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Issue 16-2014 5 September 2014
Opposition voiced to used import changes
In this issue
rganisations representing the new vehicle industry on both sides of the Tasman have raised concerns about the possibility of importation rules on used vehicles going into Australia being relaxed. The Canberra-based Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and New Zealand’s Motor Industry Association (MIA) have criticised recommendations made by the Productivity Commission in its 326-page report. The outcome of its inquiry into automotive manufacturing flags up
p23 Ruling on wear and tear
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the costs and benefits of financial and other assistance in light of Ford, Holden and Toyota closing their Australian production lines. The commission says the government should end all industry-related funding when local car manufacturing ends in late 2017. Its recommendations – first reported by Autofile Online on August 26 – have sparked off fresh debate in both countries about relaxing the rules on used vehicles going into Australia. The commission says this should happen no earlier than
2018 and initially be limited to vehicles no more than five years old when they cross the border, while a standards-based approach may also be adopted. The report also tackles restrictions on used imports through Australia’s Motor Vehicle Standards Act, which is subject to a separate review. Restrictions through that legislation currently arise from the need to obtain import approvals, without which no road vehicles may enter the country. The commission adds that luxury car tax, which applies
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access is a privilege, not a right,” says Knight. MotorWeb says any registered dealers who flout the regulations will be banned from using its online services, which will have serious implications on the way their businesses operate. For many years, access to names and addresses on the motor vehicle register was
p10 Great results for industry p12 Focus on Ford NZ’s boss p18 Supercar emissions drop
p24 Sales statistics – in-depth
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Dealers caught breaking law
ctions by two individuals have seen their access to name and address information on MotorWeb revoked. Chris Knight, the company’s general manager, urges all registered motor vehicle traders (RMVTs) to obtain the personal details of car owners for approved purposes only. “It’s important to remember this
p6 Used sector’s views on Oz
available to the general public. However, this changed when new legislation came into effect on May 1, 2011, meaning only authorised types of businesses – such as RMVTs – complying with section 241 of the Land Transport Act 1998 (LTA) are now able to access this information. “MotorWeb provides a service for
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Premium compact SUV makes ‘bold statement’
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