Volume 5 Issue 2 April 2014 Fair go needed Toyota’s King in bottom-end $5million finance in the red well-known Toyota fran- chise is up for sale, after it air Go host and journalist Gordon Harcourt told AutoTalk this week it Aentered receivership this Harcourt has finally got what he was not his place to comment on the week owing creditors an esti- Fhas been waiting three years for sentence. mated $5 million. - the ability to report fully on the prac- “But I think the authorities have Owner and managing direc- tices of Mount Maunganui done a good job,” Harcourt tor David Clarke called in the dealer and finance company says. “What does concern me receivers to King Toyota, which owner Alan Spiers and his is I was down in Tauranga a has two sites in Lower Hutt and company MAC Warranties. few weeks ago at the stock other in the Upper Hutt, on late The details of Spiers case cars, and people were coming Tuesday. have been often reported. up to me saying this kind of Clarke is currently overseas. Allegations of vehicles that thing has been going on for Receiver John Fisk of Price- had been repossessed being years.” WaterhouseCoopers told Auto- revealed as ‘wrecks’, and And Harcourt believes Talk the travel was pre-arranged. Gordon Harcourt then being refurbished and such practices continue on “He had some long term plans sold for far higher retail values led to a today. and we agreed he should go,” Commerce Commission investigation. “I would be astonished if it does not says Fisk, noting Clarke will return Spiers and the company both happen elsewhere,” Harcourt says. “I in a week. pleaded guilty and were fined would be astonished if there were not A staff member at the dealer- $65,000 - on top of a compensa- a few nervous dealers out there look- ship told AutoTalk Clarke was not tion package that will see around ing at their business model.” available for comment. $180,000 credited to the loan ac- Harcourt notes some vehicles had Fisk says it is early days in the counts of victims. been sold five times - leaving debt process of working out the exact And the case carried more drama behind with multiple people. state of the company, but the than that - Speirs being convicted of He says there is a sector of the mar- debt was predominantly to three bashing Harcourt outside the dealer- ket that has no choice but to seek such secured creditors – a trading ship in 2011. Continued on page 8 bank, Toyota Financial Services and a trust related to Clark. He says the company is still INSIDE trading, and is in a good posi- In a special feature, we take a look at the tion to be sold. “We are very much treating shipping and logistics market Continued on page 8 foundation sponsors

AutoTalk acknowledges the support of our foundation sponsors:

WEEKLY PASSENGER & COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AUCTIONS

www.motorweb.co.nz

www.autosure.co.nz

www.udc.co.nz

2 | www.autotalk.co.nz newstalk

INDUSTRY Honan’s retirement SUPPORTERS recognised by sees Giltrap Group autotalk reshuffle

he Giltrap Group has promoted and relocated five senior dealership Tmanagers in it’s retailing operations in Auckland, due to the retirement of industry Phil Dixon Dave Howarth veteran Terry Honan. Former Giltrap Holden dealer principal Phil Dixon, has moved across the harbour bridge to Scho- fields Newmarket to fill the same role left vacant by Honan who has retired to Cambridge. Former Schofield Holden new vehicle sales manager Dave How- arth has been promoted to the Chris Davey Alby Peterson James Dobbie role of dealer principal for Giltrap Holden, on the North Shore, as of April 1. pointments from within our retail group.” Group general manager for Giltrap Group Coutinho says the movement also retail Tony Coutinho says that Dixon has presented other opportunities to promote been successfully running Giltrap Holden for staff members from within the Giltrap more than six years, and that there is no big- Group retail division. ger opportunity for him than taking on the Albie Peterson has been promoted to role at Schofields. the role of Giltrap Holden new vehicles sales autotalk Coutinho says that Howarth equally has manager, while the previous incumbent AutoTalk Magazine and autotalk.co.nz are published by an excellent track record from his time on James Dobbie has been promoted to the Auto Media Group Limited. P.O.Box the floor at Schofields and it was a great op- role at Schofields vacated by Howarth. 10 50 10, Auckland City, 1030. Ph. portunity for the company to promote him Chris Davey who held the Giltrap Holden 09 309 2444. to a more senior role. new vehicles sales manager role prior to Publisher: Vern Whitehead “We are looking forward to big things Dobbie, is now the general sales manager at [email protected] from both of them,” says Coutinho. “We are Giltrap Nissan and Coutinho says the dealer- Managing editor: Richard Edwards very pleased to have made all these ap- ship is flourishing under his control. [email protected] Chief Reporter: Robert Barry [email protected]

Sales manager: Dale Stevenson Dramatic increase in [email protected] Identicar manager: John Stephens dealer numbers [email protected] Traffic & subscriptions administrator: Deborah Baxter he number of registered traders - and a whopping 22% increase on the [email protected] has taken a dramatic leap - increas- number at the end of March last year. Auto Media Group Limited makes ing by more than 10% in a single Industry observers believe that the every endeavour to ensure infor- T mation contained in this publica- month. increase in dealer numbers is caused by tion is accurate, however we are There are now more than 3000 deal- new entrants into the industry, seeking not liable for any losses or issues ers in New Zealand (3032), an increase to take advantage of what is perceived as resulting from its use. of 22% in one year. ‘easy money’ from car sales in buoyant Annual subscription: $72 + gst ($82.80) The 3032 dealers registered at the end economic times. Printed by: Alpine Printers. of March, represents a 10+% increase on It may also be that non-registered the 2744 traders at the end of February Continued on page 4

www.autotalk.co.nz 3 | newstalk Christchurch dealer frustrated by road work dust

rustrated Christchurch Vehicles on the GM Euro- dealer Grant McLellan pean yard at 45 Moorhouse Ffaces a cleaning bill of Street are completely cov- more than $4000 to rec- ered in dust, and McLellan tify European vehicle stock says he has seen a water sitting on his forecourt cov- truck do a lap today, but ered in dust and debris from he is frustrated that steps road works taking place on weren’t taken earlier by to Moorhouse Avenue. minimise the dirt and the The work is taking place disruption to his business on both sides of Moor- and other yards along the house Avenue, between street. the Lincoln Road intersec- “I had one potential cus- tion and Delwyn Street. tomer come in to look at a Work began earlier this $50,000 Jaguar car that was week and is due to finish covered in dust, this is just sometime this weekend, not the way to present such but the dusty fallout will be a vehicle, and customers are “I didn’t think that the court is our showroom. costly to McLellan and other going to be very reluctant road surface needed to be “We’ve washed the front car dealers along the street to even come on to the yard ripped up, it was fine in my row of cars, but they are in terms of cleaning up because they will get cov- opinion, and the very least dusty again. We’ll need to and lost opportunity to sell ered in dust being churned they could have done was get all the cars properly vehicles. up by the traffic. send a water truck down groomed and detailed again more regularly to avoid at the end of this process clouds of dust coming because dust gets inside the across the yard,” he says. boot and the doors, and the “Even the workers who bodies will need to be re- turned up to do the road polished properly, it will be a AUTO ATTENDANT repairs couldn’t believe a $4000 cost.” water truck had not been McLellan says he would The smarter web enquiry through, I don’t think a lot of like to see the road kept thought has gone into this damp and traffic speed response tool process, its not like we can restricted until work finishes pull the cars inside, the fore- this weekend.   24/7 Email Responses  Personalised design & content  Works with Trade Me, increase in your website & more  Customer calls-to-action dealer numbers  All enquiries tracked Continued from page 3  Automated reminders traders on the internet are getting themselves ready to meet the terms of amended legislation which comes into effect on June 17. per The new law requires all traders to identify them- $80 month* selves as such in all auction or competitive tender NO SETUP FEE advertising. The new rules also bring $1 auctions under the re- 0800 623 687 quirements of the Consumer Guarantees Act. www.dealerzone.co.nz The current number of traders is the highest since

* First Dealership. $40 per month subsequent dealerships. the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008.

4 | www.autotalk.co.nz Don’t buy your next car privately!

Private Here’s why… Dealership Seller

Guaranteed Clear Title Yes No

Fast & Easy Competitive Finance Yes No

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Want confidence for the road ahead? Buy from an Autosure Approved dealer.

For a list of Approved Dealerships visit www.autosure.co.nz newstalk Time for dealerships to invest for growth

ow is the time for “Dealers - particularly new light vehicle motor dealers to operations firstly, and used operations secondly Ninvest in staff and - are going to have significant opportunities in pro-actively plan for growth. This is the message from New Zealand for the next decade, with population Stephen Timperley, partner growth and an ageing car park driving sales.” at Deloitte Motor Industry Services NZ, which runs the Timperley points out 18% of dealers from 16% dealer benchmark and re- that dealers are doing in 2012, but significantly, porting programme - eProf- Stephen Timperley well at the moment, but dealers in the mid-ranked itFocus (r). respondingly an increase of perhaps not as well as they band reduced from 36% “Last year, reporting deal- 12.2% in their teams. should or could be. in 2012 to 29% last year, ers in New Zealand added “The dealers who are “Last year dealers’ while the ‘catch-up’ deal- on average 1.5 people to achieving significantly revenue grew by 8.8%, but ers expanded from 48% in their teams, an 8.4% increase above average profits see retained profit grew by only 2012 to 53% last year. set against a background of that they have to invest 1% - remember that new “Dealers - particularly 12.4% market growth. How- in staff to capture higher vehicle volume growth was new light vehicle operations ever, significantly, the top profits from the sales being 12.4%. Profit growth is not firstly, and used operations 30% of dealers added double made in these economic keeping up with growth secondly - are going to that at 3.6 extra people, cor- boom times.” in revenue, revenue is not have significant opportuni- keeping up with volume,” ties in New Zealand for the says the Deloitte partner. next decade, with popula- “The selling gross of all tion growth and an ageing dealers averages 38%, but car park driving sales,” says the top dealers we sur- Timperley. vey are producing 64%, so “What we all need to there’s plenty of room for ensure is that the growth in improvement by the aver- front-end sales is matched Specialists in age dealer.” by growth in all depart- Deloitte ranks dealerships ments through retention pre‑shipment inspections in three bands - ‘growth’ (the of customers, leading to a top performers), ‘station- sustainable increase in prof- in Japan & UK ary’, and ‘catch-up’ (lower its, so that we can make the  Full border inspections performers). most out of these golden Last year the top economic times for the ve-  Authorised MPI inspections performers expanded to hicle sales retail industry.” 

 Authorised NZTA inspections

 Odometer verification F&Is importance

 Pre-export appraisal ales of finance and insurance products contribute just under 80% of a dealership’s net profit in NZ.  Vehicle history reports S This rose from 75% in 2011 to 83% in 2012, be- fore settling back to 79% last year - a consistent signifi- cant contribution driven by most dealerships manning- up in both staff numbers and professional capability.. According to Deloitte Motor Industry Services, in Australia the contribution from F&I amounts to 139% of a dealership’s net profit. In other words, without F&I JEVIC NZ sales the dealerships would be making no profit at all, at least in the short term anyway. Hardly sustainable.  09 966 1779 www.jevic.co.nz

6 | www.autotalk.co.nz peopletalk Doing double duty

alancing a inter- Gilmour believes the istration and media, while her personal profile here in national career in popularity of the Swift is due Lyndsay Tressler prepares New Zealand which is good Brallying with the to its overall build quality - and maintains the Suzuki for them as well. ownership of a franchise she recently drove a trade-in Swift Maxi rally car from his It’s a venture that will dealership would be a vehicle with 190,000km on headquarters in Gore. further raise Gilmour’s daunting prospect for most the clock, and said it was still Gilmour says that Suzuki profile locally and interna- people, but not Emma Gilm- in very good condition, with New Zealand has been very tionally, which began, she our - the dealer principal of no rattles and a tight chassis. supportive of both the says, by receiving a phone Gilmour Suzuki in Dunedin. “Its such a well built car,” dealership and the mot- call “out of the blue” from Fresh off a flight from Millen, who had a shortlist Los Angeles, Gilmour spoke of potential female drivers to AutoTalk chief reporter for the number 2 Veloster Robert Barry about her chal- rallycross car. lenge, balancing her motor- But Gilmour wasn’t a sport career with running a complete unknown quantity successful Suzuki dealership. to the Millen family motor- Gilmour had returned sport dynasty - she had pre- from Lake Elsinore in viously raced an ex-Possum California. She flown up Bourne Subaru STI-WRX for a pre-season demo WRC car at a hillclimb event day to become acquainted as part of the Leadfoot Festi- with the Hyundai Veloster val organised by Rod Millen rallycross car, in which (father of Rhys) at his Hahei she will participate in a property in New Zealand. two-car team with ex-kiwi “It really is a dream come Rhys Millen, who has been true. Going to America to affiliated with Hyundai race in a professional series Motor America since 2009. with a professional team At home in Dunedin such as Rhys Millen Racing Gilmour says she has a very is hard to believe. I have to good team at the dealership Emma Gilmour keep pinching myself to re- and also on the rally side. mind myself it isn’t a dream,” She says that when she is “It really is a dream come true. Going to she says. away from Dunedin her col- Gilmour has a one-year league and employee Vince America to race in a professional series contract with Rhys Mil- Jones becomes the acting with a professional team such as Rhys len Racing which will be dealer principal. Millen Racing is hard to believe. I have to reviewed at the end of the According to Gilmour, keep pinching myself to remind myself it Global Rallycross season in Jones runs the dealership: 2015. “as if it were his own, and isn’t a dream.” In between the Global makes sure that the custom- Rallycross events, Gilmour ers get looked after.” says Gilmour of the Suzuki orsport venture since she will be behind the wheel of Gilmour says the age pro- Swift. “It doesn’t feel tinny bought the Dunedin Suzuki her Suzuki Swift Maxi rally file of local new car buyers - it’s comfortable, it has a automotive franchise more car in the six-round New in Dunedin tends to range in personality and it’s reliable.” than three-and-a-half years Zealand Rally championship the late 40s to early 50s, and She jokes that the entire ago. Gilmour says the team with Australian Ben Atkin- the dealership sells double Suzuki range is so reliable at Suzuki New Zealand in son sitting beside her in the volume of the new Su- that it can be a bad thing Wanganui are friendly, ap- his professional capacity of zuki Swifts in comparison to for a dealer: “as the work- proachable and very down co-driver. the other passenger models. shop at Gilmour Suzuki is to earth. And in what little spare She says the new S-Cross sometimes a bit too quiet On her upcoming Global time she has left, there may and the Grand Vitara are also for my liking, but Suzuki Rallycross Championship be the opportunity to do popular sellers in Dunedin, have the happiest custom- drive with Hyundai and Rhys a little bit of driver training and the flat-deck Jimny ers, which is great.” Millen Racing in the USA, with the Downforce team, model with its low range On the motorsport side of Gilmour says tactfully that particularly winter snow four-wheel-drive capacity is her life, Gilmour looks after the local distributor appreci- training at the Wanaka Snow very popular with farmers. the sponsorship, admin- ates that the venture raises Farm with Audi. 

www.autotalk.co.nz 7 | newstalk Fair Go in finance

Continued from page 1 part of the repossession process. Zealand, who are all very mindful of deals, but there needs to be a level of The parties do not agree to the treating people fairly,” he says. “Our ve- responsibility from the market. authorship of some of the valuations. hicle valuation service is an important “These people can’t go anywhere Some valuations were genuine, and part of this process. else, that is the blunt reality,” he says. some, while appearing to be from “This is an incredibly disappointing “But it is not a fair service Turners, were filled in by the dealer- issue for us to be involved in,” Hunter when you repossess ve- ship - claiming they were for inter- says. “We are a victim in this situation hicles, and grossly fail to nal use, the Turner’s form being a as well.” meet the terms of the ‘useful template’. Turners stepped up, however, to Credit (Repossession) Turners chief executive help another victim of the case - Keni Act. Todd Hunter says the company Rudolph - who had her vehicle repos- “The day that I got investigated why and how MAC sessed and revalued as a ‘wreck’. thumped I was doing a Warranties was using its paper- In a surprise on Fair Go, the com- story about a 21-year- work, and says the company did pany gave Rudolph $5000 towards old with a Veda score not have access to blank valua- buying a new vehicle from Turners. of 35 who had been tion forms. “We looked to see if there was lent $8000 at 30% on a Todd Hunter “What we think is that he something we could do, and there Subaru worth no where near that. The (Spiers) has photocopied an official was,” says Hunter. guy was an absolute train wreck, no document and blanked it out. Rudolph has since purchased a lender in the world should have given “We represent a large number of 2002 Ford Falcon XR6 - also buying an him that loan. reputable of finance companies in New Autosure warranty with the money.  “That loan was given in the ex- pectation that he would default,” he says. “There is a frightening level of Toyota’s King naivety in that part of the market,” Gordon notes. “Borrowers must pay back money, but lenders must also be $5million in the red responsible. “I do not believe this was responsi- Continued from page 1 their future secured, with 10 of the 51 ble lending.” it as business as usual, and we will be let go today (Friday). Could regulation be tightened to looking for a buyer in the very new Fisk says it is too early to ascertain cover this eventuality? Harcourt notes future,” Fisk says. the reasons for the failure – but a lack the government is working on anti- Fisk says they are working with of capital appears to be the main issue. loan shark legislation, but notes in this Toyota New Zealand and Toyota “Again, early days, but I think it is specific case the law was clear. Financial Services, and have their largely due to a lack of capital in the “You cannot regulate for that sort of support to continue the franchise. business,” says Fisk. business model.” “If we did not have their support we “I think we would not be having the Turners: Document edited would not be able to continue in this support of Toyota if that was the case One aspect heavily debated as part direction.” - it really needs a new owner to run it of the case was the use of Turners Unfortunately, not all staff have profitably.” Auctions’ valuation documents used as

a fresh approach to dealer finance

www.MyFinance.co.nz 0800 385 385

61771 Auto File Banner Print Ad 180x56mm PRESS.indd 1 1/11/13 4:20 PM 8 | www.autotalk.co.nz newstalk

The Subaru WRX also added a dan, Toyota has completed its 5-star safety rating to its spec Corolla trifecta, as well as its The sheet. overall volume vehicle trifecta. AutoTalk's Three specification levels managing editor are available for the sedan looks at the March 10 which mirror the Corolla month gone by on Diary hatch, and Toyota has priced AutoTalk.co.nz Kiwis in global roles all three at the same amount

as the equivalent variant.

dwards E ichard

R for Ford Two kiwis who began their ca- reers with Ford NZ, are filling March 14 key global roles for Ford – Ni- finance for vehicle purchases. gel Harris has been appointed $54 million of March 3 president of Ford India, while used imports to be Kay Hart is managing director March 4 crushed? Good opportunities of Ford Philippines. In his new role, Harris is 2000 used cars from Japan for Fieldays exhibitors Mahindra backs new responsible for managing seized in Kenya — with the NZ National Fieldays Society motorsport series and growing the integrated head of one of three inspec- has announced PGG Wright- The new North Island endur- manufacturing operation of tion agents for the Kenyan son Ltd and Xero Ltd as its ance series announced that Ford India. market predicting they will be premier feature partners for its market newcomer Mahindra crushed. annual event. will be the title sponsor for the March 10 Kenya has a system allow- ANZ rural economist Con inaugural three-round series ing vehicles to be imported if Williams says this year’s event this year. Daily services to Japan they are up to eight years old, promised to provide plenty The sponsorship is the first provided they pass a roadwor- of opportunities for exhibi- for the Mahindra brand locally, first time since 2007 thiness inspection by one of tors with the 2013-14 dairying although the company is a Dealers and wholesalers trav- three inspectorates con- season potentially delivering a major sponsor in NASCAR elling to Japan to buy stock tracted to the Kenya Bureau of record payout. and Moto GP, and has its own will have a choice of more Standards (KEBS). The Fieldays will be held 11 team in the forthcoming For- frequent services, when Air Estimates have put the to 14 June at Mystery Creek mula E series. New Zealand boosts capacity value of the cargo at NZ$54 events centre, Hamilton. on the Japan route by 30% million – but considering March 4 from November. these are used cars the true March 4 value is likely to be less than Renault launches March 10 that. New boss for GM Clio IV locally Holden Renault New Zealand Mitsubishi launches March 17 As widely tipped, General Mo- launched two versions of it’s plug-in Outlander tors announced a new boss latest Clio light car, which it Mitsubishi Motors New Dorchester acquires for Holden – replacing Mike says is a fantastic value propo- Zealand (MMNZ) officially Oxford as expansion Devereux, who is off to a role sition. launched it’s Outlander in the group’s ‘international Its the fourth generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicle continues Finance, insurance, and operations’ division. car to grace our roads since it (PHEV) in New Zealand ahead investment firm Dorchester Interestingly, GM has not was first launched in Europe of Australia, it will be available Pacific has added another hired from within their own in 1991. from local dealerships in April. dealer-industry name to its ranks, going outside to ap- The new Clio range debuts New Zealand buyers portfolio, while expanding its point Gerry Dorizas as chair- Renault’s new energy engine bought more than 30,471 SUV finance book. man and managing director. range in New Zealand with vehicles in 2013 and MMNZ The listed company, which Dorizas has more than two the introduction of two new says that the PHEV will not last year acquired nearly 20% decades of global industry ex- engines – TCe 90 (989cc only attract early technology of Turners Auctions, has an- perience with Mercedes, Fiat, turbocharged three-cylinder) adopters, and those people nounced that it has acquired Toyota, Hyundai and Volkswa- and TCe 120 ( direct injection who are environmentally Levin based Oxford Finance. gen throughout Europe and turbocharged 1.2-Litre four- conscious, it also expects that Asia. cylinder). conventional SUV buyers will be attracted to the Outlander March 18 March 4 March 7 PHEV. The company took 12 Progress on credit customer orders for the car Bank restrictions boost Five stars for Corolla before stock had even arrived reform car finance sector and WRX on the ground. Life is about to get tough Accountancy firm KPMG said The new Toyota Corolla for unscrupulous lenders of the Reserve Bank’s restrictions sedan scored a maximum March 11 motor vehicle and personal on house lending by banks 5 star safety rating in crash finance leaving borrowers and has created unintended con- testing carried out by the Toyota completes families in uncontrolled debt, sequences for people buying Australasian new car assess- Corolla trifecta thanks to proposed changes houses and using mortgage ment programme (ANCAP). With the arrival of the new se- Continued on page 10

www.autotalk.co.nz 9 | newstalk

Continued from page 9 minbi will help to build on the models already in production. both the vehicle associations under the credit contracts and growing trade and investment On a recent trip to Japan, have noted issues with the financial services reform bill. ties between the two coun- AutoTalk learned the technol- commercial implementation The government has also tries, said finance minister Bill ogy was a relatively-rare fit on date – with the IMVIA report- launched an initiative to help English. such vehicles – and those in ing early this week that they members of the Pacific Island “The agreement an- the export trade have some had only now discovered the community to seek redress nounced by the prime concern for the class. implementation dates for the with problem loans. minister in Beijing last night technology on commercials is a significant and welcome in Japan – this year for new March 18 step forward in our economic models. relationship with China,” said March 19 IMVIA chief executive David Benz rules social English. Vinsen says they will be seek- Rebuild shuts down ing to change the tentative media March 19 2020 date for implementation, According to a survey, Mer- used car dealer already released for discussion cedes-Benz is now the most ESC mandated A Christchurch used car deal- by transport minister Michael successful automotive brand er has been dealt a bitter blow Woodhouse. on social media. for Japanese light by the Christchurch rebuild. On Facebook it gained the commercials Brent’s Toyotas will shut March 21 most fans amongst all vehicle There is now increased hope it doors at the end of March brands, with more than 3.2 for the availability of used because of the Canterbury Indian crash test million new users last year. import commercial vehicles Earthquake Recovery Author- With around 22 million from Japan post January 1, ity’s (CERA) land acquisition shows LCV need ESC interactions, Mercedes-Benz 2020. plan that has forced the sale An ANCAP crash test of an In- users were the most active In a report to members, of the land which the business dian light commercial vehicle automotive fans say. the Imported Motor Vehicle sits on. has highlighted the need for Industry Association noted it The Brent’s Toyotas used ESC to be installed in vehicles March 19 has received confirmation that car yard has been operating at such as this. the Japanese government has 101 Moorhouse Avenue since The Tata Xenon, a recent Currency agreement mandated a date for the tech- 1989. Owner Brent Robert- entrant to the Australian market, received a poor 2-star positive nology to be required – from son originally established the February 1 this year for any business on Antigua Street in ANCAP safety rating. An agreement allowing direct new vehicles launched, and 1986. ANCAP says the Tata Xenon trading of the New Zealand from February 1 2017 for any 4×2 dual cab has been limited dollar against China’s ren- March 19 in its safety rating due to the lack of electronic stability Road transport control (ESC). under pressure in Japan March 24 Changes to the tax regime for vehicles in Japan are putting Minister announces pressure on the Japanese customs transport system – with delays appointment being reported in shifting ve- Justice minister Judith Collins What’s IMPORTANT hicles from auction to port. has announced an appoint- At the end of this month, ment to the Customs Appeal TO YOU... consumption tax rises from Authority. 5%to 8%, with new car buyers Wellington barrister, Grant when bringing vehicles from Japan to NZ? rushing to purchase – and Pearson, has been appointed new car distributors rushing to by the minister to the Cus- SHIPMENTS ARRIVING EVERY 2 WEEKS meet demand. toms Appeal Authority for a March 21 term of five years. Mr Pearson PLUS... currently leads the tax team of a large Wellington law firm. • regular twice-monthly service • 20-22 days transit time Trade working He has extensive legal and • pre-shipment photos • MAF clearance together on tribunal experience. • NZTA inspections • odometer certification commercial ESC The authority considers ap- • full cover marine insurance • customs clearance The Motor Industry As- peals against decisions made sociation, Imported Motor by the New Zealand Customs Call Dolphin Shipping Agencies NOW to book your space Vehicle Industry Association Service. and the Motor Trade Associa- Contact tion are working together on March 24 Gerry Claudatos the issue of electronic stability [email protected] control (esc) for light com- Christchurch M 0274 400734 mercial vehicles. P 09 373 5881 While the technology has spending surges been broadly welcomed, ahead www.dolphinshipping.co.nz Continued on page 11

10 | www.autotalk.co.nz newstalk

Continued from page 10 need to be talent visa accredited, or any last week to determine a way forward to Canterbury car dealers will be heartened appointment would be subject to a local reinstate certification on modified Skoda to know that consumer retail spending employment market check to determine Yeti vehicles which were de-registered in the region is ahead of the rest of New whether there are unemployed mechan- last year over compliance concerns. Zealand. ics or mechanics that can be trained into This will be based on European type Growth in Christchurch’s retail and the role. approval testing being completed next hospitality spending surged ahead of that The trade is one of a number being fo- month on two vehicles which have been at the national level in the December cused upon to help push the unemploy- built and sent to France for this purpose. 2013 quarter, says Statistics New Zealand. ment rate below 6%, with the expectation For Christchurch city, after seasonal being that unemployed mechanics and March 26 fluctuations are removed, retail and new trainees can fill the need. hospitality sales increased 3.5% in the IMVIA in AU – AU to come December 2013 quarter. Nationally, sales rose 1.2%. March 26 here Senior representatives of the Imported March 26 Talks underway to reinstate Motor Vehicle Industry Association have vehicle certification been in Australia discussing the import Lotus debut at CRC U Drive Mobility, (UDM) and the New trade – and members of that country’s Speedshow Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) met trade are set to come here.  Following the opening of it’s new Auck- land showroom in Newmarket, British sports car manufacturer Lotus will make its CRC Speedshow debut this July. Lotus Auckland opened late in 2013 following the distribution of Lotus in Australia and New Zealand becoming the responsibility of Neville Crichton, who is the executive chairman of European Au- tomotive Imports, and the Ateco Group. March 26 Loose screw causes Porsche engine recall German sports car manufacturer Porsche is recalling all 785 of its 2014 production 911 GT3 cars for a complete engine re- placement due to potential fire concerns. Two engine fires in GT3 models saw the company advise customers not to drive their new cars because of concerns about the internals of the flat-six 3.8-litre engine. According to Porsche technicians a loosened screw joint on the connecting rod, led to the rod damaging the crank case and causing an oil leak, which then ignited. March 26 Automotive techs off essential skills immigration list Automotive technicians/motor me- chanics for general vehicles have been dropped from Immigration New Zea- land’s immediate skill shortage list, at a time when one expert says the industry is under significant pressure. Automotive Employment NZ manag- ing director Russell Phillips was lobbying officials to avoid the move, which while not making it impossible, makes it far more difficult to hire a specialist techni- cian from overseas – a business would

www.autotalk.co.nz 11 | peopletalk Promoting the plug

he launch of Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV last month means New Zealand now has a plug-in electric Tvehicle – admittedly one carrying a gasoline engine – in a market position that does not price it out of step with other non-electric vehicles of its type. This is music to the ears of Rob McEwen, executive director of the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles, a Taupo-headquartered group created to gener- ate “financial, environmental and social benefits for all New Zealanders through the promotion and commer- cialisation of electric vehicle technology innovation, and through building awareness of the energy efficiency and McEwen is particularly excited about the latest board operating cost advantages of electric vehicles.“ appointment, former BMW NZ managing director Mark Gil- The not-for-profit outfit, is a spin-off of a Japanese as- bert – who brings automotive industry experience, without sociation of the same name – the connection being director having a vested interest. Hideaki Fukutake –the son of Soichiro Fukutake, the chair- McEwen says the association is approaching the promo- man of the Japanese branch. Auckland-based, the family tion of electric vehicles from a number of directions – from own Efu Investment Ltd and director of SIM-Drive Corpora- promoting direct to the public, to working at a government tion, which are involved in the production of batteries and level. electric drive technologies. The family brought the concept “For instance, coming up on May 8 we’ve organized a – and start-up funding - to McEwen, operator of Taupo’s forum in Wellington and both the minister of transport Jerry Clean Energy Centre. Brownlee and the minister of energy, Simon Bridges will Also on the board are Duncan Stewart, founder and be participating - we believe that it’s probably the first time director of The Greenhouse and campaign manager for Pure that high ranking ministers representing the energy and Advantage, former Motor Trade Association chief executive transport sectors along with may- Stephen Matthews and Brendan Winitana, chairman of the ors, high-level representatives from Sustainable Electricity Association New Zealand. the electricity industry and from the automotive industry will have ever sat down together,” McEwen says. “They are the key stakeholders in electric vehicles in New Zealand. “We will be discussing what can be done to stimulate uptake of EV’s in New Zealand between now and 2020,” he explains. Rob McEwen McEwen says New Zealand has more to gain from elec- tric vehicles than just the advantages of putting them on the road. “I’ve seen numbers indicating that as much as 50% of the global fleet could be electrified by 2050,” he says. “That is indicating a growth from around 300,000 electric vehicles on global roads today, to 80 million by 2040. “That’s what I call a growth hockey stick and in that growth hockey stick there are opportunities for innovation in New Zealand. So those would be in the areas of power, electronics and other componentry, in the area of niche vehicles, in the areas of agricultural and horticultural and lifestyle block related vehicles.” McEwen notes New Zealand already has had technologi- cal wins in the electric car area – noting Auckland Univer- sity’s development of wireless charging. “We have already proven that we can develop world leading products in this space.“ A stumbling block to that has been a difficulty for uni- versities in attracting science, engineering and technology students. It has been working with Christchurch students on Continued on page 13

12 | www.autotalk.co.nz peopletalk

Continued from page 12 “There is an opportunity in New be, both on Transpower at the national projects focused on vehicles. Zealand for a similar public/private grid level, and on local electricity lines “We have found that wherever we partnership’s,” he says. networks and essentially they came to go and talk to people about electric Can New Zealand’s infrastructure the conclusion that the impact on the vehicles, especially youths, they get handle a large fleet of electric vehicles? national grid was negligible and easily excited, they get lit up, they inherently McEwen says yes. handled,” he says. know that this is the future, or this is a He says the Centre for Advanced “And at the local level, if you’ve big part of the future of transport,” he Engineering at the University of Can- got say 10 or 20 EV’s all plugging in says. terbury studied possible uptake, and at the same time in one neighbour- “I think the typical youth, doesn’t provided projections of an uptake of hood at peak electricity demand time, want to do things the same way that between 200,000 and 390,000 EVs on again, that sort of thing is manageable their parents did - they realize the New Zealand’s roads by 2025. through rate plans that can be distrib- impact of transport on the environ- “They took those two scenarios and uted through the power companies at ment and they want to do things they looked at what the impact would the point of electric vehicle sale.”  differently in the future.” McEwen has identified 21 electric vehicle-related projects around New Zealand tertiary institutes, and will be running a ‘Dragon’s Den-style’ competi- tion as part of a broader electric vehicle event later this year. Investment will be up for grabs. As for today’s technology, McEwen says vehicle distribu- tors are doing well at bringing technology to market. “I think they have done a pretty good job - we’ve had the Nissan Leaf here for a couple of years, we’ve got Holden with the Volt, and Mitsubishi with the Morning Sepang Morning Port Calls Liberty V4 iMIEV and now the Outlander, Miracle V8 Express V 13 Miracle V9 and the BMW I range coming,”he Osaka 03 Apr 16 Apr 02 May 16 May says. “There are a couple of Tesla roadsters here – and a whole lot Nagoya 04 Apr 17 Apr 03 May 18 May more Teslas on the way. Yokohama 05 Apr 18 Apr 05 May 19 May “The big challenge in New Zealand has been the price of Auckland 21 Apr 06 May 20 May 06 Jun the vehicles and until that ob- Wellington 27 Apr 13 May 26 May 12 Jun stacle is overcome, the growth Lyttelton 30 Apr 09 May 30 May 09 Jun and uptake is going to be very limited,” he notes. “Having said that, I recently met with David Armacup has now introduced a Vinsen of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association, direct monthly call to Lyttelton and discussed the high growth in hybrid electric vehicles in providing a fast 21 day transit from Japan, and basically saying that they could see a huge last port call in Japan. growth curve for the number of used hybrid cars entering our market.” McEwen says they are looking at private/public partnerships to www.armacup.com expand charging networks, taking cues from the United Kingdom, where several electric vehicle markers have partnered with government bodies and councils to roll out charging stations.

www.autotalk.co.nz 13 | peopletalk Our electrifying future By guest columnist Graeme Macdonald he impending onslaught of hybrid, PHEV and EV vehicles on the New Zealand mar- Tket could be compared to the recent media hype over the arrival of Cyclone Lusi - everyone knew it was coming, but few had the slightest clue about what it meant, or what to do about it. Yet, if there is one certainty the trade, and especially the used import side, must face in the very near future, it is getting our heads around the market for hybrid vehicles. The absolute domination by hybrid-based cars - increasingly multi-seater - and SUVs sold new in Japan these past 12 months leaves little room to speculate - the Japanese consumer has developed an insatiable appetite for EV and as- sisted propulsion systems, whether hybrid based (Toyota Prius, Aqua, Estima, Alphard, Sai etc), PHEV (plug-in hybrids, Mitsubishi Outlander, Prius PHEV etc) occurred to the writer that forced a change of perspective. or pure electric (Nissan Leaf). Last year, I traded a 2008 Prius Gen-3, NZ-new and com- And this means in five or six years time, our used plete with Organic Living Magazine sticker on the bumper. import shopping lists are also likely to be dominated by Not only did I hate it with passion, I found it difficult to find EV-based choices. a buyer for it, too. So, in a day of dark desperation, needing It’s not hard to see why, either. a later-model driver for a week or so, I gritted teeth, hopped Previously a vocal skeptic of the hybrid bandwagon, in, and away I hummed. content to throw rocks at the perceived sandal-wearing, I confess now - and this is completely out of character - I whale-saving bearded university lecturer image, two events grew to like it. Not only was it brutally economical to run, but I enjoyed the smooth and comparatively quiet drive, ease of use and even caught myself checking the on-board Dealer Information Notice readouts to see if I’d improved my economy with better us- Dealer Information Notice age techniques. Horrors! MTA MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION The second event was the use of a Holden Volt for a Cost Interests week. National Subscription of motor vehicle dealers a priority Hop, in, figure out the complexities of the electric park $700 Excl GST & Branch fee Yes No brake and drive system sequence, and the Volt delivered a driving experience quite unlike anything I’d ever sampled. Brand Year Capacity Not least the whisper-quiet drive, (making road and tyre Strong & nationally recognised Since 1917 4000 members noise a greater annoyance), the excellent seating position, MTA is NZ’s largest dealer representative group: Franchise array of controls plus the feeling you were driving a car off dealers, used dealers, motorcycle dealers, and truck dealers the set of Bladeruuner, this thing performed seriously. Market analysis - regular, I could happily live with one of these - it was that seri- Mediation Yes No accurate and detailed ously good. There were a few minor niggles - carrying around a charge pack and asking friends if I could “borrow Advocacy - pushing the causes HR Advice Yes No  for your industry their electricity” raised a few eyebrows – but nothing major. Benefits - save money with With all this goodness, you’d wonder why half the popu- MTA stationery Yes No  key business partners lation hasn’t already converted. And herein lies one of the issues the whole EV mar- IT Advice Business Range of Need a mentor ket will struggle with - price. Released at a whopping Yes No Yes No  Managers newsletters $85,000 here in NZ, it was pretty clear from the outset Industry Specialist training Business Advice that Holden would sell few outside the true believers and research Yes No Yes No cashed-up early adopters. FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT MTA Even with a resigned nod to the absolute sales flop so far Website Events / get Free phone by dropping to a mere $75,000, it would appear you would www.mta.org.nz togethers Yes No need only a finger or two more than one hand to count the number that have found actual non-dealership buyers in NZ CONTACT US so far. Tony Everett 04 381 8827 Which, given how good the Volt is, seems a little sad, Continued on page 15

14 | www.autotalk.co.nz peopletalk

Continued from page 14 since I suspect far worse cars are being sold in greater num- bers, for far more, simply on the basis of marketing seduc- tion. Yet the new retail price here in NZ is not necessarily the issue. The new Outlander PHEV, by all accounts a decent bit of gear, has come in under $60,000 which makes it an equal proposition to other mid to higher-end SUVs on the market. A new Prius C, at $31,280 plus ORC list, is several thousand LESS than the cheapest new Corolla. Here lies the first of two not inconsiderable hurdles to overcome for EVs to gain market acceptance. In Japan, favourable government incentives to purchase hybrid powertrain vehicles have in part fuelled the demand - but even without these, Japanese consumers would, I sus- Matthew Newman, pect, likely favour them over their Chief Executive, South conventional petrol brethren. Auckland Motors (Ford&Mazda) and This in turn has created a huge Steve Owens, CEO second-hand market that simply Provident Insurance cannot get enough EV-based Toyota product to satisfy demand. A good example of this while in Japan last week, a friend, having “Earned our loyalty. purchased his 2011 Prius new for just on Y1,900,000 and travelled 135,000km, put it through auction, And our business.” where it proceeded to fetch an as- Graeme Macdonald tonishing Y1,300,000. That’s right “Why did I switch to Provident? I know - $7000 total depreciation over three years and 135,000km of hard motoring- almost unheard of for a regular everyday that Provident are full of integrity with car- and more so, a standard pricing expectation on the Steve Owens at the helm. Japanese market. In a nutshell, at this time, Kiwi importers are being thor- It’s not just about the dollars. Steve’s word is his oughly out-gunned in the pricing stakes by their Japanese bond. He’ll go the extra mile for the dealer client dealer counterparts - a trend evident from the onset of the and the customer. Nippon hybrid marketplace and one that appears likely to His support goes above and beyond which is why continue. they’ve earned our loyalty. So the very real concern for our market is the dominance of EVs on the sales charts, resulting in a shortage of con- Steve’s F&I training set the bench mark for the industry, and we welcome this level of training ventional stock for purchase come 2017-2018. In turn, the which ultimately benefits the business. volume EV’s may be priced out of reach for New Zealand consumers. In this business, when you’re talking finance, it’s as That is, if they’ll buy them in the first place. competitive as it’s ever been. Your customer will Our second hurdle is acceptance by Kiwi buyers - will often have an established relationship with another they walk in to dealerships in 2018 and be as comfortable supplier. The ‘trusted financial advisor’ relationship selecting a used import Aqua as they would a Demio? is a strong feature of what Steve’s F&I training With the exception of our city taxi fleets, the answer so brings to the table. The interpersonal skills are key, far would seem to be ‘no’. And in a chicken-or-egg sce- and part of the training.” nario, it’s hard to say if the issue is consumers shunning the – MATTHEW NEWMAN, Dealer Principal/Chief Executive, product, and in turn dealers sensing market oblivion, or the South Auckland Motors (Ford and Mazda) suspicious approach by dealers to the product in turn being picked up by would-be buyers? Either way, there’s yet to be seen any real market pen- etration by EVs into the used import volume statistics. Aside from a handful of Prius sedans, we’ve seen the quick appear- ance of the Nissan Leaf here (panned in Japan by consum- ers, the limited EV-only range a real handicap compared to the hybrid powertrains on offer elsewhere) and little else. Then there’s the almost-now urban myth of battery replacement costs. There may have been some initial issues, To find out more visit www.providentinsurance.co.nz but now not only battery life exponentially greater, but the MotorCover is marketed exclusively by Provident Insurance Authorised Dealers. Continued on page 20

www.autotalk.co.nz 15 | industrytalk

By David Crawford, CEO of the Crawford’s case Motor Industry Association of NZ (Inc). Let the election talk begin

ransport is rarely a key election fleets in the OECD. The MIA proposes propriate age related ATVs. platform. that: In addition to the manufacturer’s T Left-leaning political parties • The government amends its advice on the use of these vehicles, the tend to see transport as a major market standards-based approach to in- MIA believes the following new meas- failure requiring stronger government corporate a rolling age restriction, ures are necessary to improve safer use intervention. where the vehicle must meet the of ATVs and SSVs: Provision of infrastructure to sup- required standards and the maxi- • ATVs and SSVs entering New port public transport and rail freight mum permitted age. Vehicles that Zealand must meet minimum forms the key components of their meet the standard but are older standards. transport policies, along with demand- than the maximum permissible • ATVs and SSVs be registered and ing improvements to the fuel efficiency age cannot be imported. have a pre-delivery inspection of fleets. • The maximum age at which a completed prior to them being Right-leaning parties tend to con- vehicle can be imported is 8 years sold for the first time centrate on minimum safety standards from the date of manufacture, or • Consideration be given to intro- and provision of transport infrastruc- if this date is not readily identifi- ducing a regular safety assess- ture to increase economic productivity able the date of first registration ment, similar to a WoF, for ATVs and wellbeing, preferring to rely on anywhere in the world. and SSVs that are not registered for individuals to make their own environ- on-road use. mental/sustainability choices. Uptake of safety assist technology for The Motor Industry Association on-road motorcycles Heavy vehicles wants to see the new government - Motorcycling offers an affordable, Heavy vehicles are a major contrib- whatever it’s politics address a number accessible, and sustainable mode of utor to economic growth and pro- of shortfalls in the current policy mix. transport, the benefits of which are of- ductivity. A recent review by the NZTA ten overlooked in transport policy and of how it implements the new RUC Safe and sustainable fleet urban planning. provisions runs the risk of impeding The MIA supports initiatives that The MIA proposes that: this productivity. The rules surround- permit vehicle manufacturers to bring • The government give greater ing high productivity vehicles requires new technologies to the market that recognition to the benefits of mo- further development. reduce average fuel consumption and torcycling in transport policy and The MIA proposes that: improve the safety of vehicles. infrastructure planning • Setting of RUCs for new models In particular the MIA: • Government supports the contin- entering the fleet allow a GVM • Supports the mandatory require- ued development, introduction, rating set at the point of manufac- ments for ESC to be fitted to all and promotion of better technol- ture that determines the maximum light vehicles ogy for safer motorcycles, and loading the axle is rated for, in • A review of ‘fuel excise duty’ and • All road controlling authorities (na- combination with an application ‘road user charges (RUC)’ to re- tional and local government) pay rating set by the distributor that move impediments to increasing particular attention to the needs cannot subsequently be changed the uptake of fuel-efficient vehicles of motorcyclists in road design, unless it is altered through the • The removal of barriers to the up- construction, repairs, and mainte- LT400 process. take of safety assist technologies nance. • The ‘vehicle dimension and mass’ by ensuring there is an adequate rule be amended to update and regulatory environment to set Safe use of ATVs and SSVs standardise the approval process minimum standards and to ensure The MIA has long advocated a num- for trucks.  the government provides a general ber of key polices on the safe use of road user licence for the follow- all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and side-by- ing radio frequency bands, such side utility vehicles (SSVs). These ad- Keep up with heavy transport as the 5.9 GHz, needed by no later dress training requirements, advice on and equipment news than 2015 and the 77-81 GHz band using the right tool for the right job on needed by July 1, 2018 or sooner. farms, wearing of suitable protective gear such as helmets, maintenance Fleet renewal programmes and ensuring children do www.dieseltalk.co.nz New Zealand has one of the oldest not ride adult size ATVs but rather ap-

16 | www.autotalk.co.nz industrytalk

The monthly report from IMVIA chief David Vinsen Vinsen‘s View

Proudly sponsored by Jevic and VINZ Looking backwards, looking forwards…and looking sideways

ew Zealand has been importing compliance, and then retailed them. Dealers Association. used vehicles in commercial Over the past 25 years a whole It has now morphed into the Nvolumes since 1988, and after industry has developed to support IMVIA, the Imported Motor Vehicle 25years it’s an appropriate time to the importation of used vehicles, with Industry Association. From being a reflect on the effects of these imports: specialist service providers offering ‘trade union for dealers’, the IMVIA on the national fleet, on the vehicle completely integrated end-to-end is now a business association that industry and for consumers. logistics services. provides specialist technical advice It’s also a good time to look ahead Instead of every man and his dog and represents and advocates for the and make some predictions about having to do everything themselves, entire industry. how the industry, and fleet, is likely all a dealer has to do is choose the The IMVIA is now largely funded to change. stock, price it up and press the but- by contributions from sponsors and And while we’re at it, we may as ton or instruct the agent. The service corporate service providers to the well look sideways, across the Tasman, providers then do everything else - at industry, and it is fair to say that every to see what the Aussies are going to really competitive prices - all of the used vehicle imported into New Zea- be doing about their vehicles, now that inefficiencies have been squeezed out land, whether by the trade or privately, all new vehicle manufacturers have of the process. contributes to the IMVIA, directly or announced their intentions to cease The average New Zealand retail indirectly. production in Australia. purchaser benefits from having such Over the years the association’s an efficient, competitive market, role has been deliberately focused on Looking backwards... and the national fleet benefits from ‘keeping the door open for used im- Well over half the vehicles in our having the latest technology vehicles ports’, and in order to do this we have fleet started their life in New Zealand introduced as quickly as practicable, concentrated on only those issues that as used imports; there are two genera- and as quickly as people can afford. affect the industry directly. We do not tions of young car drivers and pur- The country gets the advantage of deal with, or promote ourselves to the chasers who know nothing other than these new technology vehicles, with public, but have put our energies into having a huge choice at competitive advances in safety, fuel economy and developing excellent relationships with prices… and they’re not at all interested the environment. various regulatory bodies and govern- in the source of the car they’re buying. As the industry has changed and ment ministers and officials. The “NZ-new versus Japanese matured, so has the IMVIA, the associa- This has paid off, as we are now in import” distinction has largely faded tion that represents that industry. The a position to work actively and col- away. Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealers Import laboratively with officials in the de- The vehicle import industry has Association (LMVDIA) was born out of velopment of new legislation, rather changed and developed over this two separate groups of importers in than always being on the back foot, time. It started with a completely Christchurch and Auckland who had opposing new rules and regulations fragmented, unorganised group of taken Court cases against Government after the event. The development of individual entrepreneurs who identified departments. the proposed rule for ESC is a classic the opportunities and then did every- The association has had a number example of this strategy. thing themselves: travelled to Japan, of transformations, each one to reflect found agents, went to auctions, bought the circumstances of the day. It be- Looking forward… vehicles, arranged for their processing came the IMVDA, firstly the Imported We are predicting that the industry and local transport, organised foreign Motor Vehicle Dealers Association and will have a period of sustained good exchange, booked freight, arranged then the Independent Motor Vehicle Continued on page 20

See us first for... Specialists in JEVIC Authorised NZ TA Borde Pre Shipment Inspectio r n Inspecons Agency 0800 GO VINZ

www.autotalk.co.nz 17 | dealertalk Improve your Data IQ in 10 easy steps

t AutoPlay our whole exis- need to be fixed at source – third party sites cannot tence revolves around the process anything if they are not sent it. Adigital world. For us it’s built 6. Understand the difference between free text fields into our DNA, it’s who we are and and category fields – particularly with third party it’s the world we live in. Sometimes channels involved. Generally the ‘variant’ would be it’s easy to forget that for the aver- considered a free text field where you can type what- age car dealership, digital is often ever you like. On the flip side the ‘make’ or ‘model’ only a small part of day-to-day life. is generally clearly defined from a drop down box. Where we spend all day talking If your loading tool allows you to free type models by Matt Darby about data processes and online then you will need to be very aware that mis-spell- marketing channels and techniques, ings or uncommon model names might result in a dealership might only spend 20 minutes thinking about either incorrect or incomplete listings digital. 7. If something does go wrong make sure you know However it is still imperative that dealerships understand the best person to talk to, and provide as much their data process and build their Data IQ. Data manage- information as possible – the more info provided the ment procedures in a dealership refers to the systems, quicker the fault can be diagnosed and resolved. processes and flows involved around getting your vehicle 8. Be very careful when changing your data process. listings advertised on your own website and on third party Most teething problems occur when changing data sites. providers. When changing data providers always It’s the journey your vehicle listings take from being ensure data is correct for display at source (either the loaded into stock to being listed on sites like TradeMe. VMS or loading tool) before exporting. Once good data is overwritten with bad data sent incorrectly, Here are several ways you can increase your data IQ only some systems will be able to retrieve old listings. 10 guidelines to improving your Data IQ 9. It’s important that more than one person has data 1. There is no reason to double handle data – Auto- knowledge. Too many times employees will move on Play can accept partial imports and allow dealers to and only partially pass on their collected wisdom and modify listings in another system. understanding of dealership data procedures. 2. Understand how your VMS works! VMS programmes 10. Draw a flow chart. If you are having trouble under- can be complicated beasts but you cannot know if standing how your data flows then drawing a flow your process is efficient if you do not understand chart will help a great deal. Many people think visu- what your system is capable of. ally and seeing it laid out on paper can really help 3. Understand your export procedure. Are exports au- simplify the process. tomatic or manually triggered? What time and how Data management is not the most glamorous aspect of often will the exports run? selling cars, but understanding how it works is critical to 4. Find out about processing times for imports at your your success. third party channels. Sending a file does not mean Not understanding your own processes and systems is it will process immediately. Often listings will sit in a asking for trouble. pool waiting for the next scheduled update. Many VMS systems and loading tools have people and 5. Learn the required fields that need to be completed procedures in place to limit data damage, but taking respon- to display listings. At AutoPlay we deal with com- sibility for understanding your own data procedures will panies that require more than three photos for the reap rewards in the form of less confusion, more accurate listing to display, whilst TradeMe require year, make, data and faster resolution of faults. model, stock number, price, body type, transmission • Matt Darby works for AutoPlay which specialises in and photos. If data is not sent or is incorrect it will helping dealerships streamline their data processes. 

18 | www.autotalk.co.nz dealertalk Connecting online customers to vehicles

here is one aspect of retail automotive digital of dealers predicted marketing where New Zealand practice lags colour came first. So the primary takeout from this Tconsiderably behind the USA and that is in result is to ensure visitors to your website can easily the field of listing NEW vehicles with full vehicle search, sort and filter inventory based on colour. detail pages (VDP’s) which in turn has been ac- Looks matter cessed via a unique vehicle search results page Stock photographs left an impression that all (VSR). vehicles looked the same. This outcome is ap- With the increasing numbers of new vehi- plicable to new vehicle listings as used vehicle cles being sold at retail in this booming NZ listings are normally all individualised. From this new vehicle market, I anticipate it will only by Peter Aitken study Cobalt found that 70% of shoppers did not be a matter of time before savvy early-adopter click through from a VSR to a VDP on a vehicle digital marketers in our market copy this established USA listing which had a stock photo - they dislike connecting to internet practice. canned imagery. It is all too easy for a dealer to assume online shoppers Shoppers read detail can find all the information about a new vehicle make and One of the most surprising findings to emerge from the model from a new vehicle distributor website. The reality is, study was that shoppers actually read the vehicle descrip- however, any new vehicle online shopper seeks exactly the tion on the vehicle details page. Online shoppers want to same detailed photographs, description and price as if they find out as much as they can about the vehicle; however, were shopping for a near-new or ex-demo model. they become confused if a dealer includes information Cobalt is arguably the largest provider of automotive about the dealership within the vehicle descriptions. marketing services to franchised dealers within the US. Their Customers want that space devoted to telling them why ‘2014 Inventory Shopping Experience Study’ has just been this vehicle sets itself apart from others like it. released and it is appropriate to share their summary find- Shoppers views on model names ings with you to provide an insight into what is top of mind Very few customers know the model names of the for an online shopper, compared to what is top of mind for vehicles they are interested in. They may know they want dealers in their study. an SUV but only a few knew which model names were SUV Cobalt likens the behaviour of online shoppers brows- and none knew the appropriate trim level. 48% of dealers in ing vehicle inventory to the same way singles tour an the study thought customers did know the model name. online dating service. Too much quest for information on the VSR page Every vehicle has a personal profile, or a vehicle details Most of the customers in the survey did not wish to be page (VDP) just the same way an online dating site has de- bombarded by options to get a price quote or complete a tails of the individual’s profile which competes for attention finance application on the VSR page as none were ready to alongside other personal profiles. contact a dealer from this page. In many respects this is very similar to an online shopper Therefore don’t attempt to sell vehicles from the VSR who searches a vehicle - with vehicles grouped according page as its job is to narrow down their search to a few to model, trim or features - on a vehicle search results page vehicles. (VSR). How to make that vehicle the one and only The studies key findings were: Each individual VDP has to have a singular focus and Colour some spark that sets it apart from the competition, be it Every single participant in the study made colour their great photographs and descriptions but devoid of unneces- top priority. They wanted to see colour in the research sary graphics, icons and buttons as distractions can clutter results listings and they also wanted to search and filter by the page and take the shoppers attention away from the colour. It was the key vehicle feature customers looked for vehicle. FIRST when browsing inventory. To find this survey visit www.cobalt.com When dealers were asked what they thought customers Trust you all had a bumper month to end this excellent looked for first, 63% thought that PRICE came first. Only 26% first quarter of 2014.

www.autotalk.co.nz 19 | peopletalk Looking backwards, looking forwards…and looking sideways

Continued from page 17 vehicles; the minister of transport, Gerry Brownlee, has volumes of used vehicle imports, with no legislative inter- convened a seminar in May to discuss the possibilities and ventions to unduly disrupt business. challenges for electric vehicles. The ESC rule has been drafted to be implemented pro- gressively, with the industry having plenty of notice so that And looking sideways, towards Australia... we can plan for the various phases. The volume of imports Since GM announced the impending closure of their will be entirely dependent on the strength of the economy. Holden manufacturing plants, followed by similar an- There are two new trends that we have observed when nouncements from Ford and Toyota, the IMVIA has been in- researching likely stock availability and choice in Japan volved in discussions with Australian motor industry groups over the next few years - electric vehicles and disability and government officials. vehicles. We have been consulted by their government-appointed Every manufacturer at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show Productivity Commission, which has made recommenda- was offering electric vehicles, whether hybrid or plug-in, tions to the government about deregulation of their import and most had some sort of disability vehicle - wider doors, industry, and by State and Federal government officials wheelchair access, etc - to cater for the increasing number about likely changes. of baby boomers likely to need such vehicles. They are very keen to learn about the NZ experi- New Zealand’s fleet is a natural and logical extension of ence with imported used vehicles. We will be visited this the Japanese domestic fleet, and the vehicles that are being month by a delegation of Australian motor industry peo- sold new in Japan now will be the vehicles we choose from ple who are keen to see how things are done here, and to to import in due course. talk about the likely changes for their businesses. It is our prediction that there will be far more electric We are aware of the possibility that the opening up of vehicles, and proportionately fewer petrol vehicles avail- Australian used vehicle import market may increase compe- able in the medium term. tition for purchasing used stock, but our predictions are that New Zealand officials are aware of the trend to electric it will be some time before things change, and that the initial opportunities for Australia will be in higher-end stock, not mainstream vehicles from Japan. We know that there will also be considerable opportuni- ties for service providers to increase business by servicing the Australian market, and that experienced Kiwi importers may be able to partner with Australian counterparts who want to get into volume importing. If you can’t beat them, join them…Kiwis have the experi- ence, and we may as well be looking at the opportunities that a trans-Tasman market offers. Next month: the New Zealand fleet… 

Our electrifying future

Continued from page 15 network of replacement and recharge companies giving the informed consumer few reasons to baulk. And you have to admit, up till now, the typical image of the Prius owner hasn’t exactly endeared itself to the average Kiwi - it’s not the sort of car you’d throw the keys on to the bar with your mates watching.

Mainstream Insurance is a business division of DPL Insurance Limited, a licenced insurer. Could all this be about to change though? Relatively stable fuel prices (albeit at over $2.00 a litre for some time now) aren’t enough- yet - to propel Kiwis to adopt hyper-mileage cars, nor into the waiting arms of www.mainstreaminsurance.co.nz Graeme has more to say – to read the full story visit: insurance 0800 674 678 http://autotalk.co.nz/news/plugged-in-electrifying- future 

20 | www.autotalk.co.nz employmenttalk

to the table for the ben- direct comments relating eficiary job seeker. Those to candidates viewing the 2014 – The employers unwilling to listen vacancies as career step- or unaccepting that times ping stones don’t exactly have changed are missing inspire confidence the hire the talent. will be long term. year of skill Recently I read a news The recruiter has to dig article referring to the short- deep to find the talent. age of senior staff contribut- Candidates that have both ing to the sale of a business, the experience and desire evidence these shortages for long term employment shortages? have risen to the highest tenure in the actual role levels is gathering. It is not they applied for are tough that there are no applicants work to find but with hard or nearly 4 years now 23 years I have provided at senior management level; work we get there. Digging Automotive Employ- motor industry recruitment ment NZ has warned services. Get ready! F Russell Phillips is New Zealand’s of pending skills shortages. As the reality hits home most experienced automotive Those who saw us forecast- for employers the impact recruiter, and has operated a ing this while many were is manifesting itself differ- specialist recruitment company still fighting for survival ently than previously seen. since 1991. He reports for during the GFC must have Job seekers are sensing the AutoTalk on the employment thought we were mad. change; they would have to market monthly. Now these shortages be blind not to notice the www.automotiveemployment.co.nz are self-evident It should job boards have such a rich be no surprise the drive selection of pickings. Many for top talent is bringing are so aware of the changes new meaning to the law of to the labour market they supply and demand when are becoming discerning it comes to salary negotia- connoisseurs and know how often 70 or more applicants deep in 2014 for recruitment tions. to identify the better jobs. apply for these roles. It is the companies such as ours When we think of short- When it comes time for comments that are made has taken on a whole new ages in the motor industry the job offer, as a recruiter during interviews that show meaning. employers tend to look to we can no longer take for the shift from an employer Building streams of new their aftersales operations, granted the job offer will be lead market to a candidate talent means attendance of and while it is true many accepted. Three quarters lead market. International recruitment employers are being hit hard of the job offers made last As an example there fairs with staggering price by a shortage of technical month had counter offers were numerous Sales Man- tags, engaging network- skill, in the background an made by the job seeker’s ex- agers vacancies last month. ing sites that identify talent even greater threat lurks - a isting employer. While we Virtually all the candidates and mining talent from our shortage of skills across won many of the battles, the worthy of consideration pre-existing data bases. Re- the board in virtually every recruiter has to prepare in were so confident they search is now a full time job business unit. The extent of advance educating the hir- would secure the role their within our recruitment sup- skills shortages and labour ing manager to the process. focus turned to questions port team. 2014 is a game market outlook for next The negotiations to secure about how long it would changer; the complexity of 2 years is a phenomenon talent are intense often take to be promoted. While talent attraction has never virtually unparalleled in the bringing more than money ambition has to be admired been more demanding. 

Motor Industry for his former involvement Industry changes as Audi general manager for European Motor Distributors was recently appointed ougal Morrison, advocacy and director, Asia and Oceania for Infiniti Motor training General manager, Motor Company Limited. Prior to his appoint- Dtrade association is moving on ment at Infiniti Dane was commercial from the MTA joining VTNZ as project motor sport manager for automobil lam- manager. Automotive Employment NZ borghini S.P.A Dane Fisher notes Dougal was a big contributor to Michael Esson was appointed used ve-

many legislative changes and lobbying Dougal Morrison hicle manager at Davie Holden, an AHG owned business. that assisted industry and will be missed. Mike moves to NZ from Stratstone Jaguar where he held Dane Fisher who is well known to the New Zealand roles of sales manager and dealer principal. 

www.autotalk.co.nz 21 | launchedtalk New Nissan

customers in Nissan dealerships across New Zealand. X-Trail now The X-Trail is now a global car and Nissan New Zea- land says it has brought in the best possible specifica- tions and grades to meet local market needs. There is an ST 2WD 7-seat option, ST 4WD 5-seat option, ST-L 4WD 5-seat and Ti 4WD 5-seat. Along with the stand- available ard features found on ST, the ST-L adds leather-appointed seating, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate on’t be fooled by the curvaceous styling say Nissan control, privacy glass, 8-way power driver’s seat, power executives, the new X-Trail has greater dimensions driver’s seat lumbar support, 7.0-inch QVGA colour touch- Dthan the previous squared-off model, and its dealers screen display, satellite navigation and roof rails. have already snapped up all of the initial ship- The top of the line Ti models include ment from the factory. 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, rain-sensing According to Nissan one in three new cars wipers, power tilt and slide sunroof, automatic sold in New Zealand is an SUV and the mar- power tail gate, and additional safety features ket has grown three-fold in the years since such as lane departure warning (LDW), blind the first generation T30 series X-Trail was spot warning (BSW), and moving object detec- launched in 2001. tion (MOD). According to Nissan New Zealand managing Every 2014 Nissan X-Trail is equipped with director John Manley, the medium SUV seg- a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine rated at 126kw of ment in which X-Trail competes grew 38% in and 226Nm of torque. The engine is matched 2013, reflecting the consumers move from other with an Xtronic CVT (continuously variable vehicles to this sector. transmission) with manual mode. With a 40% Officially on sale from April 4, there are four John Manley reduction (versus previous generation) in fric- of the new T33 series X-Trail model variants now waiting for tion loss, along with an improved belt and pulley system, reduced oil churning friction, compact oil pump, new elec- tronic control, wider gear ratio and other enhancements, the new CVT is approximately 10% more efficient than the previous-generation CVT. Fuel economy is rated at 8.1L/100km combined for front-wheel drive CVT-equipped models. X-Trail AWD models are rated at 8.3L/100km combined. The X-Trail features 4-wheel independent suspension, electric power-assisted steering, 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system and vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with traction control system (TCS) and hill start assist. It also features Nissan’s new suite of dynamic technolo- gies with active trace control, active engine braking and active ride control. The active trace control system utilises Looking for Quality Stock? X-Trail’s standard vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system to help improve cornering feel by automatically applying the WE'VE GOT IT COVERED brakes or smoothing engine torque characteristics while accelerating. ✓ Quality Stock Japan and in New Zealand With active engine braking, the CVT helps slow the ✓ Fresh imports arriving weekly basis X-Trail as the driver brakes, resulting in less brake effort by ✓ Live Auction Access choose from unlimited Stock the driver. Active ride control helps smooth out the drive ✓ Professional New Zealand based Buying Team by automatically applying the brakes and adjusting engine torque after the vehicle hits a bump, reducing the typical over 20 years of Experience “head bobble” pitch. ✓ Logistic Support/ complete Stock information with The ST and ST-L models are equipped with 17-inch alloy images, sell before it Lands. wheels and 225/65R17 all-season tyres. Also available are ✓ Thousands of happy dealers worldwide 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/60R18 all-season tyres on Ti models. Contact: Duane Tipene on 022 639 1588 The X-Trail is priced from $39,990 for the ST 2WD Ph: 09 215 7487 or 0508 AUTOFIELD Fax: 09 215 7612 seven seat model up to $53,290 for the flagship Ti 4WD www.autofield.co.nz Email: [email protected] model. The other two 4WD models, the ST and the ST-L have an RRP of $42,490 and $47,290 respectively. 

22 | www.autotalk.co.nz statstalk USED VEHICLES

Another cracker USEDUsed IMPOimportsRTS broughtBROUGHT to you TO by: month for imports YOU BY:

sed import registrations had another impressive Dealer views: month in March – with passenger registrations up by Masterton-based dealer Lawson Hoggard from Auto Im- U27.8%. ports and Wholesale Limited says March was a good month The market for passenger cars totalled 12,261 units, for sales - he retailed more than 30 units. up from 9594 this time last year. Toyota was top on 2441, Hoggard says the last six months of the financial year followed by Nissan on 1842 and Mazda on 1765. have been strong and were better than the previous six Commercials were also up, by 32.7% to 617 from 465 a months, as well as the previous six months from the same year ago. Toyota also lead the sector on 302, ahead of Nis- period the year before. san on 142 units. “We’ve been tracking well since October, but April has Used import passenger sales are up 32% so far this started slowly.” year to 28,872 vehicles. He comments that the market is still not where it used to In terms of the leading used import passenger model, Ni- be, but that locally people are starting to spend money on ssan Tiida regained top spot with sales of 557 units, ahead either fixing their vehicles or replacing them. of Suzuki Swift on 521 units, which just pipped the Mazda Hoggard also notes that some of the new vehicle fran- Demio on 520 units. chise dealers in Masterton are going very well indeed “Coming at what is still the end of the financial year for Cooper Cars director Mike Mapperson says that March many businesses, March was always likely to be a good sales were not as good as the preceding two months - month for sales,” Motor Trade Association spokesperson Ian customers did not buy as strongly as they did in February Stronach notes. or January. “It is usually only bettered by June, so if sales growth is However Mapperson says the month was still profitable maintained at this level, it looks like another very good year Continued on page 25 of growth, not just for the vehicle sales industry, but for the economy in general.” USED IMPORT COMMERCIAL MAKES % Market USED IMPORT COMMERCIAL MODELS MAKE MAR'14 MAR'13 Movement Change Share MAKE MODEL MAR'14 MAKE MODEL MAR'13 TOYOTA 302 229 31.9 11.5 TOYOTA HIACE 235 TOYOTA HIACE 173 NISSAN 142 98 44.9 5.4 NISSAN CARAVAN 66 NISSAN CARAVAN 42 ISUZU 38 17  Up 2 123.5 1.4 NISSAN VANETTE 47 NISSAN VANETTE 33 MAZDA 25 20 25.0 1.0 TOYOTA REGIUS 25 TOYOTA DYNA 22 FORD 24 31  Down 2 -22.6 0.9 MAZDA BONGO 19 MAZDA BONGO 17 MITSUBISHI 18 9  Up 2 100.0 0.7 TOYOTA DYNA 19 FORD TRANSIT 15 CHEVROLET 14 11 27.3 0.5 ISUZU ELF 16 NISSAN ATLAS 13 HINO 13 14  Down 2 -7.1 0.5 NISSAN ATLAS 14 TOYOTA REGIUS 13 HOLDEN 9 2  Up 5 350.0 0.3 ISUZU COMO 11 ISUZU ELF 11 MERCEDES-BENZ 8 2  Up 6 300.0 0.3 TOYOTA HILUX 11 HINO DUTRO 8 OTHER 24 32 -25.0 0.9 TOYOTA TOWNACE 9 NISSAN NAVARA 8 TOTAL 617 465 32.7 100.0

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We are actively seeking new dealers. To find out how we can assist you, contact Martin Blockley on 09 379 4827 or [email protected]

www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz 23 | statstalk Used imports USED VEHICLES brought to you by: Tax rush makes final surge in Japan

s expected, new car sales figures surged ahead in Japan, as consumers rushed to beat the March A31st deadline for the imposition of an increase in consumption tax to 8%. Of the 496,105 vehicles sold, 292,446 were in the Tourokusha (over 1000cc) bracket of particular inter- est to Kiwi importers. The trend for significant volumes is expected to last through the first quarter of 2014 with spill-over from unfulfilled orders well into April or May. The market leader for the past four months has been the Corolla (Hybrid model from August) coming in at 4th with newly-launched Honda Fit and Fit Hybrid, confidently once 10,668, and Nissan Note (the only non-Hybrid model in the again taking the top spot with 26,865 sales, well clear of top-5) at 10,334, coming off the sale volume highs when first previous market darlings Toyota Aqua and Prius, at 22,885 launched. and 10,162 sales respectively. The Nissan Serena continued to hold the rank of Japan’s Together, these three predominantly Hybrid models (Fit favourite full-size multi-seater, at 9910 sales a close 6th, with Hybrid accounts for over 70% of Fit sales) dominated the top-10 regulars Toyota Vitz (6732) and Nissan X-Trail (6616) over-1000cc market with a combined total of 69,912 deliver- sitting on 7th and 8th rank respectively. ies - nearly 24% of the market- with the newly-launched (Japan commentary courtesy of the IMVIA).  AROUND THE COUNTRY DISTRICT MAR'14 MAR'13 % CHANGE USED IMPORT PASSENGER MODELS WHA 193 131 47.33 MAKE MODEL MAR'14 MAKE MODEL MAR'13 AUC 5034 3761 33.85 TOYOTA COROLLA 607 TOYOTA COROLLA 519 HAM 663 514 28.99 NISSAN TIIDA 557 SUZUKI SWIFT 354 THA 72 62 16.13 SUZUKI SWIFT 521 MAZDA DEMIO 332 TAU 400 301 32.89 MAZDA DEMIO 520 MAZDA AXELA 325 ROT 84 60 40.00 GIS 46 36 27.78 MAZDA AXELA 505 NISSAN TIIDA 301 NAP 187 136 37.50 HONDA FIT 423 SUBARU LEGACY 222 NEW 174 105 65.71 TOYOTA WISH 257 HONDA FIT 219 WAN 66 59 11.86 TOYOTA VITZ 240 TOYOTA VITZ 202 PAL 259 182 42.31 SUBARU LEGACY 229 TOYOTA WISH 186 MAS 49 34 44.12 MAZDA ATENZA 219 MAZDA ATENZA 172 WEL 796 691 15.20 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 214 MAZDA MPV 167 NEL 158 101 56.44 MAZDA MPV 188 TOYOTA IST 148 BLE 54 31 74.19 BMW 3 Series 176 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 146 GRE 31 25 24.00 NISSAN NOTE 171 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 133 WES 7 9 NISSAN MARCH 169 BMW 335I 131 CHR 1486 971 53.04 TOYOTA IST 157 HONDA ODYSSEY 128 TIM 88 61 44.26 OAM 30 17 76.47 HONDA ODYSSEY 150 HONDA ACCORD 115 DUN 253 229 10.48 HONDA ACCORD 146 TOYOTA ESTIMA 112 INV 117 65 80.00 TOYOTA ESTIMA 140 NISSAN NOTE 110 TOTAL 10247 7581 35.17 NISSAN BLUEBIRD 139 NISSAN MARCH 106

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24 | www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz statstalk USED VEHICLES

Another cracker Used imports brought to you by: month for imports

Continued from page 23 units sold between the five tributed to repeat business but the yard didn’t sell as branches. for us,” says Gosling. many vehicles off the yard Gosling says despite the Already the level of sales He hopes to break that re- as it expected or would have road work on Moorhouse for April have been encour- cord of 308 and is confident liked to. Mapperson says he Avenue causing difficulty, aging according to Gosling. it is achievable.  stocked up heavily earlier in the Christchurch branch the year and has 58 vehicles sold 133 units which USED IMPORT PASSENGER MAKES in stock and that won’t be eclipses its previous best MAKE MAR'14 MAR'13 Movement % Market replenished until record of 113. Change Share at least 20 more The Tauranga units are sold. branch under TOYOTA 2441 2020 20.8 23.8 NISSAN 1842 1202 53.2 18.0 Mapperson new management MAZDA 1765 1193 47.9 17.2 says the Volk- also had a record HONDA 1124 793 41.7 11.0 swagen Golf month says Gos- SUZUKI 617 423 45.9 6.0 was the most ling. SUBARU 433 363 19.3 4.2 popular make He attributes BMW 413 272  Up 1 51.8 4.0 that he sold Tony Gosling the success of VOLKSWAGEN 373 254  Up 1 46.9 3.6 MITSUBISHI 371 in March followed by the Stadium Cars to repeat 352  Down 1 5.4 3.6 AUDI 177 154 14.9 1.7 BMW 1 series which was a business from custom- MERCEDES-BENZ 161 108 49.1 1.6 distant second, and then ers returning to make a FORD 107 98 9.2 1.0 one of other makes such as second or third vehicle CHEVROLET 61 51 19.6 0.6 the Mini Cooper, Audi A3 purchase from the com- VOLVO 50 41 22.0 0.5 and A4, a couple of Japa- pany. The company also HYUNDAI 41 19  Up 2 115.8 0.4 nese trades being a Mazda had a record month for JAGUAR 39 22 77.3 0.4 LEXUS 36 13  Up 4 176.9 0.4 and a Mitsubishi and a writing finance agree- MINI 31 15  Up 1 106.7 0.3 single Volvo. ments as well. LAND ROVER 26 33  Down 4 -21.2 0.3 When asked about the “I think we’ve created HOLDEN 17 14 21.4 0.2 waning popularity of Volvo a trusted brand, word of OTHER 122 141 -13.5 1.2 as a second hand import, mouth has certainly con- TOTAL 10247 7581 35.2 100.0 Mapperson says the yards early sales of USED IMPORT PASSENGER MAKES – THIS YEAR the Volvo V50 station wagon have satisfied the demand for that ther particular vehicle. aihatsu oyota Prediction for April? AUDI BMW CHE V ROLET D F ord HO N DA H yu n dai M a z da MERCEDES M itsubishi Nissa n P eugeot S ubaru S u z uki T V W O TOTAL 14-Jan 208 328 54 25 139 920 16 1655 155 363 1779 6 425 549 2206 311 1251 9470 Mapperson says in- 13-Jan 122 164 70 17 98 710 15 1282 78 342 1309 12 364 410 1943 229 232 7397 quiry levels are steady, % diff 70 100 -23 47 42 30 7 29 99 6 36 -50 17 34 14 36 439 28 but as yet not exciting. 14-Feb 189 346 54 20 98 1015 18 1510 142 350 1619 12 361 550 2258 298 315 9155 Down in Christch- 13-Feb 122 195 67 14 105 682 14 1159 96 349 1190 9 311 332 1827 237 213 6922 urch Stadium Cars % diff 55 77 -19 43 -7 49 29 30 48 0 36 33 16 66 24 26 48 32 director Tony Gos- 14-Mar 177 413 61 15 107 1124 41 1765 161 371 1842 10 433 617 2441 373 296 10247 13-Mar 154 272 51 15 98 18 18 1193 108 352 1202 12 363 423 2020 254 1028 7581 ling says his com- % diff 15 52 20 0 9 6144 128 48 49 5 53 -17 19 46 21 47 -71 35 pany had a boomer YTD 14 574 1087 169 60 344 3059 75 4930 458 1084 3621 28 1219 1716 6905 982 1862 28872 month hitting an all YTD 13 398 631 188 46 301 1410 47 3634 282 1043 3701 33 1038 1165 5790 720 1473 21900 time record of 308 %diff 44 72 -10 30 14 117 60 36 62 4 -2 -15 17 47 19 36 26 32

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www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz 25 | statstalk NEW VEHICLES

on 11%% (1202 units) and Holden third with 8% (950 Best March units). Toyota was the passen- ger car market leader for the month of March with in 20 years 13% share (1049 units), with Hyundai second on 10% (774 units) and Holden third with 10% (764 units). ew vehicle sales have had another high-perfor- The Toyota Corolla remains the top selling passenger mance month – with the overall market the best in model with 5% market share (408 units), followed by the Su- N20 years zuki Swift on 4% (287 units) and the Holden Commodore New vehicle registrations tallied 11,238 during March, at 3% (245 units). The Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda up 18% (1733) on last year. Year-to date the market is 15% 3 were the next best-selling models, also with 3% each of ahead of 2013 market share. There were 7994 passenger vehicles sold dur- The Ford Ranger was the top selling com- ing March, up 17.5% (1194 units) on March 2013. mercial model for March with 550 units sold (17% Year-to-date registrations of passenger vehicles is market share). The Toyota Hilux was the second 14% (2875 units) ahead of 2013. best seller with 16% market share (505 units). This Commercial vehicle registrations of 3,244 was followed by the Nissan Navara with 8% (270 units were up 20% (538 units) on March 2013. units). Year-to-date the Ford Ranger is the top Year to date registrations of commercial vehicles selling commercial model with 15% market share is 19% (1285 units) ahead of March 2013, reflect- (1171 units) closely followed by the Toyota Hilux, ing a continued strong market for commercial with 14% market share (1126 units). Matthew Carmen vehicles. The sale of sports utility vehicles repre- Toyota was the overall market leader for the month of sented a whopping 29% of all vehicles sales in March, March with 16% market share (1802 units) with Ford second followed by pick-ups/chassis-cabs with 20% and small passenger cars at 19% each. NEW PASSENGER MAKES Motor Industry Association chief executive David MAR'14 MAR'13 % Market MAKE Movement Crawford says buyers are taking advantage of the strong Change Share dollar. TOYOTA 1048 1202 -12.8 13.1 “This result shows that New Zealanders are continu- HYUNDAI 774 512  Up 1 51.2 9.7 ing to take advantage of our strong dollar - backed by HOLDEN 764 654  Down 2 16.8 9.6 confidence in the economy - to replace their vehicle’s,” MITSUBISHI 640 451  Up 4 41.9 8.0 Crawford says. “New vehicle registrations continues to MAZDA 621 485 28.0 7.8 FORD 602 475 26.7 7.5 Continued on page 27 SUZUKI 505 499  Down 3 1.2 6.3 NISSAN 408 467  Down 1 -12.6 5.1 NEW COMMERCIAL MAKES HONDA 367 200  Up 2 83.5 4.6 MAR MAR % Market MAKE Movement VOLKSWAGEN 359 319  Down 1 12.5 4.5 '14 '13 Change Share KIA 277 249  Down 1 11.2 3.5 TOYOTA 753 643 17.1 23.2 AUDI 205 154  Up 2 33.1 2.6 FORD 600 453 32.5 18.5 SUBARU 184 168 9.5 2.3 NISSAN 270 308 -12.3 8.3 BMW 171 182  Down 2 -6.0 2.1 MITSUBISHI 231 225  Up 1 2.7 7.1 MERCEDES-BENZ 157 108 45.4 2.0 ISUZU 199 126  Up 1 57.9 6.1 PEUGEOT 114 98 16.3 1.4 HOLDEN 186 250  Down 2 -25.6 5.7 JEEP 100 56  Up 2 78.6 1.3 VOLKSWAGEN 114 100  Up 1 14.0 3.5 SKODA 83 61  Down 1 36.1 1.0 MAZDA 101 119  Down 1 -15.1 3.1 SSANGYONG 83 55  Up 1 50.9 1.0 GREAT WALL 99 80 23.8 3.1 LAND ROVER 78 43  Up 2 81.4 1.0 SSANGYONG 81 47  Up 1 72.3 2.5 OTHER 452 362 24.9 5.7 OTHER 609 354 72.0 18.8 TOTAL 7992 6800 17.5 100.0 TOTAL 3243 2705 19.9 100.0

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26 | www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz statstalk NEW VEHICLES

Continued from page 26 the recent arrival of the perform at levels last seen in the early 1980’s.” all-new Mazda3 has gone North Harbour Ford new vehicles sales manager Steve brilliantly. Fraser says March was a good month “In the ten years I have for the dealership, the team met their worked in car retail it has sales targets, the industry is strong been the best new car but competitive and they are pleased launch yet in terms of cus- with the overall result. tomer feedback and sales, Fraser says that anecdotally used Mazda has put a lot of car sales are okay but a bit flat on thought and effort into the previous months as the good deals new Mazda3 and custom- on new vehicles are having an im- ers like the approach to both fuel economy and technol- pact. ogy that it offers,” says Carmen. Steve Fraser “A small factor in the used sales As well as the Mazda3 going gangbusters for Capital City market is that people are preferring to buy new because Mazda, the CX-5 too continues to sell strongly says Carmen. there are some good deals around,” he says. He feels that people who previously bought Mazda6 for tool “New car sales are aggressive, everyone has aspira- of trade vehicles for business, are now buying the CX-5 or tions to grab some market share, hence there are great Continued on page 28 products of good quality available at good prices. There’s never been a better time for NEW COMMERCIAL MODELS the consumer to buy a new car,” says Fraser. MAKE MODEL MAR'14 MAKE MODEL MAR'13 Capital City Mazda new vehicle sales man- FORD RANGER 550 TOYOTA HILUX 389 ager Matthew Carmen says his team reached TOYOTA HILUX 505 FORD RANGER 368 the quarterly sales targets but struggled earlier NISSAN NAVARA 270 NISSAN NAVARA 300 in the year without stock of the Mazda3. TOYOTA HIACE 225 TOYOTA HIACE 239 HOLDEN COLORADO 168 HOLDEN COLORADO 232 Carmen says that the team had to sell from MITSUBISHI TRITON 156 MITSUBISHI L300 138 the mixture of vehicles that were in stock but ISUZU D-MAX 114 MAZDA BT-50 119 MAZDA BT-50 100 MITSUBISHI TRITON 87 SSANGYONG ACTYON SPORT 81 FORD TRANSIT 77 NEW AROUND THE COUNTRY GREAT WALL V240 78 ISUZU D-MAX 76 DISTRACT MAR'14 MAR'13 % CHANGE WHA 203 148 37.16 NEW PASSENGER MODELS AUC 3461 2883 20.05 MAR MAR MAKE MODEL MAKE MODEL HAM 662 498 32.93 '14 '13 THA 53 56 -5.36 TOYOTA COROLLA 408 TOYOTA COROLLA 429 TAU 335 257 30.35 SUZUKI SWIFT 287 SUZUKI SWIFT 270 ROT 97 62 56.45 HOLDEN COMMODORE 245 HOLDEN CAPTIVA 220 GIS 40 39 2.56 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 241 TOYOTA RAV4 207 NAP 247 173 42.77 MAZDA MAZDA3 237 TOYOTA YARIS 205 NEW 144 98 46.94 MITSUBISHI LANCER 222 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 189 WAN 60 117 -48.72 MAZDA CX-5 218 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 183 PAL 254 325 -21.85 HYUNDAI IX35 197 HOLDEN COMMODORE 163 MAS 61 50 22.00 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 190 MAZDA CX-5 163 WEL 868 724 19.89 HYUNDAI I30 174 NISSAN QASHQAI 148 NEL 113 72 56.94 TOYOTA RAV4 170 HOLDEN CRUZE 136 BLE 62 52 19.23 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 165 FORD TERRITORY 127 GRE 16 11 45.45 HOLDEN CAPTIVA 152 NISSAN X-TRAIL 124 WES 2 5 -60.00 HOLDEN CRUZE 142 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 106 CHR 812 829 -2.05 TOYOTA YARIS 142 FORD FOCUS 103 TIM 68 61 11.48 HONDA CRV 130 MAZDA MAZDA6 103 OAM 26 14 85.71 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 128 MAZDA MAZDA3 100 DUN 287 232 23.71 FORD FIESTA 126 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 98 INV 121 94 28.72 FORD FOCUS 124 MAZDA MAZDA2 93 TOTAL 7992 6800 17.53 FORD KUGA 123 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE 93

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www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz 27 | statstalk NEW VEHICLES

Continued from page 27 the company is pleased sales are run- the new Mazda3. ning ahead of last year. “The Mazda6 has become the vehi- “The BMW 3 Series, 1 Series and our cle for the private or executive buyer,” ever popular X5 Sport Activity Vehi- he says. “We did not meet our quarterly cle have been at the forefront of new target on that particular vehicle range.” registrations in the first quarter of this Even though the light commercial year,” says managing director Nina market is buoyant nationally, Carmen Englert. says the ute market in Wellington is “Pleasingly, this result equates to an quite small, and although Capital City increase in sales of 6.1% for BMW when Mazda is selling more BT-50s than it comparing results from the first quarter has previously, Carmen says the com- 2014 with the same time in 2013. remarkable as there is an all-new MINI pany should be selling more because “MINI has enjoyed an even greater due for release in April which should of the competitive package on offer. increase of 19.1% when comparing the further stimulate growth in the seg- Carmen says the advent of the same time frames. This is particularly ment.”  $25,990 new vehicle offered by other manufacturers has also seen people walk up to a new vehicle rather than paying $20,000 for an older imported vehicle. “While there are customers who can make the walk-up from a late model secondhand Mazda3 at $26,000 to a new one at $32,000 its not as common as those people who make the walk up from a $20,000 used import to a $25,990 new vehicle,” says Carmen. “It indicates that the prices of imports are still pretty high.” From a franchise perspec- tive, at BMW New Zealand,

NEW PASSENGER MAKES V ER V O N OLKSWAGE ALFA ROMEO ALFA AUDI BMW CHERY CHRYSLER DODGE FORD WALL GREAT HOLDE N HO N DA HYU N DAI JEEP KIA LA N D RO LEXUS MA Z DA NZ MERCEDES-BE MI N I MITSUBISHI N ISSA PEUGEOT PORSCHE SKODA N G SSA N GYO SUBARU SU Z UKI TOYOTA V V OL OTHER TOTAL 14-Jan 27 180 195 19 12 44 827 10 853 360 665 96 243 92 40 521 200 63 353 444 100 44 75 78 158 527 1467 414 45 141 8293 13-Jan 17 161 176 40 9 56 519 7 908 331 685 49 224 59 33 533 145 57 228 346 76 33 77 52 160 440 1528 301 28 107 7385 % diff 59 12 11 -53 33 -21 59 43 -6 9 -3 96 8 56 21 -2 38 11 55 28 32 33 -3 50 -1 20 -4 38 61 32 12 14-Feb 19 179 174 12 4 42 523 13 782 230 616 84 258 78 50 532 109 46 404 388 87 13 54 72 144 423 762 316 34 124 6572 13-Feb 12 161 149 22 6 52 406 6 492 228 541 54 239 37 38 455 114 44 268 381 66 12 65 47 126 433 926 318 23 78 5799 % diff 58 11 17 -45 -33 -19 29 117 59 1 14 56 8 111 32 17 -4 5 51 2 32 8 -17 53 14 -2 -18 -1 48 59 13 14-Mar 26 205 171 23 10 54 602 11 764 367 774 100 277 78 65 621 157 46 640 408 114 17 83 83 184 505 1048 359 48 152 7992 13-Mar 21 154 182 21 5 39 475 26 654 200 512 56 249 43 47 485 108 30 451 467 98 18 61 55 168 499 1202 319 26 129 6800 % diff 24 33 -6 10 100 38 27 -58 17 84 51 79 11 81 38 28 45 53 42 -13 16 -6 36 51 10 1 -13 13 85 18 18 YTD 14 72 564 540 54 26 140 1952 34 2399 957 2055 280 778 248 155 1674 466 155 1397 1240 301 74 212 233 486 1455 3277 1089 127 417 22857 YTD 13 50 476 507 83 20 147 1400 39 2054 759 1738 159 712 139 118 1473 367 131 947 1194 240 63 203 154 454 1372 3656 938 77 314 19984 %diff 44 18 7 -35 30 -902 39 -13 17 26 18 76 9 78 31 14 27 18 48 4 25 17 4 51 7 6 -10 16 65 33 14

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28 | www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz statstalk SECONDHAND

Light growth in Compliance made simple ...since 1999 secondhand trade

here was small, but trucks, and down 1.2% to 100,000km means that mar- steady, growth in the 397 units for bikes. gins are being squeezed due Tsecondhand vehicle Capital City Mazda new to paucity of supply. trade in March – with trader vehicle sales manager Mat- “Often our quality low stock very quickly. But be- sales up in two of the three thew Carmen says that the mileage trade-ins are spo- cause we find ourselves pay- sectors. high demand from fran- ken for before they hit the ing more for quality stock but Dealer-to-public transac- chise dealer customers for forecourt,” says Carmen. “We having to sell it at the market tions were up 6.8% to 16,925 quality vehicles under five have lists of people looking price, we are not making as for cars, up 8% to 2341 for years old and with less than for such cars and we move great of a margin.” 

SECONDHAND REGISTRATIONS − MARCH 2014 SALE TYPE WHA AUC HAM THA TAU ROT GIS NAP NEW WAN PAL MAS WEL NEL BLE GRE WES CHR TIM OAM DUN INV TOTAL Cars 2014 Public to Trader 262 4512 1193 78 649 126 111 401 252 128 780 95 1163 255 122 65 1 1803 130 35 490 346 12997 Public to Public 1763 14271 3214 489 1903 670 356 1434 1043 436 1650 362 2878 921 399 227 89 5250 606 198 1750 910 40819 Trader to Public 510 5643 1360 198 852 261 174 590 401 208 823 159 1497 311 169 110 25 2229 215 69 673 448 16925 Cars 2013 Public to Trader 225 4049 1089 92 556 130 86 426 253 131 652 86 1082 209 115 47 1727 145 18 444 313 11875 Public to Public 1554 12780 3034 490 1800 726 338 1338 981 376 1483 333 2749 877 340 198 86 4877 503 171 1604 919 37557 Trader to Public 445 5053 1340 175 816 250 193 566 447 197 747 151 1346 266 182 104 25 2156 227 70 664 426 15846 Cars % Change Public to Trader 16.4 11.4 9.6 -15.2 16.7 -3.1 29.1 -5.9 -0.4 -2.3 19.6 10.5 7.5 22.0 6.1 38.3 4.4 -10.3 94.4 10.4 10.5 9.4 Public to Public 13.4 11.7 5.9 -0.2 5.7 -7.7 5.3 7.2 6.3 16.0 11.3 8.7 4.7 5.0 17.4 14.6 3.5 7.6 20.5 15.8 9.1 -1.0 8.7 Trader to Public 14.6 11.7 1.5 13.1 4.4 4.4 -9.8 4.2 -10.3 5.6 10.2 5.3 11.2 16.9 -7.1 5.8 0.0 3.4 -5.3 -1.4 1.4 5.2 6.8 Motorcycles 2014 Public to Trader 4 150 38 33 3 4 7 4 21 8 60 6 5 1 27 3 2 25 6 407 Public to Public 59 582 151 27 100 30 11 64 58 16 80 12 163 67 31 10 8 302 30 5 73 38 1917 Trader to Public 14 121 36 5 31 8 1 9 12 6 19 6 47 7 6 5 34 6 1 16 7 397 Motorcycles 2013 Public to Trader 7 136 20 1 33 1 6 6 1 28 6 40 11 2 26 2 2 21 5 354 Public to Public 59 519 129 25 101 26 9 62 54 18 80 10 163 46 26 10 9 260 28 12 86 42 1774 Trader to Public 11 120 23 8 22 4 1 10 18 2 27 5 51 9 2 3 1 44 4 4 20 13 402 Motorcycles % change Public to Trader -42.9 10.3 90.0 0.0 200.0 -33.3 16.7 300.0 -25.0 33.3 50.0 -45.5 150.0 3.8 50.0 0.0 19.0 20.0 15.0 Public to Public 0.0 12.1 17.1 8.0 -1.0 15.4 22.2 3.2 7.4 -11.1 0.0 20.0 0.0 45.7 19.2 0.0 -11.1 16.2 7.1 -58.3 -15.1 -9.5 8.1 Trader to Public 27.3 0.8 56.5 -37.5 40.9 100.0 0.0 -10.0 -33.3 200.0 -29.6 20.0 -7.8 -22.2 200.0 66.7 -22.7 50.0 -75.0 -20.0 -46.2 -1.2 Trucks 2014 Public to Trader 71 407 195 30 95 28 27 65 48 15 107 29 80 51 25 13 256 45 3 72 94 1756 Public to Public 286 1557 496 85 337 107 73 258 166 85 272 72 336 205 74 48 21 798 113 38 248 199 5874 Trader to Public 98 551 241 45 136 51 47 92 82 29 101 32 109 61 42 11 5 356 40 23 105 85 2342 Trucks 2013 Public to Trader 48 373 168 16 86 20 23 51 29 15 81 22 84 37 31 9 215 32 6 62 58 1466 Public to Public 266 1561 456 81 282 161 65 229 198 71 260 59 314 167 52 42 12 711 90 23 253 166 5519 Trader to Public 98 511 218 39 117 44 46 82 85 31 101 30 110 56 42 15 3 327 47 9 88 69 2168 Trucks % change Public to Trader 47.9 9.1 16.1 87.5 10.5 40.0 17.4 27.5 65.5 0.0 32.1 31.8 -4.8 37.8 -19.4 44.4 19.1 40.6 -50.0 16.1 62.1 19.8 Public to Public 7.5 -0.3 8.8 4.9 19.5 -33.5 12.3 12.7 -16.2 19.7 4.6 22.0 7.0 22.8 42.3 14.3 75.0 12.2 25.6 65.2 -2.0 19.9 6.4 Trader to Public 0.0 7.8 10.6 15.4 16.2 15.9 2.2 12.2 -3.5 -6.5 0.0 6.7 -0.9 8.9 0.0 -26.7 66.7 8.9 -14.9 155.6 19.3 23.2 8.0 ✓ Control & manage your Trader Network stock 'Take control with Dealer ✓ Paperless change of ownership transactions Dashboard' ✓ CreateFixed wholesale vehicle Rates. transactions Fast approval. ✓ Total vehicle securities management ✓ Mobile optimised services

www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz 29 | statstalk Bikes Market sentiment ‘good’

he market for bikes so far this year is positive, accord- for new model road bikes ing to one of the leading brands, as the trade begins that will be arriving over the Tto prepare for a big rural push. winter months just in time for Blue Wing Honda brand manager Damien Smyth says the spring and summer riding the company has had a very good start to the year and season. has maintained its number one sales position in the ATV “We are looking forward to segment. spring already,” quips Smyth. Market sentiment is positive says Smyth and Blue Wing On road still rolling intends to build on the momentum shifting its focus to the The market for road-registered bikes is continuing along peak period for the sale of bikes to the farming sector with in a positive fashion, with a small but healthy gain of 4.3% to the advent of the National Feildays in June. 672 in March. Year-to-date sales are up 13% to 2124. Smyth says that Blue Wing will be releasing a new range Leading the market was Suzuki on 123 units, down 4.7% of Honda ATV models in April and he says that significant from 2013 for an 18.3% share. development has gone into these bikes, and that they pos- Honda was second on 70 units, up 42.9% for a 10.4% sess a host of improvements which will be attractive to the share, followed by Aprilia and Yamaha tied on 42, up farming sector. 162.5% for the Italian brand and 68% for the Japanese. “We believe they are the best range we’ve had to offer Harley Davidson was next on 41, followed by Triumph to date,” says Smyth. on 40. According to Smyth, sales of Honda road bikes are also In the used market, registrations were up 10.8% to 133 steady but that will taper off as the cooler months arrive. But units. Blue Wing will focus on building a marketing programme Harley Davidson was most popular on 33 units, down 14% for a 27.8% share. NEW BIKE MODELS Yamaha was second on 16, followed by Triumph on 12 MAKE MODEL MAR'14 and BMW and Honda tied on eight.  APRILIA SR MOTARD 50 30 PIAGGIO ZIP 50 2T 24 NEW BIKE MAKES HONDA NVS 50 22 MAR YTD MAR % Market MAKE SUZUKI AN125 HKL0 19 '14 '14 '13 Change Share SUZUKI GW250 INAZUMA LAM 19 SUZUKI 123 391 129 -4.7 18.3 TGB TAPO 50 13 HONDA 70 238 49 42.9 10.4 FORZA CAPRI LX 12 APRILIA 42 73 16 162.5 6.3 FORZA CICLONE 11 YAMAHA 42 126 25 68.0 6.3 KAWASAKI EX 300A 11 HARLEY DAVIDSON 41 147 46 -10.9 6.1 TRIUMPH 40 139 38 5.3 6.0 USED BIKE MAKES KAWASAKI 33 113 29 13.8 4.9 PIAGGIO 30 82 52 -42.3 4.5 MAKE MAR'14 MAR'13 % MARKET FORZA 24 50 11 118.2 3.6 CHANGE FACTORY BUILT 23 98 32 -28.1 3.4 HARLEY DAVIDSON 37 43 -14.0 27.8 HYOSUNG 22 64 22 0.0 3.3 YAMAHA 16 6 166.7 12.0 KTM 22 75 15 46.7 3.3 TRIUMPH 12 4 200.0 9.0 MOPED 20 65 23 -13.0 3.0 BMW 8 8 0.0 6.0 TGB 20 47 19 5.3 3.0 HONDA 8 17 -52.9 6.0 TNT MOTOR 18 40 12 50.0 2.7 DUCATI 7 5 40.0 5.3 BMW 16 65 15 6.7 2.4 SUZUKI 7 6 16.7 5.3 VESPA 13 52 15 -13.3 1.9 VICTORY 6 4 50.0 4.5 DUCATI 10 43 10 0.0 1.5 APRILIA 5 3 66.7 3.8 KEEWAY 8 27 9 -11.1 1.2 KAWASAKI 5 2 150.0 3.8 ROYAL ENFIELD 8 16 1.2 OTHER 22 22 0.0 16.5 OTHER 45 173 77 -41.6 6.7 TOTAL 133 120 10.8 100.0 TOTAL 672 2124 644 4.3 100.0

30 | www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz statstalk TRUCKS Boomer month for new trucks

he new truck market continued its juggernaut in- opposed to 12 for the previous corresponding period, Hino crease in market sales with 495 units registered for also dropped used market share by 7%, it sold 13 units this TMarch, a 57% increase over the corresponding period year as opposed to 14 last March. last year which saw 315 units sold. Mitsubishi Fuso however, had a 100% increase in units Isuzu led the charge with 85 units sold (versus 49 in the sold, from 4 in March 2013 to 8 in March 2014. corresponding period last year a 73% increase) followed Year-to-date 318 used trucks have been registered as op- by Fuso with 71 units sold (versus 34 in the corresponding posed to 296 in the previous corresponding period.  period last year a whopping 108% increase). Hino enjoyed a 55% year on year increase taking USED TRUCKS MAKES third place with 62 units against 40 in the correspond- MAKE MAR MAR % CHANGE MARKET YTD'14 YTD'13 ing period last year, Volvo Trucks also enjoyed a triple '14 '13 digit percentage increase, selling 44 units in March 2013 ISUZU 26 16 62.5 24.1 69 41 as opposed to 21 in the 2012. TOYOTA 26 27 -3.7 24.1 77 54 NISSAN 15 12 25.0 13.9 38 27 DAF rounded out the top five new truck sales figures HINO 13 14 -7.1 12.0 30 32 with 38 units, a 52% increase on the previous corre- MITSUBISHI 8 4 100.0 7.4 19 13 sponding period sales of 25. CHEVROLET 3 2.8 8 2 Volvo Trucks national sales manager Clive Jones FORD 3 9 -66.7 2.8 7 37 says that orders and deliveries for the Volvo brand OTHER 14 17 -17.6 13.0 70 90 continued to be strong in March and that sales are still TOTAL 108 99 9.1 100.0 318 296 tracking upwards. Jones says that customers are placing forward NEW TRUCK MAKES orders ten months in advance to replace their fleet MAKE MAR MAR % Change % of YTD'14 YTD'13 trucks next year and therefore lock in production '14 '13 Market and currency for the Volvo FH and FM trucks which are built from the chassis rails up, at a production ISUZU 85 49 73.5 17.2 192 127 facility in Wacol near Brisbane. MITSUBISHI FUSO 71 34 108.8 14.3 145 77 HINO 62 40 55.0 12.5 157 74 VOLVO 44 21 109.5 8.9 81 53 Small gain for used trucks DAF 38 25 52.0 7.7 56 61 Used trucks had a small year on year gain of 9%, MAN 27 8 237.5 5.5 83 17 with 108 registrations against 99 for the previous MERCEDES-BENZ 26 23 13.0 5.3 72 62 corresponding period. SCANIA 22 32 -31.3 4.4 41 66 Isuzu sold 26 units in March 2014, a 62% increase UD TRUCKS 22 12 83.3 4.4 52 33 on the 16 units sold in the corresponding period last FIAT 17 11 54.5 3.4 48 29 year. ALEXANDER DENNIS 12 9 33.3 2.4 35 26 Toyota had a slight percentage decrease, it IVECO 10 7 42.9 2.0 32 18 registered 26 units for March 2104 against 27 for the OTHER 59 44 34.1 11.9 153 173 corresponding period last year. TOTAL 495 315 57.1 100.0 1147 816 Nissan was up by three units, it sold 15 trucks as

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www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz 31 | f&italk F&I results up – especially down South Franchise dealerships (new & used)

arch - as tradition goes - has had some great FBI results, reports Darren Marmont of Autosure. M “People just seem to want to spend and borrow. It’s certainly been the case for Canterbury and Southland which have exceeded our budgets and expectations. “The good news for all of us, is that business is now accessible from any region for all dealerships the length of the country.” “Have a look online at who you consider your competi- Used/import dealerships tion to be. Do they sell the same message as you? Kiwi owned, amazing care, professionally hand picked, genuine deals ...... the best rates etc etc. “A friend of award winning business solutions is a gen- tleman by the name of Simon Sinek. He tells us, it’s not what we do or how we do it that will breed success, but WHY we do it,” says Marmont. “And therein lies the answer to being different. Make F&I personal, get a level of online connectivity that shows WHY you’re in business, WHY you exist, how you support your community, and share how important it is to you. Then sell Marmont recommends the following easy steps for deal- your FINANCE reasoning.” ers wanting to attract more out of town F&I: Continued on page 33 • Freshen up your website. A website or con- tent that’s 12 months old is too old. Franchise Averages • Be effective for F&I through TradeMe. March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar • Be creative and different. Really ask yourself, Finance 26% 28% 25% 29% 31% 29% 27% 30% 27% 25% 23% 28% 33% are you? MBI 46% 51% 45% 47% 45% 45% 47% 44% 42% 41% 47% 45% 41% • Answer a car buyers’ questions so they don’t PPI 16% 16% 18% 19% 20% 20% 19% 21% 21% 22% 12% 15% 15% need to go elsewhere (like the bank). GAP 13% 16% 12% 14% 14% 16% 17% 19% 16% 12% 13% 11% 15% • Advertise weekly payments - use of an online MVI 10% 12% 11% 10% 9% 12% 12% 10% 11% 15% 13% 13% 11% finance calculator is priceless to your busi- Used/Import Averages ness. March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar • Make the application simple and explain the Finance 49% 47% 49% 47% 50% 48% 46% 50% 51% 53% 47% 43% 48% process. MBI 63% 65% 60% 63% 61% 63% 60% 62% 62% 63% 57% 45% 52% “With more and more dealerships entering the PPI 32% 35% 30% 33% 33% 34% 35% 31% 33% 36% 32% 41% 38% competition you have to be different. Consum- GAP 24% 19% 21% 21% 23% 20% 22% 24% 20% 17% 18% 21% 24% ers get lost in the never ending same, same, blah, MVI 21% 23% 23% 25% 23% 23% 24% 26% 24% 22% 18% 16% 16% blah, blah marketing which we eventually begin Averages to ignore, and therefore any attempt to sell us March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar something becomes white static ‘noise’ that does Franchise $832 $807 $781 $839 $869 $854 $805 $879 $838 $807 $742 $902 $874 more harm than good,” says Marmont. Used/Import $957 $934 $949 $967 $992 $971 $932 $964 $976 $978 $929 $950 $915

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32 | www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz f&italk Dealers hit the water

utosure’s Big Fish Classic fishing competition hit the waters of the Hauraki Gulf last month - with 120 Amembers of the industry enjoying perfect weather on March 21. Autosure sponsored Kiwi Motorsport icon Greg Murphy & 2012 D1NZ Drifting Champion Curt Whittaker brought along their cars for all in attendance to check out, plus vents presented an indulgent line up of prizes, which included hot Deanne Rawle – Motor Insurance Manager, laps from both of them, with many spot prizes given away. Marie Anderson – Sales Marketing & E The Autosure Biggest Snapper weighed in at 12.5 pounds Coordinatorpecialist. & Wayne Hynes – Technical Jo from Ellis Utting. and went to Chris Janes of Sea J Marine. Another Claims S worthy mention in 2nd place was Stuart Hankins from Dodsons Parts World with another 12 pounder. The UDC biggest kingfish first prize went to Grant Cashmore from Motor Trade Finance with a 15 pound fish, followed by George Reed in second place from Dean Autosure Biggest S Automotive. A number of rat kingis were also Chris Janes flankednapper by Greg winner M & Curt Whittaker. caught, and Kim from Avanti Finance, having urphy photographic evidence earned herself the third prize spot. The Toy Shop heaviest kahawhai went to Marcus Dean with a beauty weighing in at nearly 7 pounds and Karl Brown from A Automotive tak- Kim from Avanti finance with ing second with another nice fish around 5 pounds. her 3rd place Kingfish. A very happy winner, Riki Hedland from Sea J Marine took out the Autotalk Average Snapper, which at 2 pounds was on the money to take home a hotlap with Greg Murphy and a GoPro Camera. Avanti Finance’s Heaviest Other Fish went to George Reed with a nice Treval- ly. His efforts, along with Marcus Dean and Jason Goffin from Dean Automotive and Julian Stone from Autoselect took out the Motor Central Best Boat Catch – winning new fishing gear & hotlaps around Hampton Downs with Curt Whittaker Grant Cashmore Biggest Kingfish” to Grant Cash- more UDC’s Biggest Kingfish. in the Autosure R34 Drift Car.  F&I results up – especially down South

Continued from page 32 timonies, and newspaper reviews on the stock you carry. Marmont says the biggest group is community, every- What others say about your business is gold and the more one belongs to one. Aside from trust that develops the more they that, sports, hobbies and spon- Profit per retail unit will listen to you about financing sorship all get that emotion go- that car. ing to build a presence of trust “Enjoy reviewing the figures for that is now becoming easier to March or feel free to give me a call do online than it is in person. and we can talk about results in “For a bit of humour and more depth and ways to address emotion you could add the your online effectiveness when sell- family dog or cat as a mas- ing F&I. cot to your personal contact “As a parting note, Autosure’s F&I profile. Any reasoning that course for early April sold out pret- consumers can connect to ty quick with 22 attendees wanting you, with will help earn their TRUST and help you be to make a difference - the biggest turnout we have had. If more believable in selling F&I. you would like some one on one coaching, please contact “Back this up with a sensible social media strategy - tes- us – the proof will be in your results.” 

www.autotalk.co.nzwww.autotalk.co.nz 33 | tribunaltalk Pre-existing faults cause trouble for trader Bhardwaj v Japan Car Consultants Limited

his case begins in promised to have the other of the faults were ‘pre-exist- The trader replied claim- November 2013, issues sorted. ing’ and outside of the terms ing the vehicle had no Tthe purchaser and The trader returned the of the warranty. major mechanical faults trader agreed in writing to a vehicle a week later, hav- The issues requiring and the trader was entitled deal on a 2004 Audi A8 for ing replaced the battery attention, according to to be given the opportunity $16,800, plus the purchaser to correct a number of the CCS, included a LH engine to remedy the issues. The would pay $80 for a pre faults, but not one fault mount, a faulty boot lid trader said at the hearing purchase inspection fee and - a boot lid motor – the control unit, a rain sensor it did not know about the $840 for a three year Jans- purchaser claiming he was (replaced under the war- faults until the CCS inspec- sen Holdings Ltd mechani- told it was because it was ranty), a faulty drive authori- tion - just three days before cal breakdown warranty - a too expensive. sation control unit, and a the rejection - maintaining total of $17,720 of which the A few days later the faulty digital sound package he had been willing to rem- purchaser paid the trader purchaser contacted the control unit. The total cost edy them. $1,000. The deal was con- dealer again noting the MMI of parts, labour and GST The tribunal found that tingent on the vehicle being system was again faulty, as to rectify those faults was the vehicle was not of an inspected and found free of was the keyless ignition, and estimated at $8,445.98 and, acceptable quality when major mechanical faults, and the side skirt. The purchaser ignoring the faulty rain sen- sold - and much of its dis- passing compliance with no returned the vehicle to the sor authorised to be repaired cussion came down to the history of structural accident trader, who later told him by Janssen was $7,880.41. time taken to identify and damage, the vehicle arriving the mechanical breakdown A meeting was held fix them. in the country in the condi- insurance did not cover the between the purchaser, The tribunal understood tion described by the trader MMI system, and a further a friend of the purchaser, that the trader was appar- The vehicle passed com- $100 payment was needed and the trader. The pur- ently reluctant to repair the pliance, and was given a to cover the system. chaser gave evidence that faults claiming they were pre-purchase appraisal by After this was paid, the the trader had said he was not mechanical - and was Marque Automotive, with trader telephoned the pur- not prepared to fix what he not surprised the purchaser only minor faults recorded chaser to advise that Marque classed as “extras” such as chose to reject the vehicle. - allowing the deal to be Automotive had confirmed the boot lid motor and the The tribunal, on the basis completed. the boot lid motor was keyless start/stop ignition - that the trader was given a The purchaser took faulty and the MMI system and that he wanted to install total of 19 working days by delivery, but two days was not working and that an aftermarket amplifier in the purchaser within which later returned it because the it intended to make a claim lieu of the vehicle’s standard to rectify the vehicle’s faults multimedia interface system under the purchaser’s me- Bose sound system. did not accept as credible (MMI system) was work- chanical breakdown policy The tribunal however, the trader’s claim that it has ing only intermittently, the to have those items repaired. having interviewed the not had the opportunity to keyless ignition stop/start The following day the trader friend, has cast doubt on remedy the faults - saying it button did not function, the asked the purchaser to take his recollection of this had more than enough time boot lid control unit did not the vehicle to Continental meeting. to do so before the car went function and the side skirt Car Services to have them Following the meet- to CCS. on the rear passengers door repair the faults under the ing, the purchaser sent the “The trader must have was faulty. policy. trader an email rejecting the known from the purchaser’s When the vehicle was CCS received the vehicle, vehicle on the basis that the complaints and its own returned to him the next and under the terms of the vehicle was ‘not of satisfac- repairer’s puny attempts to day he says that the only warranty would not assess tory quality’. The essence of address the faults with the item that had been repaired it until the trader agreed to his complaint was the long ignition, the MMI system was the side skirt and that pay for an Audi battery to be period of time the trader and the boot lid control failed soon after because fitted - which was done. The had taken to addressing that the vehicle’s electrical it had been stuck back in next day CCS informed the the vehicle’s faults and the systems were faulty.” place with glue. He returned purchaser that the claim had failure to rectify them within It upheld the rejection it again, and says the trader been turned down as most a reasonable time. and a full refund. 

34 | www.autotalk.co.nz forextalk Yen hits 6-year low against Kiwi dollar The movements of currency are crucial to the automotive industry, so every month we feature a currency commentary from Western Union Business Solutions. Here Rick Mewar discusses the currencies that are key to vehicle traders. he importation of used vehicles from Japan was given year, though what really excited dollar bulls was new Fed another boost this week when the Japanese yen chair Janet Yellen’s assertion that the bank’s main interest Treached a cross rate with the NZ dollar of nearly 90 rate could rise about six months after it retires its monthly yen. bond buying program - tentatively slated for later this year - which put upward pressure on US Treasury yields to the JPY benefit of the dollar. The yen slipped across the board, nearing its lowest level GBP Paying bills in the pound took a turn for the affordable in March, when the UK unit logged a forgettable month. Customers and investors alike will look to UK data in April to gauge whether its downswing last month has legs. March was tough on those betting on steady outperformance for the pound. Britain’s currency fell to one-month lows in late March as investors suspected that a change in central bank forward guidance suggested any rate rise may be further over the horizon. The pound shed nearly 2% in value against the dol- lar last month, giving its worst performance since the first in 10 weeks against the greenback. The yen has come under half of 2013. renewed pressure amid cooling prospects for Japanese growth in the wake of Tokyo’s raising of the nation’s sales tax EUR to 8% from 5%. The higher tax rate is designed to shore up Two major political hurdles for the euro zone were over- tattered Japanese finances. come at the end of last month. During that same period of But the move could come at the price of slower growth. time the euro faced over a 1.5% decline against the US dollar, The headwind to the economy from the sales tax suggests suggesting that political, fiscal, and structural matters of the that, sooner or later, Japanese policymakers may have to euro zone are now less of a concern for investors, who in redouble their efforts to keep the recovery on track. An ex- the past would have been inclined to buy the euro on such pectation of new Japanese measures at a time when the US positive developments. Fed. is perceived to be shifting toward tighter policy, could The so-called troika—consisting of the European Central see the US dollar revisit multiyear highs touched earlier this Bank (ECB), International Monetary Fund, and European year. Union—has virtually agreed to send the next bailout tranche to Greece, while an agreement was also made to form a USD banking union that breaks the ‘doom loop’ between fi scally Many investors entered 2014 with bullish aspirations for weak governments and bad banks. the dollar. Optimism in the US economy was on the rise During the month of April, the euro could be driven more after the Federal Reserve (Fed) announced in December its by the ECB’s policy outlook, and possible actions taken, than first move to unwind stimulus, but hopes for a dollar revival what markets have grown accustom to recently. The euro this year got blown off course following a parade of weath- has benefitted primarily when investors are fed good news er-weakened data. Consequently, the dollar struggled for the and want to buy more risk into portfolios. That is not to better part of the first quarter as hopes for faster US growth say politics or trading on risk appetite from investors is out failed to materialise. However, following the Fed’s mid- of the picture, but rather to the side of the table until May March meeting, investors seemed to hit the ‘reset’ button when the European Parliament elections are scheduled.  for both the dollar and the world’s top economy. The Fed sparked a dollar rally after it announced another pullback in stimulus on March 19, which is its third in as many meetings. The Fed now spends $55 billion a month to support the economy, down from an $85 billion monthly rate last www.business.westernunion.com

www.autotalk.co.nz 35 | aussietalk foundationsponsor The past month on autotalk.com.au Report on used imports goes to government

he Productivity Commission people employed in the wholesale and ing director Bronte Howson says. has submitted to the Federal retail sector of the Australian new-car “The dealerships operate from well- TGovernment a report on the market would be at risk, says Tessier. maintained properties on long-term transformation of the car industry once “We are a very significant contribu- leases and require no significant capital manufacturing comes to an end. tor to the economy. These changes expenditure.” The government is required to would be devastating and would cost “They also complement out estab- table the Productivity Commission’s jobs.” lished Newcastle truck hub, giving report in each House of Parliament The Productivity Commission claims AHG a very strong presence in the within 25 sitting days of receiving it. that an increase in imported used cars Newcastle region.” But given the limited sitting days, will improve vehicle affordability. The announcement came as AHG with parliament in recess until the announced a further investment in the federal budget on May 13, the govern- Expansion for AHG logistics side of its business, acquiring ment has until August 26 to release the Listed vehicle dealer and logistics Scott’s Refrigerated Freightways in a findings, reports News Corp. firm Automotive Holdings Group has deal worth $117 million. A spokeswoman for federal treas- announced further expansion plans – urer Joe Hockey says his office will not and is looking for additional capital. Customers invited to become crash speculate on when the report is likely The Perth-based group, which test dummies to be published. already has 150 dealers across Australia To demonstrate the effectiveness The Productivity Commission’s and New Zealand, has announced a of modern safety technologies, NRMA preliminary report, delivered in deal to acquire Newcastle’s Bradstreet insurance has set up a simulator inside December, called for rolling back Motor Group for $68 million. a new VF Commodore for motorists to restrictions on imported used cars. The group is made up of 13 dealer- crash test again and again – virtually. Under the current regulations ships in and around the city, represent- The company has opened the imported used cars are restricted to ing seven brands – Toyota, Mazda, crashed car showroom in York Street, enthusiast vehicles and can only be Holden, Nissan, Kia, Subaru and Great Sydney for 10 days, and the public are sold in limited numbers. Wall. In the last financial year, Brad- invited to come in and try the simu- “We are completely opposed to street generated revenue of $449 lated crash test, sitting inside a new relaxing any barriers that are in place,” million and a pre-tax net profit of $14 Holden, at no charge. Patrick Tessier, the CEO of the Austral- million. Drivers are invited to wear a 3D ian Automotive Dealers Association, The deal will take AHG to a total of which represents 4106 new-car fran- 169 dealerships on 96 sites. chises nationally, told News Corp. “This is a strategic addition to our “The jobs of more than 90,000 NSW dealership network,” manag- HAVE WE GOT A

DEAL FOR YOU! mask as they get behind the wheel of TYRES a late model VF Holden Commodore which crashes virtually into a barrier www.tyres4u.co.nz at the same speed at which crash tests TO are conducted. Then the system is reset, and the same test is carried out in a 1982 ADVERTISE Holden Commodore with far more HERE horrific results.  W contact Dale on 021 446 214 or Australian dealer news [email protected] Go to dealer locator to find your local dealer at www.autotalk.com.au FOLLO

36 | www.autotalk.co.nz DieselTalk managing editor Richard Edwards The looks at the month means that up to 200 truck gone by on movements a day of milk Talk.co.nz March 14 Diesel Diary powder and logs will be added -Daily news for the to the roading network north Hellmann on the heavy transport of Auckland.

and equipment move at Auckland dwards E ichard R sectors. Airport March 14 Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has announced that Auckland Northland Port State of the art fire Airport Ltd will design and March 3 reports profit and engines for Auckland build it’s new head office, Airport international air and ocean cargo growth logistics facility at Auckland PM says good logistics Northland Port Corporation Four firefighting vehicles were Airport. infrastructure needed (NZ) reported a half year profit unveiled at Auckland Airport The 15,000 square metre The prime minister John Key increase of 3.7% on the back – the new fleet costing $5.3 infrastructure consisting of says good logistics infra- of a 7.6% increase in cargo million. high bay ambient warehouse, structure is needed if New volume for the same period. The Rosenbauer Panthers multi-zone cold chain ware- Zealand wishes to enjoy more The net surplus of $3.806 are considered some of the house, enclosed drive through economic growth. million as compared with most sophisticated avail- canopy and two story office Speaking at the official $3.672 million for the cor- able have been specifically complex will occupy the site opening of the newest Cardi- responding period last year, designed to cater for the full on the corner of George Bolt nal Logistics warehousing and represented an increase of fleet of aircraft serving Auck- Memorial Drive and Landing distribution centre in South 3.7%. land, including the increasing Drive. Auckland, Key says the New number of A380s that serve Zealand economy is grow- Auckland Airport. ing at about 4% a year and he March 7 March 21 feels it is starting to crank up. Port wars hot up in March 14 Market demand still March 3 South high for plant and We now have not one port Change needed in equipment Chinese $950 million but two, announcing their safety culture says Suppliers of plant, machin- bid wins Transpacific intention to spend $20 million ery and equipment need not apiece, establishing ‘inland Minister Australasian waste manage- A bill described as the largest tighten their belt buckles just ports’ at Rolleston, south-west ment company Transpacific reform of health and safety yet as economic indicators of Christchurch. agreed to sell its New Zealand legislation has been sent to show that the market is still First Ports of Tauranga business to Beijing Capital select committee. buoyant. announced its intention to Group for $950 million. The first reading of Expenditure on plant, ma- invest $20 million in an inland The deal is expected to the Health and Safety Reform chinery and equipment (ex- port at Izone industrial Park be completed mid-year says Bill was completed on a voice cluding transport) rose 7.5% to in Rolleston, to steer exports the NBR, subject to Over- vote despite Opposition criti- $4.7 billion in the December and imports to its half-owned seas Investment Office and cism of details in the bill and quarter, year on year expendi- Timaru port. It hopes to be Chinese regulatory approv- on the Government’s record ture rose by 20%. operational by the third quar- als. Beijing Capital says the in the area current New Zealand man- ter of 2014 agement team will remain Lyttelton Port of Christch- March 21 in place, with operations urch has now announced it March 14 continuing as normal will develop a more than $20 Hire firm planning million inland port – also at Study Rolleston. It has condition- IPO March 3 ally purchased 27 hectares underestimates Hirepool, one of the leaders in adjacent to the main south growth says RTF the equipment and commer- cial rental market, is planning ‘Virtual speed rail line near Rolleston, for this The Road Transport Forum an Initial Public Offering ac- camera’ an aid to development. has claimed the government cording to reports. transport operators has underestimated growth in Transport operators are be- March 11 the volume of freight over the ing helped to drive down next 30 years in the national March 26 speeds in high-risk areas with Calls for Northland freight demand study. EROAD’s new ‘virtual speed rail to stay open Transport minister Gerry Truck drivers off skill Brownlee says the release of camera’ (VSC). The Campaign for Better the national freight demand shortage list Operators are now able to Transport is calling for the Truck drivers have been study 2014, is a ringing en- pinpoint areas of risk and ap- Northland rail network to re- dropped from Immigration dorsement of the programme ply their own speed limits to main open in the long term, in New Zealand’s Immediate to future proof roading those areas for their drivers. the wake of Kiwirail’s decision Skill Shortage list, but diesel networks in populous regions to suspend all freight services mechanics have avoided cuts and their linkages to strategic north of Auckland. ports. to the lists.  March 3 Kiwirail’s announcement

www.autotalk.co.nz 37 | By Motorsport editor Blair Bartels motorsport talk.co.nz Photos by Euan Cameron VINZ rally time provides tough competition

his year’s Brian Green Prop- perty Group New Zealand Rally TChampionship, driven by VINZ, sees one of the most competitive line- ups in the recent history of the cham- pionship, with plenty of front running car/driver combinations - and a few dark horses - that add up to a list of close to 10 cars that all have the capa- bility of standing on the podium. As well as this, changes to the roads used in the season-opening VINZ International Rally of Whangarei and Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa, plus a new event in the Coromandel, will allow those less experienced in with a better shot. Starting as the obvious favour- ite is four-time New Zealand Rally Champion Richard Mason, who and Australian Chris Atkinson the only Andrew Hawkeswood returned to returns with his BNT Subaru. In the drivers to have beaten Paddon since the NZRC last season but delays in second half of last season, Mason the event became a round of the Asia building his new Mazda 2 saw him was the only driver who could Pacific Championship in 2007. A good miss the final four rounds after his match Hayden Paddon consistently start at Whangarei could see Westy spectacular Audi Quattro was sold on speed once developments were riding a wave of confidence to mount overseas. The car, which runs a com- completed to the car’s engine and a serious challenge for the 2014 NZRC mon subframe, large travel suspen- suspension. title. sion and a two-litre turbo engine is on With the Masterton flyers refining The find of the 2013 season was paper very quick and the track record the major modifications made over the Ben Hunt. The Nelson driver moved of Hawkeswood and engineer Norm 2013 season, the reliability that dogged out of his Ford Fiesta and into the ex- Soo should see the car run reliably as it Mason and co-driving wife Sara over Emma Gilmour Subaru he will again did in its Rally Gisborne debut and the the middle part of the last season is campaign in 2014. Once again the car end of last season. likely to be the pair’s biggest concern will effectively be in Group N trim but Dylan Turner returns to the NZRC and especially at Whangarei, an event Hunt’s smooth style and consistency for the four North Island rounds of the that has seen the pair suffer more than is likely to serve him well, as it did in championship in his radical Mitsubi- their fair share of troubles. 2013. After a stunning debut season shi Evo 8. Although still production Another man to keep an eye on will that saw no less than four podium fin- based - unlike the cars of Hawkeswood be Chris West, who was closing in on ishes for the former Rally New Zealand or Gilmour - Turner’s car is radically the speed of Paddon and Mason in the Rising Stars Scholarship winner, he’ll be modified with a 2.2 litre stroker mo- second half of last season. West and looking for much of the same in 2014. tor, sequential gearbox and a strong co-driver Chris Cobham again return Emma Gilmour returns to the cham- suspension and braking package. Once in the Andrew Simms Mitsubishi Evo pionship after an interrupted season in again teaming up with Malcolm Read, 10, with R4 style suspension modifica- 2013 developing her Suzuki Swift Maxi. expect Turner to be a hard charger. tions and a different turbo that made After a series of engine problems last Rotorua’s Sloan Cox makes a return its way on to the car midway through season, the second engine was built to the championship in a fully-rebuilt last season. to 1600cc as opposed to the original Taslo Engineering Mitsubishi Evo 10 After brake problems hampered 1800cc, although this spec was seen at with Sarah Coatsworth joining the West at the opening two rounds last Rally Wairarapa last season. Over the former junior champion for the second season, no major changes for this off-season the car has been refined season. With a now well developed year should bring some reliability. The but perhaps the biggest change is in and lighter car, plus an increasingly championship starting in Whangarei the left-hand seat with Ben Atkinson mature driving style that netted Cox is also something that should work signed up to call the notes in the Van- some good results in the 2013 sea- in West’s favour, with the Cantabrian tage Suzuki. Continued on page 47

38 | www.autotalk.co.nz motorsport talk.co.nz

Continued from page 46 Mitsubishi Evo 8. The Tauranga driver whom are capable of providing an son, Cox rates as more than just a is making some pretty conservative upset result dark horse for his full championship pre-season claims but his efforts in Other classes see Max Bayley move campaign. the older generation Fiesta up against into the national championship after One driver to definitely keep an eye the more modern and sophisticated a season in Rally Xtreme last season, on this season will be Dave Strong in R2 cars last season showed his natural having purchased the ex-Phil Campbell his recently- repowered Ford Fiesta talent. Ford Fiesta R2 which at this stage is the S2000 car, although the major differ- Lance Williams is another young only registered car in category 2. ence is now that the car will boast a driver to watch this season. Williams Category 3 sees a return to the 3.2-litre Honda V6 under the bonnet makes his debut in the NZRC this NZRC for Brent Taylor in his new Toyo- rather than the two-litre four cylinder season driving the ex-Paddon Subaru ta FT86 which should see him start the unit the car has run in the past. Impreza which has been upgraded to season as the favourite in that class, With 350hp under his right foot, not full R4 specification. Williams has the with competition likely to come from to mention the confidence bought benefit of the experience of Crunch defending champion Hamish Ander- by reuniting with long term co-driver Bennett alongside him, with Bennett son in his Toyota Levin. Motueka’s Jim

Bruce McKenzie who retired from the claiming Williams as the most talented Gregory will also join the open 2wd sport for two years, the nimble little driver he has sat beside, somewhat of class in his 1970 Morris 1800. Fiesta - combined with the experi- a high accolade. With plans to move Category 4 numbers are also a bit ence and competitive nature of Strong overseas - and a budget to do it - thin on the ground, with a lot of last - should see him pushing the front Williams needs some strong results season’s competitors opting for the runners provided teething issues don’t behind him this year, so keep an eye Silver Fern marathon rally at the end hamper the car. on him. of the season as opposed to the NZRC. This season sees the much antici- Another new car to the champion- Expected to comfortably set the pace pated graduation of two drivers out of ship is the Peugeot 208 Proto of Patrick will be 2012 historic champion Mar- their Fiestas and into the ranks of the Malley. Based on a 208 bodyshell, the cus van Klink in his Mazda RX-7. Also four-wheel drive cars. Buoyed by the car runs Mitsubishi Evo 10 running returning for the 2014 season is Ron success of Ben Hunt a year earlier, Phil gear and suspension so should be Davey in his Ford Escort RS2000, while Campbell makes the step-up out of competitive. At this stage Malley, who a newcomer to the series is Andy Mar- his R2 spec Fiesta and into an ex-Neil will have mother Linzi calling the pace tin in his four-door Mazda RX-3. Allport Motorsport Mitsubishi Evo 9. notes, plans on doing the four North Category 5, which is again split into Like Hunt, Campbell’s car will still Island rounds of the championship, a two-wheel drive and four-wheel be in Group N trim so will give away although if funding is found he may drive class, sees Tony Gosling move power to some of his rivals, but with contest South Island rounds. out of his classic Ford Escort and the experience gained running in the The remainder of the four-wheel into an ex-Jansen Subaru against the Fiesta and having competed in the drive field is bolstered by last year’s Mitsubishi Evo 1 of Daniel Walker, while New Zealand Store Evo this season, rookie champion Graeme Feather- defending Category 5b champion Campbell will again be looking for a stone, Westland Rally winner Richard David Ralph in his Toyota Starlet will few trips to the pointy end of the field. Baddock, Matt Summerfield series face opposition from Jeff Torkington’s The other driver making the step-up sponsor Brian Green, Clint Cunning- Toyota MR2. Expect numbers in this to the ‘main game’ for 2014 is David ham in his older Mitsubishi Evo 4 and class to swell with local drivers at each Holder, driving the ex-Hayden Paddon Dave Thexton in his Subaru, most of round. 

www.autotalk.co.nz 39 | AUTOHUB Crikey Bruce Ad Final.pdf 1 19/03/14 12:03 pm

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