VOLUME 6 ISSUE 10 NOVEMBER 2015 “DOING THE BASICS” WILL MAKE YOU MORE MONEY FIND OUT ON PAGE 22 EV pioneer switches on to trucks x-pat Kiwi engineer Ian Wright - co-founder of Tesla Eand founder of Wrightspeed - thinks much of the EV push is misdirected. Auckland mayor Len Brown, president of Penske Transportation Group International Randall Seymour While in Auck- and chairman of Penske Automotive Group Roger Penske. land in October for the transport fuels and fleet management Penske says ‘not at this summit, Wright took time from his schedule Ian Wright time’ for NZ automotive to speak to DIESELTalk editor Robert Barry. lobal automotive icon Roger sales, parts and leasing and was an He believes that when the Penske has not ruled out early investor in online vehicle sites. automotive world looked to de- Ginvesting in the New Zealand He is a motorsport legend, and velop electric vehicle solutions to automotive market, in the long term. owner of a number of teams, includ- save fossil fuels, the manufactur- Penske has interests including ing the former Dick Johnson Racing ers asked the wrong question. automotive retail, truck distribution, Continued on page 3 “They didn’t ask, how can we save the most fuel per vehicle per INSIDE year?” he says. Import dealer to list? 3 Read the full interview with Industry backs Green move 4 Wright in DIESELTalk, out Tuesday Familiar face returns to financier 6 morning. Go to DIESELTalk.co.nz New player for Auction market 8 3 6 to subscribe. GLOBAL VEHICLE LOGISTICS NZ · JAPAN · AUSTRALIA · UK · EUROPE FOUNDATION SPONSORS AutoTalk acknowledges the support of our foundation sponsors: Vehicle Inspection NZ WEEKLY PASSENGER & COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AUCTIONS 2 | AUTOTALK NOVEMBER 2015 | www.autotalk.co.nz NEWSTALK 2 Cheap to list? AutoTalk Magazine and autotalk.co.nz are published by Auto Media Group Cheap Cars has confirmed it will be self-funded,” he says. “But 8/152 Quay Street, Limited. is considering an Initial Public our goal is to become a multina- P.O. Box 10 50 10, Auckland City, 1030. 2 Offering for the company as tional.” Ph. 09 309 2444. it continues to grow – and looks The target market: Australia. beyond our shores. “In Australia we would like to be MANAGING EDITOR “It is something that is on the ta- in a position to make a big move Richard Edwards ble in terms of our expansion,” said when the [so-called grey market] 021 556 655 chief executive Eugene Williams. market opens there.” [email protected] “At the moment it is a possibility.” He says despite the current Eugene Williams “At the moment the focus is on network the company has in New PUBLISHER putting together a high-level management Zealand, there are regions where he sees Vern Whitehead team,” Williams explains, noting the hiring room for expansion. 021 831 153 of former Autosure national sales manager 2 Cheap is about to open the doors on [email protected] Darren Marmont as vice-president, and its first ‘new’ vehicle dealer – selling parallel that it is looking to employ a chartered ac- imported vehicles from Japan, in Greenlane, countant as chief financial officer. Auckland. CHIEF REPORTER Robert Barry He says the company has international Currently, there are only two publically- 022 0180 998 aspirations, and that is where IPO funding listed dealer groups in New Zealand, Co- [email protected] will be required. lonial Motor Company and Australian giant “Any further expansion in New Zealand Automotive Holdings Group. SALES MANAGER Dale Stevenson 021 446 214 Penske says ‘not at this time’ [email protected] Continued from page 1 Penske Commercial Vehicles and Pen- OPERATIONS Australian Supercar team. ske Power Systems under the one roof, MANAGER His automotive retail businesses, most- including 90 staff. Deborah Baxter ly under the New York Stock Exchange- It will be home to Western Star Trucks, 027 530 5016 [email protected] Listed Penske Automotive Group of which MAN Truck & Bus, Dennis Eagle, MTU and he is chairman and chief executive, make Detroit. him one of the largest car dealers in the “This represents a significant invest- IDENTICAR world. ment for the company, and demonstrates MANAGER Penske was in New Zealand to open our commitment to dealers and custom- John Stephens the South Auckland headquarters for Pen- ers in the region.” 027 530 5023 [email protected] ske’s truck-focussed interests here. The new facility compliments Penske’s Asked AutoTalk if he was looking to ex- established Bay of Plenty operations. Auto Media Group Limited makes pand into the automotive retailing space Penske’s business have a staggering every endeavour to ensure here, he indicated, not at this time, but foothold in automotive retail worldwide, information contained in this wouldn’t rule out the possibility of doing it representing over 40 brands through 341 publication is accurate, however in the future. franchises, mostly in the United States, we are not liable for any losses or issues resulting from its use. “If we don’t do well selling trucks out United Kingdom and Western Europe. Annual subscription: of here, we might have to look into cars,” The Penske California dealer operation, $72 + gst ($82.80) he joked, to the applause of the crowd.” Penske Motor Group, operates the world’s Printed by: Alpine Printers. The purpose built facility is Penske’s largest car dealership, Longo Toyota, largest New Zealand operation, and brings which covers 50 acres. autotalk.co.nz INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS RECOGNISED BY dieseltalk.co.nz autotalk.com.au carandsuv.co.nz CAR & SUV identicar.co.nz AUTOTALK NOVEMBER 2015 | www.autotalk.co.nz | 3 NEWSTALK Industry backs electrifying proposal proposal to give a tax break putting clean cars within spectrum of things that can to businesses that acquire almost everyone’s reach be done. A electric vehicles for staff in just a few years,” Gen- Pyle says his organisation use has found favour within the ter explains. is working on a ‘road-map’ of automotive industry. Transport minister initiatives that can assist, from Green Party transport Simon Bridges has been government moves like this, spokeswoman Julie Anne a proponent of electric through to charging infra- Genter, and co-leader vehicle technology, but structure and parking. They James Shaw, are to intro- has been criticised to want to see all players work- duce a private members David Crawford his hands-off, market- Eric Pyle ing together to avoid duplica- bill into parliament that will led approach to the tion of services. exempt electric vehicles from Fringe issue. While the FBT cut would save busi- Benefit Tax. It is expected he will release further nesses money, he notes not all EV “Tax breaks for businesses who incentives for the purchase of the vehi- buyers are looking simply at the bottom choose electric cars provide a major cles before the end of this year. line. cash incentive to switch to a clean, Eric Pyle, chief executive of Drive “For some it will be the cost reduc- efficient fleet, cutting the upfront cost Electric, is giving his support to the sug- tion, some it might be parking, others of an electric car by up to 36%, with gestion. charging infrastructure,” Pyle says. “We further savings over the life of the car,” “We welcome initiatives that are need to cater to all these people and Genter says. going to increase the uptake of EVs, their needs. “We’ll also give tax breaks to com- and FBT is an option that has been “The minister is talking about re- panies who provide their staff with discussed for some time,” said Pyle. leasing a package for EVs this side of public transport passes instead of free “I think it would be a signal from the Christmas, let’s wait and see what the carparks. government of the day that they are government comes up with.” “By dramatically increasing the behind the uptake of this technology.” Motor Industry Association chief ex- number of new electric cars in New Pyle notes it would increase business ecutive David Crawford says his group Zealand, we’ll pave the way for a large confidence in purchasing such vehi- is well behind such a policy and has told second-hand market for electric cars, cles, but says it is only one of a broad the government so. “The MIA has been on the public record that if the government wants to increase the uptake of plug-in electric vehicles, an FBT holiday is a good option,” Crawford says. “Currently 70% of new vehicles are purchased by businesses, so Fast Approval. Competitive rates. assisting them could make a real difference.” Crawford says the premium price Shift your sales of plug-in options is a constraint for fleet operators, and this could make a into top gear. difference. He says indications from Treasury are that such a move is difficult as it To find out how we can may open the doors to others seeking help drive more vehicle tax relief. sales for your business talk “But we have a precedent here, to us on 0800 269 100 or as theses vehicles already have an visit www.udc.co.nz exemption from Road User Charges until 2020,” he notes. “The government should seriously look at this as an option.” 4 | AUTOTALK NOVEMBER 2015 | www.autotalk.co.nz NEWSTALK MTA finance company on the cards? he incoming president “MTA would consider alternatives to recreate of the Motor Trade As- the concept for the benefit of its members” Tsociation has suggest- ed that a co-operative style – Dave Harris. finance company is required in the automotive industry, and that the association may cided to sell out to corporate need to ensure its members move to assure one exists.