a new power-steering pump and control-module assembly were fitted by Autotech under the Autosure policy around March 25.

He said that to date the vehicle hadn’t been faulty, Avison was still driving it and it had now travelled more than 128,000km according to the buyer – or 19,000km since it was sold.

The trader said it was willing to trade Avison out of her car, but her requirements for that were unreasonable.

The findingThe first issue the tribunal had to determine was whether the vehicle complied with the CGA’s guarantee of acceptable quality at the time of sale.

It took into account the car was six years old and New Zealand-new with 109,213km on its odometer when purchased for $14,000.

The vehicle appeared to the tribunal to have been free of minor faults when it was supplied because it was sold with a new WOF and Avison didn’t contact the trader to express any dissatisfaction until 14 months

The case: The buyer wanted

to reject her Ford Focus because

she claimed its power steering

was faulty and the car vibrated.

The trader said its control module

unit had been replaced, there was

nothing wrong with the steering

and any vibration that existed

wasn’t a failure under consumer

legislation.

The decision: The tribunal

agreed with the dealer that the

vehicle didn’t lack durability and

rejected the application.

At: The Motor Vehicle Disputes

Tribunal, Whangarei.

after buying it in March 2014. By that time, she had travelled

11,873km in the car and it passed another WOF in February 2014.

The matter the tribunal had to decide was whether it was as durable as a reasonable consumer buying a vehicle of this age, mileage and price would regard as acceptable.

Having regard to the moderately high mileage it had travelled when it was supplied and the fact Avison drove a further 11,873km in the 14 months after buying it from the trader, the tribunal wasn’t persuaded the car lacked durability.

On the advice of its assessor, it considered power-steering components could fail in a vehicle of this type at any time after 120,000km of use over a seven-year period, so Avison’s experience didn’t establish the Focus lacked durability.

The vibration she said now existed – and which she said was probably due to an engine mount – was also a function of an ageing and moderately high-mileage vehicle. It didn’t indicate the car lacked durability.

OrderThe buyer’s application to reject the vehicle was dismissed because the tribunal didn’t consider it failed to comply with the CGA’s guarantee of acceptable quality.

Car ruled to be durable after claim lodged 14 months from date of supply

disputes

O N L I N EGET THE LATEST IN AUTOMOTIVE NEWSSubscribe for FREE to Autofile Online and get up-to-date industry news

PLUS access to the Autofile industry directory www.autofi le.co.nz/subscribe

Page 24: Autofile, Nov 7: out now

Total New Cars 8910

2013: 7962  11.9%

Total Used Imported Cars 11,105

2013: 8545  30.0%

24 | www.autofile.co.nz

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Whangarei Auckland Hamilton Thames Tauranga Rotorua Gisborne Napier New Plymouth Wanganui Palmerston North Masterton Wellington

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october 2014 ThamesNEW: 44 2013: 65  32.3%USED: 58 2013: 50  16.0%

TaurangaNEW: 296 2013: 270  9.6%USED: 466 2013: 290  60.7%

GisborneNEW: 45 2013: 41  9.8%USED: 50 2013: 34  47.1%

MastertonNEW: 52 2013: 45  15.6%USED: 53 2013: 20  165.0%

BlenheimNEW: 48 2013: 50  4.0%USED: 63 2013: 43  46.5%

TimaruNEW: 55 2013: 45  22.2%USED: 92 2013: 78  17.9%

DunedinNEW: 192 2013: 163  17.8%USED: 300 2013: 216  38.9%

RotoruaNEW: 80 2013: 51  56.9%USED: 114 2013: 76  50.0%

NapierNEW: 178 2013: 173  2.9%USED: 202 2013: 147  37.4%

WellingtonNEW: 623 2013: 557  11.8%USED: 811 2013: 729  11.2%

ChristchurchNEW: 1888 2013: 1570  20.3%USED: 1528 2013: 1185  28.9%

OamaruNEW: 11 2013: 9  22.2%USED: 25 2013: 24  4.2%

InvercargillNEW: 100 2013: 90  90%USED: 125 2013: 103  21.4%

WhangareiNEW: 143 2013: 126  13.5%

USED: 253 2013: 144  75.7%

WanganuiNEW: 42 2013: 47  10.6%

USED: 73 2013: 59  23.7%

HamiltonNEW: 389 2013: 424  8.3%

USED: 782 2013: 495  58.0%

NelsonNEW: 73 2013: 65  12.3%

USED: 187 2013: 127  47.2%

AucklandNEW: 4299 2013: 3815  12.7%

USED: 5460 2013: 4320  26.4%

Palmerston NorthNEW: 212 2013: 217  2.3%

USED: 271 2013: 229  18.3%

New PlymouthNEW: 133 2013: 119  11.8%USED: 159 2013: 147  8.2%

WestportNEW: 1 2013: 4  75.0%USED: 8 2013: 7  14.3%

GreymouthNEW: 6 2013: 16  62.5%

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www.autofile.co.nz | 25

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Imported Passenger Vehicle Sales by Make - October 2014

MAkE OCT '14 OCT '13 +/- % OCT '14 MkT SHArE 2014 TOTAl 2014 MkT

SHArE

Toyota 2638 2006 31.5 23.8% 25114 23.7%

Nissan 2110 1554 35.8 19.0% 20122 19.0%

Mazda 1726 1535 12.4 15.5% 17133 16.2%

Honda 1085 882 23.0 9.8% 11103 10.5%

Suzuki 691 484 42.8 6.2% 6431 6.1%

Subaru 517 385 34.3 4.7% 4354 4.1%

BMW 457 262 74.4 4.1% 4316 4.1%

Volkswagen 427 303 40.9 3.8% 3804 3.6%

Mitsubishi 408 317 28.7 3.7% 3929 3.7%

Mercedes-Benz 228 159 43.4 2.1% 1808 1.7%

Audi 207 149 38.9 1.9% 2101 2.0%

Ford 131 105 24.8 1.2% 1206 1.1%

Volvo 72 64 12.5 0.6% 622 0.6%

Hyundai 61 21 190.5 0.5% 379 0.4%

Chevrolet 43 61 -29.5 0.4% 498 0.5%

Mini 38 26 46.2 0.3% 368 0.3%

Land Rover 29 31 -6.5 0.3% 297 0.3%

Lexus 28 16 75.0 0.3% 398 0.4%

Jaguar 26 34 -23.5 0.2% 356 0.3%

Holden 25 20 25.0 0.2% 249 0.2%

Peugeot 21 10 110.0 0.2% 140 0.1%

Daihatsu 16 24 -33.3 0.1% 160 0.2%

Dodge 15 7 114.3 0.1% 135 0.1%

Austin-Healey 14 0 1400.0 0.1% 16 0.0%

Porsche 14 9 55.6 0.1% 121 0.1%

Chrysler 6 9 -33.3 0.1% 54 0.1%

Fiat 5 4 25.0 0.0% 35 0.0%

Jeep 5 9 -44.4 0.0% 61 0.1%

Alfa Romeo 4 4 0.0 0.0% 43 0.0%

Citroen 4 1 300.0 0.0% 31 0.0%

Kia 4 2 100.0 0.0% 31 0.0%

Plymouth 4 3 33.3 0.0% 20 0.0%

Pontiac 4 2 100.0 0.0% 29 0.0%

Renault 4 13 -69.2 0.0% 57 0.1%

Smart 4 0 400.0 0.0% 21 0.0%

Others 34 34 0.0 0.3% 403 0.4%

Total 11,105 8545 30.0 100.0% 105,945 100.0%

Imported Passenger Vehicle Sales by Model - October 2014

MAkE MODEl OCT '14 OCT '13 +/- % OCT '14 MkT SHArE

2014 TOTAl

2014 MkT SHArE

Suzuki Swift 568 405 40.2 5.1% 5334 5.0%

Nissan Tiida 528 420 25.7 4.8% 5710 5.4%

Mazda Axela 504 416 21.2 4.5% 4895 4.6%

Mazda Demio 377 393 -4.1 3.4% 4275 4.0%

Subaru Legacy 292 233 25.3 2.6% 2475 2.3%

Honda Fit 291 305 -4.6 2.6% 3462 3.3%

Mazda Atenza 278 256 8.6 2.5% 2435 2.3%

Toyota Vitz 272 204 33.3 2.4% 2481 2.3%

Volkswagen Golf 254 194 30.9 2.3% 2301 2.2%

Toyota Corolla 240 245 -2.0 2.2% 2673 2.5%

Toyota Wish 236 201 17.4 2.1% 2731 2.6%

Mitsubishi Outlander 201 106 89.6 1.8% 1601 1.5%

Honda Odyssey 198 131 51.1 1.8% 1763 1.7%

Mazda MPV 193 215 -10.2 1.7% 1988 1.9%

Toyota Estima 184 132 39.4 1.7% 1480 1.4%

Nissan Dualis 178 40 345.0 1.6% 1071 1.0%

Mazda Premacy 168 118 42.4 1.5% 1436 1.4%

Nissan Note 153 114 34.2 1.4% 1790 1.7%

Nissan Bluebird 148 129 14.7 1.3% 1303 1.2%

Nissan Skyline 145 53 173.6 1.3% 1104 1.0%

Toyota Ist 129 145 -11.0 1.2% 1459 1.4%

Nissan March 127 155 -18.1 1.1% 1419 1.3%

Nissan Murano 124 61 103.3 1.1% 1103 1.0%

Toyota Blade 118 61 93.4 1.1% 1035 1.0%

Honda Accord 110 105 4.8 1.0% 1259 1.2%

BMW 320i 109 63 73.0 1.0% 1064 1.0%

Nissan Teana 106 106 0.0 1.0% 1152 1.1%

Toyota Avensis 103 97 6.2 0.9% 969 0.9%

Honda Stream 102 91 12.1 0.9% 1018 1.0%

Toyota Auris 102 65 56.9 0.9% 1221 1.2%

Honda CRV 99 59 67.8 0.9% 950 0.9%

Mitsubishi Colt 97 100 -3.0 0.9% 1121 1.1%

Toyota RAV4 96 63 52.4 0.9% 903 0.9%

Toyota Mark X 93 44 111.4 0.8% 914 0.9%

Toyota Caldina 92 71 29.6 0.8% 925 0.9%

Others 4090 2949 38.7 36.8% 37125 35.0%

Total 11,105 8545 30.0 100.0% 105,945 100.0%

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Used car imports hit 100kUsed imported passenger

vehicles broke through the six-figure barrier last

month to reach year-to-date sales of 105,945.

There were 11,105 units sold in October, which was a 30 per cent increase over the same month last year when 8,545 were registered.

Three models are leading the way. Nissan’s Tiida now has a market share of 5.4 per cent with 5,334 sales so far this year.

Next up is the Suzuki Swift on five per cent followed by Mazda’s Axela on 4.6 per cent.

Gregg Nelson, of Value Buy Cars in Motueka, which is the second largest centre in the Tasman region after Richmond, told Autofile business has been good.

“That’s being reflected in the fact that there’s some certainty in the government and the favourable exchange rate, but that has been trending down a bit,” he says.

“We just sell stuff that’s priced less than $10,000 to transients and the local population.

“We’re coming into the haymaking season and will be selling 40 vehicles a month over the next four to five months.

“We offer guaranteed buy-backs, so we’re almost like a hybrid rental car company and that’s working out to be pretty popular.”

Nelson says backpackers historically fly into Christchurch, get on a Kiwi Experience bus and end up in Tasman where there’s plenty of seasonal work.

“They like to work during the week and play on the weekends,” he says. “They want to explore every nook and cranny, so they pool together to buy a station wagon or van.

“The biggest problem I have

isn’t getting customers, but finding the cars. A lot of them are budget-conscious purchasers and some are well-healed, so a lot of the stock under $10,000 suits these types of buyers.”

Nelson has good relationships with rental vehicle suppliers and franchises, so his dealership is pricing cars all over New Zealand.

“A lot of business is based on referrals,” he says. “People have endorsed us through the community. They tend to be slow decision makers and take a lot of

caution throughout the process.“What we do is educate them

on what they need and how long they can drive for.

“We also take a lot of our tourists on drives to explain to them the nature of driving in this country and we also put ‘keep left’ stickers on the dashboards of our vehicles.”

Ian Baard, used vehicle sales manager at John Andrew Mazda in Grey Lynn, Auckland, says trade has been “fairly steady” with the week leading up Labour Day weekend and the school holidays going quiet.

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“But there’s enough inquiry around and we are still tracking where we need to be in terms of targets.”

Baard says the Mazda 6 and 3 have been going well, while a lot of people are also in the market for CX7s and CX5s.

“It’s just across the board with families with two children tending to look at SUVs or the Mazda 3.

“We get the odd executive who is after a Mazda 6 and needs a fairly large car to make a decent impression. Nine times out of 10,

the Mazda 6 is being used as a work vehicle.”

Finance hasn’t been phenomenal, but it’s ahead of where the business needs to be.

“It’s running at the same rate if not a little better,” says Baard. “Out of every 10 people, there are one or two people who won’t get approval.”

Ryan Durry, director of Quay Cars in Nelson, has been working in the motor trade for 15 years.

His business specialises in small cars, station wagons, vans and four-wheel-drives priced at less than $20,000.

He says: “School holidays generally slow down, but our past eight months have been incredibly strong. Good quality stock is part of it.

“Overall with sales, we would be from this point in time up 15 per cent on last year.

“The people weren’t really around last month and we have seen drops in our internet inquiry through our Autobase dashboard.

“I think it’s harder now. I saw some Mitsubishi Outlanders online and mine were $3,000 or $4,000 out compared to what some guys were selling them for in Auckland.

“I’m wondering how they are actually doing it – they must be pretty low-quality imports.”

On the market generally, Durry believes if Japanese-owned entrant Gulliver New Zealand “does it properly, it will have a huge effect on the market”.

He adds that 2 Cheap Cars is expanding “big time” and it will be interesting to see the “big arm wrestle” because prices throughout the country will have to be on par.

“We have got rent and wages to pay, so we need to make a decent profit per vehicle,” says Durry, who spent some time in the past working for Subaru Melbourne.

“Something has got to give. We’ll have to have smaller profit margins or specialise, and it will be very hard for dealers to make a half-decent profit out of a vehicle.

“Being a smallish company, I think we can change tack a little bit if need be.

“We also provide protection through 12-month Protecta warranties as well as AA appraisals.

“We haven’t had too many buyers who haven’t been approved – only some really bad apples.”

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New Passenger Vehicle Sales by Make - October 2014

MAkE OCT '14 OCT '13 +/- % OCT '14 MkT SHArE 2014 TOTAl 2014 MkT

SHArE

Toyota 2395 2063 16.1 26.9% 12661 16.7%

Holden 966 949 1.8 10.8% 8471 11.2%

Hyundai 673 536 25.6 7.6% 6576 8.7%

Ford 667 824 -19.1 7.5% 5911 7.8%

Mazda 621 514 20.8 7.0% 5534 7.3%

Mitsubishi 427 368 16.0 4.8% 4429 5.8%

Suzuki 373 315 18.4 4.2% 4059 5.4%

Nissan 336 216 55.6 3.8% 3976 5.2%

Honda 317 278 14.0 3.6% 3016 4.0%

Volkswagen 307 286 7.3 3.4% 3408 4.5%

Kia 244 215 13.5 2.7% 2496 3.3%

BMW 199 165 20.6 2.2% 1801 2.4%

Audi 173 121 43.0 1.9% 1775 2.3%

Subaru 154 114 35.1 1.7% 1501 2.0%

Mercedes-Benz 134 151 -11.3 1.5% 1572 2.1%

Jeep 132 104 26.9 1.5% 1109 1.5%

Ssangyong 90 92 -2.2 1.0% 841 1.1%

Skoda 85 74 14.9 1.0% 735 1.0%

Peugeot 79 78 1.3 0.9% 915 1.2%

Mini 61 50 22.0 0.7% 472 0.6%

Dodge 58 39 48.7 0.7% 469 0.6%

Land Rover 56 40 40.0 0.6% 734 1.0%

Fiat 55 26 111.5 0.6% 409 0.5%

Lexus 55 56 -1.8 0.6% 462 0.6%

Renault 41 7 485.7 0.5% 229 0.3%

Porsche 33 21 57.1 0.4% 245 0.3%

Volvo 32 21 52.4 0.4% 377 0.5%

Chery 27 104 -74.0 0.3% 274 0.4%

Citroen 24 27 -11.1 0.3% 340 0.4%

Great Wall 23 24 -4.2 0.3% 158 0.2%

Alfa Romeo 17 19 -10.5 0.2% 218 0.3%

Chrysler 15 13 15.4 0.2% 76 0.1%

Jaguar 10 11 -9.1 0.1% 110 0.1%

Maserati 8 0 0.0 0.1% 67 0.1%

Isuzu 4 2 100.0 0.0% 73 0.1%

Mahindra 4 1 300.0 0.0% 47 0.1%

Ferrari 3 3 0.0 0.0% 12 0.0%

Can-Am 2 5 -60.0 0.0% 48 0.1%

MG 2 1 100.0 0.0% 44 0.1%

Aston Martin 1 2 -50.0 0.0% 20 0.0%

Others 7 27 -74.1 0.1% 102 0.1%

Total 8910 7962 11.9 100.0% 75,772 100.0%

New Passenger Vehicle Sales by Model - October 2014

MAkE MODEl OCT '14 OCT '13 +/- % OCT '14 MkT SHArE

2014 TOTAl

2014 MkT SHArE

Toyota Corolla 1257 963 30.5 14.1% 5095 6.7%

Toyota yaris 438 325 34.8 4.9% 1966 2.6%

Holden Commodore 294 357 -17.6 3.3% 2553 3.4%

Suzuki Swift 266 201 32.3 3.0% 2245 3.0%

Toyota RAV4 263 276 -4.7 3.0% 1962 2.6%

Holden Cruze 243 121 100.8 2.7% 1479 2.0%

Toyota Highlander 243 78 211.5 2.7% 1568 2.1%

Mazda Mazda3 233 172 35.5 2.6% 2025 2.7%

Ford Focus 230 180 27.8 2.6% 1486 2.0%

Honda Jazz 218 97 124.7 2.4% 1508 2.0%

Mazda CX-5 211 172 22.7 2.4% 2015 2.7%

Hyundai ix35 181 153 18.3 2.0% 1617 2.1%

Hyundai Santa Fe 173 83 108.4 1.9% 1599 2.1%

Mitsubishi Outlander 159 143 11.2 1.8% 1331 1.8%

Volkswagen Golf 149 141 5.7 1.7% 1512 2.0%

Mazda Mazda2 112 75 49.3 1.3% 663 0.9%

Mitsubishi Lancer 112 116 -3.4 1.3% 1368 1.8%

Holden Captiva 111 165 -32.7 1.2% 1873 2.5%

Nissan Qashqai 106 44 140.9 1.2% 1213 1.6%

Holden Barina 105 56 87.5 1.2% 795 1.0%

Holden Trax 98 80 22.5 1.1% 657 0.9%

Toyota Camry 97 160 -39.4 1.1% 706 0.9%

Mitsubishi ASX 90 47 91.5 1.0% 815 1.1%

Ford Kuga 87 100 -13.0 1.0% 1140 1.5%

Ford Mondeo 87 227 -61.7 1.0% 615 0.8%

Hyundai i30 87 139 -37.4 1.0% 1202 1.6%

Nissan X-Trail 87 33 163.6 1.0% 1178 1.6%

Kia Cerato 72 43 67.4 0.8% 468 0.6%

Jeep Grand Cherokee 71 64 10.9 0.8% 672 0.9%

Ford Fiesta 70 63 11.1 0.8% 814 1.1%

Hyundai iMax 70 20 250.0 0.8% 247 0.3%

Ford Territory 67 107 -37.4 0.8% 889 1.2%

Ssangyong Korando 65 75 -13.3 0.7% 547 0.7%

Ford Falcon 63 144 -56.3 0.7% 624 0.8%

Volkswagen Polo 63 31 103.2 0.7% 561 0.7%

Kia Sportage 61 89 -31.5 0.7% 778 1.0%

Dodge Journey 58 39 48.7 0.7% 467 0.6%

Ford Ecosport 58 - - 0.7% 275 0.4%

Holden Barina Spark 57 45 26.7 0.6% 370 0.5%

Hyundai i20 51 43 18.6 0.6% 622 0.8%

Others 2347 2495 -5.9 26.3% 26,252 34.6%

Total 8910 7962 11.9 100.0% 75,772 100.0%

new car sales

From the rising sun to the long white cloud The history of used car importing to New Zealand

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Baylis told Autofile it’s always a battle to get people to go back to the manufacturer for servicing, but Peugeot is tackling that by now offering customers plans starting at $599 over three years.

He adds: “More people are now looking at European marques and part of that is due to the pricing.

“Because of the New Zealand dollar, you can now purchase European at the same price as a Japanese vehicle. Some models are even more competitive on price and European vehicles have held a premium in the past.”

Baylis says when it comes to margins, trading is competitive among traditional car retailers.

“It’s expensive to have land in inner-city Auckland, there’s a lot of pressure on, it’s harder to attract people, you have to pay good money to keep people and landlords are only putting rents up, so it’s not for the weak-hearted.”

He believes dealerships are finding it hard to attract new people into the industry.

“We are now training up people in-house who have never worked

in the motor industry before.“Delivering people trained

the way we want them is the only way to get well-trained staff because attracting them from other dealerships is hard work and expensive.

“When you have to train fresh staff, you have to hire on attitude. You can teach product knowledge, but you can’t teach people to be interested.

“I think there are a lot of people in electrical or furnishing retail doing the hours any way and they see the benefits of working in the motor vehicle industry.”

Mike Eastwood, dealer principal of Eastwood Motor Group in Masterton, reports trade as being “pretty good”.

“The market is quite buoyant locally as it is nationally. The three brands we have – Hyundai, Kia and Isuzu Utes – are very strong and we make up 22 per cent of the market in our region.

“Our point of difference is customers come in and enjoy the experience. We always have different functions, such as sailing on The Spirit of Adventure.

“We have done that four times now and 70 customers have already been on that trip with Hyundai sponsoring The Spirit of Adventure.

“Our sales manager, Gary Allen, is New Zealand’s top salesman and he represented Hyundai NZ in South Korea late last year in the first sales consultation competition.”

Eastwood adds “Hyundai’s flagship”, the Santa Fe, has been performing well, while the dealership has also been selling good numbers of i30s and iLoads.

“The Genesis has the highest safety rating of any vehicle, and the beauty of the range is that it’s affordable.”

The registration of 12,023 new vehicles last month meant it was the strongest

October since the industry started collecting records in 1975.

It brought the year-to-date total to 106,582 units with the previous best October coming in 1984 with 10,724 sales.

Distributors are closing in on 2013’s overall total of 113,297 sales and are on target to exceed highest annual sales of 123,247 set in 1984.

SUVs continued to make up the strongest segment with 26 per cent of all new vehicles sales in October. It was followed by small passenger cars at 23 per cent.

Passenger vehicle sales of 8,910 during October were up by 948 units on the same month of 2013, while 75,772 units have been registered in 2014 – 10.4 per cent more than this time last year.

Toyota remained the market leader on 2,395 units with last month’s results boosted by strong rental sales of 936 Corollas and 311 Yarises.

The Corolla topped last month’s cars chart on 1,257 units. It was followed by the Yaris with 438 sales. Holden’s Commodore was next up with 294.

Myles Gazley, managing director of the Gazley Motor Group in Wellington, describes October as “a huge month”.

The business holds franchises for Volkswagen, Citroen, Renault, Nissan and MG, and has just secured Fiat, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Dodge.

“We have a great mixture of brands,” he says. “I think the car business is about product and we have good lines at the moment.

“It’s all about product and the right people. If you have those, then you are halfway there.

“Nissan has been going very well and so has Volkswagen, plus Renault

On target for record salesand Citroen had a good month.

“Nissan has been aggressive with its marketing. Its finance offer has meant a lot of used car buyers are going for new instead, and both Renault and Citroen are becoming more aggressive on price.”

Gazley says there was a bit of a drop in sales before the general election, “but the whole country was like that”.

He adds: “We have got some big Wellington-based fleet deals looming and people are spending money.”

Craig Baylis, dealership manager

for Continental Cars Peugeot in Greenlane, Auckland, says inquiry has increased for Peugeot’s SUV range with the advantage of the 3008 being a small diesel.

“On the back of the 308 and the freshening of the 508, which is our mid-sized car, we are ready for a big push,” he says.

“The 208 has a younger and less conservative audience, and we will build on that with the 308.

“It has modern technology, such as touchscreens, and huge environmental advantages to appeal to people in their 30s.”

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new car sales

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Feilding because we are more sheep and beef,” explains Small.

“We have been a bit up and down over the past two or three years, but if they have another good year next year, it will have flow-on effects for our industry.

“Trades do play a small part. They are more consistent in their

purchasing because you don’t get the high and lows.

“The building industry here is not strong, but it’s not in decline, and all of the tradies have plenty of work.”

Henry Belt, of Whangarei’s IC Motor Group, says new commercial vehicles now account for about 45 per cent of the region’s market.

“The Navara has sold well for us after we struggled to get supply to match demand,” he says.

“In the main, if you do the job well and get the chance to secure stock, buyers will wait.”

Ford’s Ranger retained top spot as the monthly top-selling ute in October with 627 sales. Year to date, it’s ahead of Toyota’s Hilux by 283 units.

Last month saw 3,113 new commercial vehicles registered, which was up

by 379 units – or 13.9 per cent – compared to October 2013.

Year-to-date sales now come in at 5,286, or 20.7 per cent ahead of the same time last year.

Stephen Salkeld, sales manager of Bay Ford in Hastings, expects the commercial market to grow on the cusp of some local developments looming.

“Without a doubt, the trades come and go,” he says. “You have a run of it throughout the year.

“You can sell two or three vans one month, and the next month you will see nobody. There’s no pattern to it.”

Kevin Small, of TRC Toyota in Feilding, says: “Pockets of stock are harder to get at the right

price points, and commercial vehicles and medium-sized vehicles are a bit limited at the moment.”

On the reduced Fonterra pay-out, he feels this will have a small effect because most farmers have their budgets set.

“Dairy isn’t a huge sector for

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New Commercial Sales - 2012-2014

Sales steam ahead of last year

New Commercial Sales by Make - October 2014

MAkE OCT '14 OCT '13 +/- % OCT '14 MkT SHArE

2014 FUll YEAr

2014 MkT SHArE

Toyota 707 601 17.6 22.7% 7147 23.2%Ford 691 542 27.5 22.2% 5691 18.5%Holden 252 256 -1.6 8.1% 2643 8.6%Isuzu 168 139 20.9 5.4% 1829 5.9%Nissan 142 177 -19.8 4.6% 2112 6.9%Mitsubishi 131 154 -14.9 4.2% 1975 6.4%Volkswagen 123 159 -22.6 4.0% 1134 3.7%Mazda 104 80 30.0 3.3% 1272 4.1%Fiat 81 33 145.5 2.6% 325 1.1%Mitsubishi Fuso 77 63 22.2 2.5% 581 1.9%Ssangyong 75 36 108.3 2.4% 746 2.4%Mercedes-Benz 70 59 18.6 2.2% 570 1.9%Foton 59 19 210.5 1.9% 381 1.2%Hino 55 59 -6.8 1.8% 620 2.0%Hyundai 52 75 -30.7 1.7% 652 2.1%Great Wall 47 82 -42.7 1.5% 687 2.2%LDV 35 22 59.1 1.1% 345 1.1%UD Trucks 28 19 47.4 0.9% 212 0.7%Scania 27 15 80.0 0.9% 176 0.6%Volvo 27 19 42.1 0.9% 234 0.8%Others 162 125 29.6 5.2% 1474 4.8%Total 3113 2734 13.9 100.0% 30,806 100.0%

New Commercial Sales by Model - October 2014

MAkE MODEl OCT '14 OCT '13 +/- % OCT '14 MkT SHArE

2014 FUll YEAr

2014 MkT SHArE

Ford Ranger 627 478 31.2 20.1% 5072 16.5%Toyota Hilux 514 396 29.8 16.5% 4780 15.5%Holden Colorado 235 233 0.9 7.5% 2428 7.9%Toyota Hiace 175 186 -5.9 5.6% 2169 7.0%Nissan Navara 142 177 -19.8 4.6% 2112 6.9%Isuzu D-Max 110 75 46.7 3.5% 1062 3.4%Mazda BT-50 104 80 30.0 3.3% 1271 4.1%Mitsubishi Triton 103 103 0.0 3.3% 1334 4.3%Fiat Ducato 79 32 146.9 2.5% 297 1.0%Ssangyong Actyon Sport 75 36 108.3 2.4% 746 2.4%Ford Transit 62 58 6.9 2.0% 575 1.9%Volkswagen Amarok 57 63 -9.5 1.8% 670 2.2%Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 56 45 24.4 1.8% 439 1.4%Foton Tunland 51 19 168.4 1.6% 335 1.1%Hyundai iLoad 51 70 -27.1 1.6% 636 2.1%LDV V80 35 22 59.1 1.1% 345 1.1%Great Wall V240 33 65 -49.2 1.1% 527 1.7%Isuzu N Series 33 27 22.2 1.1% 329 1.1%Volkswagen Caddy 30 6 400.0 1.0% 149 0.5%Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter 29 18 61.1 0.9% 209 0.7%Others 512 545 -6.1 16.4% 5321 17.3%Total 3113 2734 13.9 100.0% 30,806 100.0%

new commercial sales

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Used ute and van sales upAn 11.6 per cent increase

in the registration of used commercial vehicles was

recorded last month compared to October 2013 – 701 against 628.

Toyota topped the ladders for marques and models with 342 overall sales and 244 Hiaces being registered.

These figures represented rises of 14.4 and 14.6 respectively compared to October last year. Nissan took out both second places.

Ryan Durry, of Quay Cars in Nelson, says his business has been selling quite a few used commercial vehicles.

“They have mainly been four-wheel-drive utes and generally they have sold within seven days,” he told Autofile.

“I’m lucky if I get trade-ins. I tend to get vehicles from franchise

dealers because they don’t want to retail them and they have usually done too many kilometres.

“We also import a couple of Hiaces from Japan, but we are competing with dealers in Auckland.

“It’s not hard for someone to now buy from Auckland without anyone seeing it and prices have to

be in line with what’s on Trade Me.”“Used commercials have been

hard to source and sell,” says Ian Baard, of John Andrew Mazda.

“I guess that’s because new vehicles aren’t overly expensive and people can afford to buy them.

“For example, there was a $3,000 price difference between a one-

year-old used vehicle and the new model. Price points are so close.”

Baard describes the city’s market as “a lot more competitive, regardless of new or used”.

He says: “Everyone’s trying to make a living selling vehicles. New car manufacturers and their prices are so competitive, and that’s affecting the used market.

“The reality is every dealership is different and we encourage our existing customers to stay ahead of the game.”

Stephen Salkeld, of Bay Ford in Hastings, says: “With so many Ranger sales lately, I’m absolutely choc-a-block with used commercials so I haven’t had to go looking.

“This has mostly been ute trade-ins on utes. We don’t often get too many cars traded.”

200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2012 2013 2014

Used Commercial Sales - 2012-2014

Used Commercial Sales by Make - October 2014

MAkE OCT '14 OCT '13 +/- % OCT '14 MkT SHArE

2014 FUll YEAr

2014 MkT SHArE

Toyota 342 299 14.4 48.8% 3213 49.4%Nissan 136 136 0.0 19.4% 1335 20.5%Mazda 42 30 40.0 6.0% 326 5.0%Ford 32 24 33.3 4.6% 259 4.0%Mitsubishi 30 13 130.8 4.3% 209 3.2%Isuzu 23 40 -42.5 3.3% 323 5.0%Hino 20 15 33.3 2.9% 135 2.1%Chevrolet 15 12 25.0 2.1% 150 2.3%Holden 11 2 450.0 1.6% 99 1.5%Fiat 9 10 -10.0 1.3% 56 0.9%Mercedes-Benz 6 1 500.0 0.9% 43 0.7%GMC 4 4 0.0 0.6% 31 0.5%Dodge 3 6 -50.0 0.4% 36 0.6%Mitsubishi Fuso 3 1 200.0 0.4% 14 0.2%Renault 3 3 0.0 0.4% 17 0.3%Suzuki 3 5 -40.0 0.4% 29 0.4%Volkswagen 3 3 0.0 0.4% 37 0.6%Daihatsu 2 0 200.0 0.3% 6 0.1%Iveco 2 0 200.0 0.3% 11 0.2%Volvo 2 3 -33.3 0.3% 18 0.3%Others 10 21 -52.4 1.4% 156 2.4%Total 701 628 11.6 100.0% 6503 100.0%

Used Commercial Sales by Model - October 2014

MAkE MODEl OCT '14 OCT '13 +/- % OCT '14 MkT SHArE

2014 FUll YEAr

2014 MkT SHArE

Toyota Hiace 244 213 14.6 34.8% 2388 36.7%Nissan Caravan 54 71 -23.9 7.7% 625 9.6%Toyota Regius 43 31 38.7 6.1% 305 4.7%Mazda Bongo 37 25 48.0 5.3% 262 4.0%Nissan Vanette 30 43 -30.2 4.3% 376 5.8%Toyota Dyna 16 24 -33.3 2.3% 200 3.1%Nissan Navara 15 8 87.5 2.1% 91 1.4%Isuzu Elf 14 22 -36.4 2.0% 174 2.7%Mitsubishi Canter 13 10 30.0 1.9% 78 1.2%Nissan Nv200 13 0 1300.0 1.9% 41 0.6%Toyota Toyoace 13 4 225.0 1.9% 127 2.0%Nissan Atlas 10 10 0.0 1.4% 118 1.8%Toyota Hilux 10 7 42.9 1.4% 97 1.5%Fiat Ducato 9 9 0.0 1.3% 52 0.8%Ford Ranger 9 4 125.0 1.3% 72 1.1%Hino Dutro 9 7 28.6 1.3% 61 0.9%Mitsubishi Delica 9 1 800.0 1.3% 54 0.8%Chevrolet Silverado 8 7 14.3 1.1% 60 0.9%Ford Transit 8 13 -38.5 1.1% 70 1.1%Hino Ranger 8 5 60.0 1.1% 42 0.6%Others 129 114 13.2 18.4% 1210 18.6%Total 701 628 11.6 100.0% 6503 100.0%

used commercial sales

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FRANCHISE DEALERSExpand your network of buyers for trade-in stock – to over 300 registered members

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SERIOUS ABOUT SERVICE

Blair HowardNew Zealand sales manager027 479 6998

Nigel McAuleySouth Island / Wellington Business Development Manager027 8765434

www.autohub.co +64 9 411 7425 [email protected]

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