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4 July 2008
Government Loses The Plot On Road User Charges
As if the Government’s monstrous faux-pas of imposing overnight, and completely unexpected increases on the road transport industry on the very day that they took control of the sector’s main competitor was not enough, they also took another negative out of the situation by failing to review the inflated charges that continue to be imposed on diesel passenger cars.
“Here was the perfect opportunity for the Government to recognise the beneficial impact on CO2 emissions and global warming provided by small diesel-powered cars through their very low fuel consumption, but not only has the road user charge been increased for this category of vehicle, but it remains virtually the same as the ratet for a three-tonne truck,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association.
“Road User Charges are a legitimate and sensible way of recovering the costs imposed on the roading system by heavy transport, but the concept has not been modified to reflect the times” said Mr. Kerr. “When this regime was imposed it was not designed to cope with lightweight diesel-powered vehicles which do not damage the roads at all. To fix this anomaly would take the simple stroke of a pen, but the Government seems incapable of making this happen, despite the fact that having diesel powered cars paying their rightful share of taxation would actually assist in the achievement of the Government’s own Kyoto targets”.
“We are in total support of the Road Transport Forum’s request that the Government reviews this whole area of taxation and we look forward to the day when an equitable solution can be found to the issue of how to tax lightweight diesel vehicles,” concluded Mr. Kerr.
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3 July 2008
New Vehicle Sales Bounce Back In June
Registrations of new vehicles in New Zealand have defied the economic gloom with a strong bounce back in June. After May results suggested that new vehicles had joined the downturn being experienced in other sectors, June produced a strong recovery.
6753 new cars found owners in June, a 20% increase on the May figure, and a 5.5% increase on June 2007, but new commercial vehicles produced an even more spectacular result. Sales of 2877 new commercial vehicles represented not only a 44% increase on May, but the best June result since 1982.
“This is confirmation that the era of imported used vehicles dominating the New Zealand vehicle market is all but over,” said Perry Kerr. CEO of the Motor Industry Association. “Despite an economy going through tough times, new vehicle sales are continuing at the highest levels seen in the last twenty years.
Toyota continued to dominate the new vehicle market with a year to date share almost double that of their nearest rival. The top selling new car in June (and year to date) was the Toyota Corolla, which is establishing a year to date lead over the Holden Commodore.
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3 June 2008
New vehicle market takes a breather at last
After a solid period of growth lasting the best part of seven years, the new vehicle industry took a breather in the month of May. Although May new car sales of 5627 were slightly up on April’s figure, the month of May was 11.3% down on last May’s 17 year record. New commercial vehicle sales, at 2002, were marginally down on both April 2008 and May 2007. Year to date May, total new vehicle sales were 3.5% up on the same period last year.
“If May’s trend continues into the coming months we may at last be seeing the new vehicle market entering a consolidation phase after a prolonged period of growth,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association. ”This is not entirely unexpected, as the slowing economy has affected virtually every other business sector. There is however, very strong demand for small new cars in particular, and we still expect the full year to yield a similar new vehicle market to that of 2007.”
Toyota continues to lead the new vehicle market, but there is a close battle between Ford and Holden for second place. Corolla continues to edge out Commodore for the position of top selling car model.
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4 March 2008
New Vehicles Sales Defy Economic Uncertainty
Sales of new vehicles in New Zealand continue to run counter to the general economic direction and the falloff in the property market.
6175 new cars were registered in February, 6.6% ahead of February 2007 and more than any other February since 1989. Registrations of new commercial vehicles were even more impressive. 2004 were sold, 18.4% up on the same month last year, and a greater number than any February since 1984.
“This is an amazing start to the year,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association. “After a record January, sales in February continued at an unabated pace on a seasonally adjusted basis. It’s clear that the new vehicle industry is showing more resilience than a number of other sectors.”
Toyota extended their lead as top selling brand, and second place Holden are establishing a margin over Ford in third place.
For individual models, Commodore took the lead over Corolla for the month of February, but Corolla still holds first position year to date. Once again, Suzuki Swift put on an impressive performance to consolidate third position year to date.
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