August/September 2019 MARK’S MUSINGS
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August/September 2019 MARK’S MUSINGS Sunny Spring greetings is known as a ‘supply side’ intervention from Wellington, where (with importers paying the penalty to the season seems to have Government, or receiving ‘credits’ if the arrived based on the average emissions of all vehicles sold in a weather of the last few year is under the target) whereas the weeks. Those who joined feebate is a ‘demand side’ intervention, us at the VCC classic car with no money going to Government, but show on 25 August were instead buyers either incurring the fee or blessed with superb receiving a rebate. So, there’s actually the weather (see overleaf). potential for both financial penalties to apply. Confused? I told you it was In this magazine I’ve complicated! reproduced an article from an online motoring What’s interesting is the vehicle industry is journal speculating about Fiats future saying the proposal could actually lead to Committee: models. It seems they have no plans to the demise of some small, relatively fuel- President/Editor: replace the current 124 Spider, in fact no efficient cars in NZ. This is because the Mark Stockdale plans for a sports model at all. I don’t know standard is weight-adjusted, recognising where that leaves the recently-revised that large cars (e.g. SUVs) are heavier and [email protected] Abarth nameplate, but that seems a shame so use more fuel. So small cars have to meet Ph. 021434097 given Fiats long history of sports cars. a tougher target. But in each class, some Wisely, they are replacing the new (should models are more fuel-efficient than others. that be New Nuova?) 500, which has But as proposed, many small cars will end Secretary/Membership: proven to be very successful. But this time up paying a penalty – maybe a couple of Paul Morgan it will be electric, which means it will be thousand dollars (note, I’m not referring to more expensive, so it will be interesting to the feebate, which is the same regardless of [email protected] see how that pans out. But that makes the vehicle weight or size). And because small Ph. 0272486881 absence of a true sports model all the more cars cost less, this penalty might price them of a missed opportunity, since EVs can be out of the market. Whereas a similar very sporty to drive with their rapid penalty on a new and bigger $40,000 car Treasurer: acceleration and low centre of gravity. The will be easier for the buyer to swallow. Mike Lynskey article is just one journalists view after all, That’s what’s interesting about the car [email protected] so it remains to be seen what Fiat will do. One thing we do know is that currently the industry – small cars have never been very Ph. 0274359309 brand does not have much of an offering in profitable, it’s the big, more luxurious models that have a decent margin. Globally, NZ – just the Spider and Ducato van. major manufacturers are said to be moving Members: Speaking of EVs, some will have heard of away from making small, cheap models, Stuart Becker the Government’s plans to introduce a because the cost of fuel-efficient technology feebate scheme (basically meaning fee/ means they can’t sell them at a price the [email protected] rebate) to increase the uptake of EVs. How public are willing to pay. Here in NZ the Ph. 021434746 it works is that new or used imports that industry says margins on small cars are emit above the target CO2 emissions “wafer thin” – perhaps just a few hundred (phased in to be 105g CO2 per km by 2025) dollars for a new car that might cost Phil Ward will pay a fee, which will be used to $20,000. I know this to be the case, as I [email protected] subsidise the cost of fuel-efficient cars that have a relative who works for a major Ph. 02102476669 emit below the target. EVs of course get the distributor. He told me they bought in one biggest subsidy (up to $8000), but hybrids model where every unit was sold at a loss of are eligible too. None of this applies to over $5000. It sounds nuts, but this is quite Bruce McCaw vehicles already in NZ. These schemes common. Unless you’re buying a new apply in many countries, and the whole Mercedes, Lexus or Ferrari, the chances are [email protected] climate change issue is one reason why Fiat the dealer made very little on the sale. 021545844 is looking at large-scale EV production, Where they make the money of course is on along with most other brands. If they don’t, servicing and expensive parts…and of the penalties imposed in other countries course in order to make money on Club email: [email protected] will be prohibitive. servicing, you first need to sell a car. That’s how the industry has evolved. So, the future Public commentary so far has focussed on may mean we can no longer buy new small, the feebate scheme, but in fact the proposal Club Facebook page: cheap petrol cars – something that Fiat in is more complicated than that, as it also particular was renowned for. Interesting www.facebook.com/focnz will introduce fuel efficiency standards with times! a separate penalty to apply to (new and used) imports that exceed the standard. But Website: www.fiatnz.co.nz unlike a feebate, this will be averaged Mark Stockdale across all vehicles sold by an importer. This FOCNZ President 2 CLUB EVENTS Vintage Car Club Daffodil Rally for Cancer, 25 August A total of 7 cars turned out for this popular event, which has grown from last year and featured a large number of classic cars of all makes and models. We were blessed by superb early Spring weather and joined by new committee member’s Bruce McCaw’s 124 Spider which was driven instead by son Hamish, along with recently re-joined member John Lewis in his latest purchase – a 20V Coupe. Also attending were Sam Mills in his rare Yugo, and Stuart Becker in his 124 coupe. (above) New member John Lewis’ 20V Coupe in foreground Spotted elsewhere on display was a Fiat Topolino, and a nicely -restored Bambina. NEW MEMBERS The club’s display at Queen Elizabeth park A warm welcome to new members who have joined us in the last few months: Melanie Morgan, Wellington – 1974 Fiat 132 1600 John Lewis, Waikanae – 1999 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo Ashton McCaughan, Auckland James Lee, Auckland – 1974 Fiat 124 CC coupe (above) 1937 Fiat Topolino James Lee with his new pride and joy 3 FIAT 500 FAMILY GROWS ELECTRIC AS POWER SURGES FORWARD by Jason King, www.enzari.com François the electric 500 will have a modular battery system with a range rating of around 100km as standard. This can be Fiat struck gold when it relaunched the Fiat 500 in 2007, not upgraded “by renting, buying or leasing” extra battery cells. a housing estate or street in the UK doesn’t seem to have one The Fiat boss states “only the A- and B-segments can generate parked up and with over 2 million sold the 500 is going from hundreds of thousands of EV sales”, and believes the electric strength to strength. Now it seem’s the chic city car will 500 can make a real change as the company “sells one in three spearhead Fiat’s switch to electric power. small cars [across Europe] with the 500 and Panda.” According to a recent high-level The next-generation Fiat Panda meeting at FCA at the Turin design due to arrive in 2021, will get an centre, led by Fiat chief executive, all-electric version with the design Oliver François, the Italian car based on the Fiat Centoventi manufacturer continued its concept revealed earlier this year. commitment to its flourishing city Other models set for car business as well as a selection electrification are the 500X and of larger vehicles. François was the upcoming 500 Giardiniera quoted as saying: “Fiat has a which is expected to replace the double mission. Urban mobility is ‘love it or hate it’ Fiat 500L. The core today, but at the same time, it Fiat 500 Giardiniera will have a means family transportation. In Mild Hybrid version, with the southern Europe, this is especially FireFly engine flanked by an true,” electric engine, when it arrives, “For our future product plan, we with a fully electric version need the right balance between the following shortly after. two dimensions: the Fiat 500 family and family The question mark over the Tipo remains however, some have transportation. There will be no big cars, no premium cars, no suggested it could be replaced by a small SUV based on the sporty cars because they have no legitimacy. We will be same platform as the Jeep Renegade, however as Oliver present in the C-segment [Ford Focus class] but not much François comments suggest, anything bigger than C-segment more. All models will sit within 3.5m and 4.5m. This is where is a no go, and with the 500X in the range it doesn’t need Fiat will play. We need more EVs. And we need more 500 another small SUV. models that look legitimate enough to take higher pricing,” the chief executive confirmed. This seem’s to suggest we can rule a new 124 Spider out (unless it is Abarth only), the Tipo long rumoured to be killed off will indeed be the case, with the Fiat 500 family growing, leading the charge with five electric/plug-in hybrid models.