Road Safety Fears with New Regime
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The trusted voice of the auto industry for more than 25 years Issue 1-2014 www.autofile.co.nz 13 January 2014 In this issue Road safety fears p 10 Trade Me on buy-out p 11 Ferraris set for record p 12 Winning cars of 2013 with new regime p 14 Profile on VINZ chief ajor concerns have to warrants of fitness (WOFs). “relatively low level of competitive p 18 Energy sources shift been raised by New Key features of the new COF intensity”, but VTNZ, VINZ and the Zealand’s three regime to be introduced on July 1 AA are unimpressed with the new p 24 In-depth vehicle stats Mtransport service delivery agents include: COF model. (TSDAs) over the latest overhaul of More organisations inspecting A handful of organisations the vehicle inspection sector. and repairing vehicles. have indicated they want to get The industry is likely to Companies being able to into vehicle inspections as soon as change beyond all recognition “bundle” servicing, repairs possible, says Frank Willett, VINZ’s when the new certificate of and COFs. chief executive officer. fitness (COF) regime comes in. More inspection sites “A lot are more dubious or are Details are outlined in the and canning some site awaiting more details,” he told NZTA’s service delivery regulatory requirements. Autofile. “Criteria for inspector Trusted for model – a 51-page document and site approvals have to be on opening up the market – and The NZTA stresses the current confirmed, and some requirements over 25 years come under the Vehicle Licensing system prevents other providers could increase in complexity.” Freephone: 0800 435 7868 [email protected] • www.protecta.co.nz Reform (VLR) following changes entering the industry, which has a [continued on page 4] Kiwis’ Holden supply secure p21 he delivery of new vehicles However, General Motors’ (GM) About 3,000 Holden workers at to New Zealand should decision has thrown more doubt Elizabeth, South Australia, and in be unaffected by Holden’s onto the future of the automotive Melbourne will be affected, while Tdecision to pull the plug on making industry across the Tasman. the car component industry is cars in Australia in three years’ time. Ford Australia is due to stop expected to be severely hit. Although there may be some production in 2016 and there are At the moment, Holden New issues with parts being supplied concerns Toyota may also exit Zealand imports between 250 Slice of American to this country when its two plants the sector – and all this follows and 280 units per month from Pie celebrates there close, the marque insists Mitsubishi closing its operations Australia split between four vehicles sold here will be supported. in 2008. [continued on page 7] 50th birthday 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 Protect your investment with MAY COVER EXISTING DAMAGE EASY TO INSTALL AND REMOVE PREVENTS KERBING DAMAGE RANGE OF COLOURS COST-EFFECTIVE “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 Silly season still in full swing t’s been the time of year to show delivery agents (TSDAs) work goodwill, but what happens to keep the fleet safe. Or are we now the festive season is over? looking at change for change’s sake? IShould we display hostility to It’s an obvious question because it’s EDITOR ADVERTISING everyone, or continue exuding hard to see where the cost savings Darren Risby Brian McCutcheon kindness and friendliness? It seems will come from. [email protected] [email protected] more appropriate to pay it forward One thing is more important 021 137 5430 021 455 775 all-year around. than money though and that’s life. JOURNALIST & ONLINE PRODUCER DESIGNER The season to be jolly saw a The three TSDAs – the experts, Cameron Carpenter Adrian Payne government press release exclaim in many people’s books – have [email protected] [email protected] “summer is here” while promoting predicted a drop in vehicle safety Bike Wise Month in February. Autofile is also available as an electronic copy via email. If you’d like to receive electronic by opening up the COF inspection copies please send an email with your name and organisation to: [email protected]. Its advice included it being market along with “bundling” it Back copies are also available on request. important for drivers and cyclists to with repairs and servicing. Copyright: Published twice monthly by 4Media, PO Box 6222, Dunedin 9059 “look out for each other and share You don’t have to be a crackerjack All statements made, although based on information believed to be accurate and reliable, the road safely”. to realise the in-service failure of cannot be guaranteed, and no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Reproduction of autofile in whole or part, without written permission, whether by xerography “Be prepared” by checking trucks is likely to be catastrophic. or any other means, is strictly forbidden. All rights reserved. brakes, tyres, lights and reflectors, Last year, the NZTA engaged “ride in a straight line” and “use with COF providers and the cycle lanes when you can”. industry for three rounds of Other pearls of wisdom from the reference group meetings, and it’s agency charged with implementing no wonder TSDA representatives road-safety initiatives were “try not to were banned from discussing the HAPPY hold up traffic and use lights at night”. proposals during this so-called WITH YOUR CURRENT It’s good to see road safety “consultation process”. being taken so seriously because You can add “democracy” and ARE YOU VEHICLE SUPPLIER a cohesive approach is what Safer “predetermined outcome” to the list ? Journeys is all about. of words “transport officials” need WHAT YOU GET WITH But that’s where any to get to grips with, along with consistency seems to end and the flawed mantra of “maintain or where government policies crash improve safety while cutting costs”. into each other head-on. The NZTA’s COF model states Three words: Vehicle Licensing approach principles “have been RELIABILITY Reform (VLR). Three more words: underpinned by a process that’s First choice for NZ dealers for 20 years certificate of fitness (COF). Two inclusive and informed by feedback EXPERIENCE words: Safer Journeys. And the from stakeholders”. Our buyers are knowledgeable about NZ dealers requirements cohesion between those eight So what right did the VLR team words? None, it would appear. have to bar VTNZ, VINZ and the CHOICE 100,000 vehicles per week available through our auction search engine Three words could sum up the AA from talking to, or answering new COF regime’s service delivery questions from, the media during STOCK READY FOR SHIPPING Extensive range of pre-purchased stock available for shipping NOW regulatory model – “what a joke” – the process? although it’s anything but funny. It’s worth bearing in mind PEACE OF MIND All vehicles Ramp Inspected before departure Calls by VINZ, VTNZ and the AA it wanted its views of the COF to retain independence in this part process represented in the press. TRUE DEALER WHOLESALE of the inspection industry have The NZTA can email editor@ Fixed fee includes all Japan side: transport, documents and taxes fallen on deaf ears or have been autofile.co.nz if it wants to provide STRICTLY DEALER ONLY brushed under the carpet. any answers. Why not have your Heiwa Auto never sell or export vehicles to private buyers Worse still, they could result say by writing in? Reece McKerrow Ph: 021 988 727 Greg Bardsley Ph: 0279 363 595 from extensive lobbying and vested www.heiwa-auto.co.nz interests while the transport service Darren Risby, editor www.autofile.co.nz | 3 news [continued from page 1] Approval criteria to be set Potential service providers with delivery review some time back. changes should lower barriers for it appears previous investment financial interests in vehicles may It found inspection times to be new market entrants. wasn’t needed in the first place. want to inspect them, but will be reasonable although there was “Current requirements mean “TSDAs have had to comply and barred from doing so. mention of associated additional TSDAs have to provide premises now the rules get changed. We “Take COF A and taxis,” explains costs in time and travel.” to a prescriptive standard,” cannot just change our facilities to Willett. “Vehicles that are owner- The NZTA claims prices charged explains Willett. the new requirements, so we’ve got operated cannot be COF inspected are unregulated and vary by “This has resulted in facilities to work with these changes.” by the owner-operator. Rental provider and vehicle. commanding high rents and Willett disagrees with the companies will likely be unable to agency’s view on a lack of ‘self-inspect and certify’ either. competition. “My understanding is COF A “Throughout this process, I’ve and COF B will be ‘unbundled’, so a “Current providers will be maintained test lanes are empty garage carrying out WOFs may be for hours at certain times and eligible to offer COF As.” able to consider changes there’s always capacity.