Latest news with #ImportedMotorVehicleIndustryAssociation
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
VIA Applauds Government Move To Overhaul Land-Transport Rules
The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) has welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister Hon Chris Bishop of a seven-stream Land Transport Rules Reform Programme, describing it as 'the breakout moment the sector has been waiting for.' The programme's sixth stream – a complete overhaul of the vehicle regulatory system – directly answers VIA's long-standing call for a simpler, outcomes-based rulebook. 'Right now we're forced to navigate more than twenty different Land Transport Rules, seven separate Vehicle Inspection Requirement Manuals, and about fifty technical bulletins tacked onto the Entry Compliance Manual,' says VIA Chief Executive Greig Epps. 'That's regulatory archaeology. Every layer of paper adds cost without adding safety.' Mr Epps says the Government's pledge to streamline import requirements and recognise overseas standards is 'exactly the reset the industry – and ordinary Kiwi motorists – need'. 'If we focus on the result we all want – safe, clean vehicles at a fair price – then align the best international standards to that goal, compliance stops being a cost sink and starts being a productivity lever,' he says. VIA has argued for a two-tier framework: one rule that states the desired outcomes, and a dynamic list of accepted global standards that inspectors and importers can reference in real time. The Association will work with officials to uncover and fix duplicated rules and outdated requirements as consultation begins. 'We're ready to bring practical fixes to the table so the reform doesn't get bogged down in theory,' Mr Epps says. Minister Bishop's plan signals most decisions will be made within 18 months, with public consultation on the broader overhaul scheduled for mid-2026. 'We'll be at the front of that queue,' Mr Epps says. 'This is a chance to cut red tape, lower costs for families, and keep the fleet moving toward safer, lower-emission vehicles.' For more information: ABOUT VIA (Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association) represents businesses involved in importing, preparing, wholesaling, and retailing used vehicles into New Zealand, primarily from Japan, Singapore, and other markets. As the industry's collective voice, VIA engages with government and stakeholders to support fair regulation and sustainable practices across the sector.
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Fleet Emissions Rise As Imports Fall Sharply
Press Release – Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association A major position paper released by VIA this monthAccelerating the Path to Sustainable Transportfound that not only is the CCS failing to deliver the expected environmental benefits but is also directly undermining progress by constraining access to cleaner, … Projected import volumes for used vehicles in New Zealand could fall as low as 60,000 by 2028, slashing fleet turnover and threatening emissions goals, according to industry analysis. A major position paper released by VIA this month— Accelerating the Path to Sustainable Transport —found that not only is the CCS failing to deliver the expected environmental benefits but is also directly undermining progress by constraining access to cleaner, affordable used vehicles—still the most relied-upon segment by 80% of New Zealand consumers. 'The Clean Car Standard was meant to green our roads, but it's stalling fleet renewal and ageing our vehicles,' says Greig Epps, Chief Executive of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA). The Clean Car Standard (CCS), launched with the intention of reducing transport emissions, is now under fire from the very industry it was meant to help reform. 'VIA initially supported the Clean Car Programme's intent to reduce emissions but warned in October 2021 that its design could lead to unintended consequences, including vehicle shortages, rising costs, market inefficiencies, fleet aging, and flawed incentives—predictions that, as much as everyone hoped otherwise, have proven to be true,' says Epps. 1. Reassess the volume trap Data reveals that unless policy is urgently reformed, used import volumes could decline to 60,000 by 2028—a level last seen before the liberalisation of vehicle tariffs in the late 1980s. A contracting pipeline means fewer efficient vehicles are available to replace the old, high-emitting ones still on New Zealand's roads. That dynamic, compounded by cost-of-living pressures, will incentivise owners to repair and retain older cars, which will effectively reverse the emissions gains CCS was designed to produce. Epps says the reality is sobering, 'The average vehicle age is climbing, and with it, emissions per kilometre. Treasury warned back in 2019 that fleet refreshment—not just cleaner cars—was critical to reducing net emissions. VIA's latest reports show this advice was not heeded.' 2. Focus on fuel, not just fleets 'The fastest way to cut emissions is to target the energy source, not just the car,' says Epps. The paper advocates for a broader approach through a transparent, user-pays fuel levy to reflect the true climate cost of driving. By making petrol more expensive at the pump, behaviour change is more likely across all vehicle types, rather than penalising just the act of importing a car. 'We believe this would shift the incentive from vehicle purchase decisions alone to everyday usage—a more equitable approach,' says Epps. 'Especially given that vehicle supply is driven by Japanese auction markets and foreign exchange rates far beyond the control of Kiwi buyers or importers.' 3. Keep it simple, and sustainable Epps says the VIA is calling for CCS overhaul, if not replacement. 'At the heart of the issue is a misaligned set of targets and incentives. For example, current weight allowances mean that heavier vehicles receive more lenient emissions benchmarks, creating a perverse incentive that favours larger cars—despite their greater fuel use.' Epps is calling for a flat penalty for each gram of CO over a set threshold, applied at first registration and clearly displayed at the point of sale. 'This system would be transparent, fair, and easier for consumers to understand. Crucially, it would also better align with used market realities, where options are constrained by Japan's registration patterns from a decade ago,' he says. Broad approach to transport needed Epps says a genuinely effective response to transport emissions in New Zealand requires a whole-of-system approach—one that goes far beyond simply regulating the cars we drive. 'Focusing solely on the Clean Car Standard (CCS) neglects the broader ecosystem of transport choices that shape daily mobility, particularly in urban areas. Investment in public transport infrastructure offers scalable emissions reductions by shifting commuters out of private vehicles altogether. 'Electrifying bus fleets, expanding train services, and supporting active transport options like cycling and walking through safe, connected cycleways can deliver rapid, population-wide benefits.' Epps says these initiatives reduce vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) and lower dependence on fossil fuels, regardless of the vehicle fleet's emissions profile. 'The Clean Car Standard can't carry the entire weight of our climate commitments,' says Epps, and the data supports this. By rebalancing policy focus to include modal shift—encouraging more people to choose buses, bikes, or trains instead of cars—New Zealand can achieve meaningful emissions reductions while also improving health, congestion, and social equity,' he says. This means investing not only in infrastructure but also in affordability and access: subsidised public transport, integrated ticketing systems, and support for electric bike ownership all play a role. 'A diversified strategy doesn't dilute emissions efforts—it strengthens them, ensuring more New Zealanders can participate in the transition, not just those in a position to buy a cleaner car,' says Epps. The path forward The original Clean Car Programme was built on good intentions, but execution has strayed into over-engineered policy that now actively hampers the transition it aimed to enable. 'Without affordable used hybrids and electrics flowing into the country at scale, emissions will continue to rise despite regulatory efforts.' Epps says that unfortunately, VIA's consistent warnings since 2021 have come to pass. 'We encourage the Government to decide whether to recalibrate to create a greener, more sustainable transport system. The alternative is rising costs, older cars, and missed climate targets,' he says. ABOUT VIA (Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association) represents businesses involved in importing, preparing, wholesaling, and retailing used vehicles into New Zealand, primarily from Japan, Singapore, and other markets. As the industry's collective voice, VIA engages with government and stakeholders to support fair regulation and sustainable practices across the sector.
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Fleet Emissions Rise As Imports Fall Sharply
Projected import volumes for used vehicles in New Zealand could fall as low as 60,000 by 2028, slashing fleet turnover and threatening emissions goals, according to industry analysis. A major position paper released by VIA this month— Accelerating the Path to Sustainable Transport —found that not only is the CCS failing to deliver the expected environmental benefits but is also directly undermining progress by constraining access to cleaner, affordable used vehicles—still the most relied-upon segment by 80% of New Zealand consumers. 'The Clean Car Standard was meant to green our roads, but it's stalling fleet renewal and ageing our vehicles,' says Greig Epps, Chief Executive of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA). The Clean Car Standard (CCS), launched with the intention of reducing transport emissions, is now under fire from the very industry it was meant to help reform. 'VIA initially supported the Clean Car Programme's intent to reduce emissions but warned in October 2021 that its design could lead to unintended consequences, including vehicle shortages, rising costs, market inefficiencies, fleet aging, and flawed incentives—predictions that, as much as everyone hoped otherwise, have proven to be true,' says Epps. 1. Reassess the volume trap Data reveals that unless policy is urgently reformed, used import volumes could decline to 60,000 by 2028—a level last seen before the liberalisation of vehicle tariffs in the late 1980s. A contracting pipeline means fewer efficient vehicles are available to replace the old, high-emitting ones still on New Zealand's roads. That dynamic, compounded by cost-of-living pressures, will incentivise owners to repair and retain older cars, which will effectively reverse the emissions gains CCS was designed to produce. Epps says the reality is sobering, 'The average vehicle age is climbing, and with it, emissions per kilometre. Treasury warned back in 2019 that fleet refreshment—not just cleaner cars—was critical to reducing net emissions. VIA's latest reports show this advice was not heeded.' 2. Focus on fuel, not just fleets 'The fastest way to cut emissions is to target the energy source, not just the car,' says Epps. The paper advocates for a broader approach through a transparent, user-pays fuel levy to reflect the true climate cost of driving. By making petrol more expensive at the pump, behaviour change is more likely across all vehicle types, rather than penalising just the act of importing a car. 'We believe this would shift the incentive from vehicle purchase decisions alone to everyday usage—a more equitable approach,' says Epps. 'Especially given that vehicle supply is driven by Japanese auction markets and foreign exchange rates far beyond the control of Kiwi buyers or importers.' 3. Keep it simple, and sustainable Epps says the VIA is calling for CCS overhaul, if not replacement. 'At the heart of the issue is a misaligned set of targets and incentives. For example, current weight allowances mean that heavier vehicles receive more lenient emissions benchmarks, creating a perverse incentive that favours larger cars—despite their greater fuel use.' Epps is calling for a flat penalty for each gram of CO over a set threshold, applied at first registration and clearly displayed at the point of sale. 'This system would be transparent, fair, and easier for consumers to understand. Crucially, it would also better align with used market realities, where options are constrained by Japan's registration patterns from a decade ago,' he says. Broad approach to transport needed Epps says a genuinely effective response to transport emissions in New Zealand requires a whole-of-system approach—one that goes far beyond simply regulating the cars we drive. 'Focusing solely on the Clean Car Standard (CCS) neglects the broader ecosystem of transport choices that shape daily mobility, particularly in urban areas. Investment in public transport infrastructure offers scalable emissions reductions by shifting commuters out of private vehicles altogether. 'Electrifying bus fleets, expanding train services, and supporting active transport options like cycling and walking through safe, connected cycleways can deliver rapid, population-wide benefits.' Epps says these initiatives reduce vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) and lower dependence on fossil fuels, regardless of the vehicle fleet's emissions profile. 'The Clean Car Standard can't carry the entire weight of our climate commitments,' says Epps, and the data supports this. By rebalancing policy focus to include modal shift—encouraging more people to choose buses, bikes, or trains instead of cars—New Zealand can achieve meaningful emissions reductions while also improving health, congestion, and social equity,' he says. This means investing not only in infrastructure but also in affordability and access: subsidised public transport, integrated ticketing systems, and support for electric bike ownership all play a role. 'A diversified strategy doesn't dilute emissions efforts—it strengthens them, ensuring more New Zealanders can participate in the transition, not just those in a position to buy a cleaner car,' says Epps. The path forward The original Clean Car Programme was built on good intentions, but execution has strayed into over-engineered policy that now actively hampers the transition it aimed to enable. 'Without affordable used hybrids and electrics flowing into the country at scale, emissions will continue to rise despite regulatory efforts.' Epps says that unfortunately, VIA's consistent warnings since 2021 have come to pass. 'We encourage the Government to decide whether to recalibrate to create a greener, more sustainable transport system. The alternative is rising costs, older cars, and missed climate targets,' he says. For more information: ABOUT VIA (Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association) represents businesses involved in importing, preparing, wholesaling, and retailing used vehicles into New Zealand, primarily from Japan, Singapore, and other markets. As the industry's collective voice, VIA engages with government and stakeholders to support fair regulation and sustainable practices across the sector.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
EV Battery Fires Expose New Zealand Regulatory Gap
Press Release – Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association A new industry report investigates concerns around battery end-of-life management in Aotearoa. It finds that while a growing number of businesses are repurposing and recycling EV batteries, they are doing so without formal safety standards, oversight, … The fire that destroyed a North Shore recycling facility is a stark reminder of what's at stake when battery systems outpace regulation. In the wake of the Wairau Valley blaze — where lithium batteries may have contributed to the scale of destruction — the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is renewing its call for national standards governing the reuse and recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. A new industry report investigates concerns around battery end-of-life management in Aotearoa. It finds that while a growing number of businesses are repurposing and recycling EV batteries, they are doing so without formal safety standards, oversight, or ownership rules. 'We're putting lithium batteries into the community at scale, but we don't have a clear plan for what happens when they reach the end of their life,' says VIA Chief Executive Greig Epps. No standards, no certainty The sector report, authored by VIA Technical Lead Malcolm Yorston, shows that battery handling practices vary widely across the country. Some operators use Korean and aviation-grade standards for testing and fire containment, but these are imported workarounds — not a substitute for locally approved systems. Recyclers and refurbishers face additional complexity due to inconsistent battery chemistries, opaque supply chains, and restrictions on access to diagnostic software. Many operate in good faith, but in the absence of formal guidance, even responsible actors are exposed to legal and insurance risks. Some insurers have already begun withdrawing coverage for second-life battery installations, especially in residential settings. The stakes are rising as EV uptake accelerates. Batteries from vehicles imported ten years ago are now reaching end-of-life — and more are arriving each year. VIA's report notes that while local operators collaborate where possible, including partnerships between refurbishers and certified recyclers, there is still no domestic facility capable of extracting lithium or other critical materials at scale. Three steps the government should take now Establish national standards and a battery registry VIA is calling for a comprehensive set of EV battery handling and reuse standards tailored to New Zealand conditions, along with a centralised battery tracking system to ensure end-to-end accountability. Define battery ownership at end-of-life Without clear rules, uncertainty over who is responsible for a used battery creates gaps in compliance, handling, and insurance. VIA says this lack of clarity puts consumers and recyclers at risk. Fund safe infrastructure and training Businesses need investment in safe storage facilities, handling equipment, and certified training pathways. VIA also sees a role for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) in funding sector development and supporting long-term recovery capabilities. The report also highlights viable international models New Zealand could adapt, including the EU's battery lifecycle regulations and Chinese specifications for second-life battery use. These could form the basis for co-designed local guidance in partnership with industry, recyclers, OEMs, and insurers. The fire at Abilities Group may not yet be officially attributed to lithium batteries, but the industry says the pattern is clear. In the absence of national direction, battery-related risks are falling through the cracks. 'There's already a network of businesses doing this work, and doing it with integrity,' says Epps. 'But if we don't act now, we'll keep putting lives and property at risk — and we'll miss the opportunity to build a safe and sustainable battery recovery system.' About: VIA (Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association) represents businesses involved in importing, preparing, wholesaling, and retailing used vehicles into New Zealand, primarily from Japan, Singapore, and other markets. As the industry's collective voice, VIA engages with government and stakeholders to support fair regulation and sustainable practices across the sector.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association - Latest News [Page 1]
EV Battery Fires Expose New Zealand Regulatory Gap A new industry report investigates concerns around battery end-of-life management in Aotearoa. It finds that while a growing number of businesses are repurposing and recycling EV batteries, they are doing so without formal safety standards, oversight, ... More >> EV Battery Fires Expose New Zealand Regulatory Gap Tuesday, 27 May 2025, 10:19 am | Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association In the wake of the Wairau Valley blaze — where lithium batteries may have contributed to the scale of destruction — the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is renewing its call for national standards governing the reuse and recycling of ... More >> Government punctures tyre solution. Tuesday, 2 June 2015, 3:32 pm | Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association Government punctures tyre solution. The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (IMVIA) is extremely disappointed by the announcement today that the government has decided to not proceed with the declaration of tyres as a Priority Product under ... More >> Vehicle importers group welcomes new mandatory safety tech Wednesday, 26 February 2014, 4:12 pm | Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association The peak body for New Zealand's used import industry – responsible for half of the vehicles currently entering the New Zealand fleet – has welcomed draft plans to make Electronic Stability Control mandatory for both new and used cars entering ... More >>
