The trusted voice of the auto industry for more than 25 years Issue 13-2013 19 July 2013 In this issue p12 Grand Cherokee launched Industry supports p13 Pedestrian airbag praised p14 BMW’s 30th birthday party talks on systems p17 Maximising dealer profits p19 Wrong car listed in advert otor industry blind-spot monitoring, to managing “It was a useful introduction for organisations are giving traffic congestion on roads. getting people around the table to p22 Used imports drop back the government the The two events attracted discuss what we need to talk about, thumbs-upM for its initial consultation about 60 people from industries and get some clear views and on the way forward with intelligent connected to ITS, including the agreement,” he told Autofile. transport systems (ITS). Imported Motor Vehicle Industry “It didn’t nail down the The Ministry of Transport (MoT) Association (IMVIA) and the Motor government’s role, but I has followed up the release of Industry Association (MIA). wasn’t surprised as everyone’s its conversation paper into the David Crawford, chief executive struggling with it.” technology by hosting workshops officer of the MIA, attended the Crawford says the Beehive in Auckland and Wellington. workshop in the capital and says was involved in the roll-out Trusted for The systems include telematics part of the issue will be getting of broadband, for instance, to and communication between agencies to collaborate and – stimulate economic growth and over 25 years vehicles and with infrastructure. They depending on the ITS spectrum – make it socially equitable. Freephone: 0800 435 7868 [email protected] • www.protecta.co.nz range from in-vehicle safety, such as there are likely to be many players. [continued on page 4] Mark Gilbert Warnings issued before action on safety, car dealer was warned charges in Auckland District Court. interest on a loan, which was 35 per tyres and three times his conduct He was fined $22,000 and ordered cent higher than the agreed rate. technology risked breaching to pay $2,000 in reparations. The offending related to four Aconsumer legislation before being The judgement came after breaches of the Fair Trading Act (FTA) charged with breaking the law. he pleaded guilty to misleading and three of the Credit Contracts and The Commerce Commission customers, selling unnecessary Consumer Finance Act (CCCA). says the non-registered trader warranties and charging higher However, Autofile can reveal ripped off vulnerable buyers by interest rates than those agreed. Taylor was issued with warnings flouting legislation. In one case, Taylor charged his practices risked being deemed p10 Warwick Taylor admitted to the a buyer more than 60 per cent [continued on page 6] ACCESSORY BUNDLING Retro Vehicle Enhancement MORE SALES CREATE AN www.rve.co.nz EXCLUSIVE MODEL MORE PROFIT 0800 RETRO 4 U FOR YOUR BRAND CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE VIEW VIDEO WWW.DEALERSHIPEDITIONS.CO.NZ Driving Solutions BA D PARKING COSTING YOUR BUSINESS? Protect your investment with PREVENTS KERBING DAMAGE RANGE OF COLOURS COST-EFFECTIVE EASY TO INSTALL AND REMOVE MAY COVER EXISTING DAMAGE “Our dealership has installed the system on its loan vehicles. They’re prone to a bit of kerbing, so RimPro-Tec has saved us quite a bit of money. For owners of high-performance cars with alloys worth $7,000 to $8,000, it’s an economical way to save rims. We’re selling quite a few each month.” - Evan Lorezon, Jerry Clayton BMW 0800 4 RIMPRO WWW.RIMPRO-TEC.COM editor’s note Knocking criminals off perches hildren are great, can be, so that might “future-proof” law-abiding but there will always can when it comes to policing all especially someone else’s him to some degree. be a few rotten eggs. businesses in New Zealand. – when they’ve worn you But there was no getting away There’s no witch hunt against It could well do with more Cout, they can be handed back to with it for the latest dodgy car shill bidding or breaching resources – just consider the their rightful owners. salesman to be snared by the legislation. The media is part amount of work Trade Me Thomas, nine, and six-year-old authorities after he ripped off buyers the fabric of our society – it’s a contributed to The Auto Co case. Hannah belong to one of three at the lower end of the market. watchdog for everyone. It’s not just consumers who households in our neighbourhood Sham tender processes Just ponder what society suffer from dodgy car dealers’ “chicken co-operative”. were the preferred tools of this would be like without the media, actions. The market is distorted by They love stroking the rare- bottom-feeder, with purchasers especially when it comes to pulling manipulation and ill-gotten gains, breed wyandottes. They help with being lied to, coerced into going politicians into line. while traders playing by the book feeding, cleaning the chook house home with pointless warranties As reported earlier this year, miss out on business that should and trundle home clutching an egg and ripped off by hidden high ghost bidding will become a come their way. delighted with their latest forays interest rates. specified offence in the future The industry can do its bit into free-range section farming. This Commerce Commission but it’s an offence now because it by reporting suspects to the The buff-laced hen, which has case highlighted breaches of the breaches section 10 of the FTA. authorities and blackballing the white feathers with bits of gold, has Fair Trading Act (FTA) and, more It states: “No person shall, in law-breakers when it comes to been called Rainbow by Hannah. unusually, the Credit Contracts trade, engage in conduct that’s doing business. She was painting a rainbow while and Consumer Finance Act. Some liable to mislead the public as Or perhaps it’s time to eat some trying of think of a name. scams involved deliberately to the nature, characteristics or tangerines and watch Chicken Run. Thomas, on the other hand, is avoiding Consumer Guarantees quantity of goods.” more into cultivation and takes great Act obligations. The Commerce Commission is Darren Risby pride in tending to his tangerines. What’s incredible was this probably doing as good a job as it Editor Sadly, being planted at the criminal continued to flout the law street-end of his driveway, the despite being warned to operate fruits of his labours disappeared within it. overnight at harvest time. This prosecution coming hot on What sort of impact does such the heels of the country’s biggest a grubby little crime have on a uncovered case of shill bidding – youngster? Of course, no warrants by The Auto Co on Trade Me – is served, no culprit located, no unfortunate. day in court, no victim impact When these matters find their statement and no sentence way into the mainstream media, Reliable fortnightly handed down. they cast a shadow over the motor vehicle logistics The miniscule consolation vehicle sector. service JAPAN to NZ was this nine-year-old has been This industry is no different to introduced to how scummy people society, after all most citizens are PORT TO PORT / DOOR TO DOOR to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Nelson EDITOR ADVERTISING Darren Risby Brian McCutcheon Full MPI inspection [email protected] [email protected] service from Kawasaki, 021 137 5430 021 455 775 Osaka, and Nagoya JOURNALIST DESIGNER Cameron Carpenter Adrian Payne + Marine Insurance available [email protected] [email protected] Autofile is also available as an electronic copy via email. If you’d like to receive electronic copies please send an email with your name and organisation to: [email protected]. FOR EFFICIENT CUSTOMER FOCUSED Back copies are also available on request. SERVICE CONTACT NYK Copyright: Published twice monthly by 4Media, PO Box 6222, Dunedin 9059 All statements made, although based on information believed to be accurate and reliable, Anna Raina cannot be guaranteed, and no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. 021 225 3749 or 09 915 2710 Reproduction of autofile in whole or part, without written permission, whether by xerography or any other means, is strictly forbidden. All rights reserved. [email protected] SUN PHOENIX CO.,LTD. www.autofile.co.nz | 3 news [continued from page 1] Sensors Stored providing real-time information information on: and databases such as: Workshops tackle new technology N user details N vehicles N N historical data infrastructure N “Broadband could have been “The conversations reflected and increase road safety was tabled Vinsen says the IMVIA has formed N users unique identifiers (eg. via smart card use) N timetables cheap in urban areas and expensive where the government’s up to,” – and what could get in the way of no particular views on ITS yet, but is Communications N maps in rural areas where we have tourism says Vinsen. “There are no set ideas that. It was felt the biggest obstacle aware of some of the technology’s and agriculture, so there could be or direction. That’s an observation could be political will. opportunities and the push for it. Communications similarities with ITS,” he says. based on ITS being a technology “This is all the start of cars “We’re also aware since we “But the government is now that’s developing at a rapid rate. talking to cars, cars talking started observing this matter 15 COMPUTER PROCESSING looking at ITS seriously. It’s been “There’s a place for ITS in to infrastructure and active to 18 months ago that it has been Communications CAPACITY dabbling in the past.