THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

August issue out now

Drive Electric warns New Zealand risks being left increasingly “isolated” from the global supply of EVs unless there are consistent policy signals and shared political commitment across electoral cycles. Its election manifesto outlines strategic priorities when it comes to supply and demand.

Vehicle depreciation needs to be considered by the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal when rulings go in favour of buyers to help create a “fairer playing field”. The MTA is also lobbying for the Consumer Guarantees Act to be updated.

David Sena, chief executive officer of 2 Cheap Cars, says the company will realise its “full potential” by being delisted from the NZX and privately owned. Autofile delves into his takeover bid.

BMW was the big winner in the inaugural CarExpert Choice Awards with its models claiming five out of 21 categories. The awards recognise brands supplying the “most compelling” new vehicles to the Kiwi market. 

Selling cars remains the biggest driver of Turners Automotive Group’s performance. It delivers most of the company’s revenue and a strong profit share even amid the economic slowdown. We look into the drivers of its past financial year.

• Michelle Povey, of Toyota NZ, explains what Service 10+ is all about. It’s a servicing option the brand has introduced for its vehicles more than 10 years old.

• James Hendry, of AdTorque Edge, explains how TikTok is reshaping the car-buying journey and how dealers can boost business by using the platform.

• Steve Vermeulen, of Trade Me Motors, explores the signs of changing consumer behaviour. The rapid rise in consideration for Chinese cars is one of the clearest signs.

• Chief executive Aimee Wiley explains how the MIA may support the government’s policy objectives but identifies changes in its submissions that would make proposals more effective. 

• VIA’s Kit Wilkerson says proper market-impact analysis by the government should find out what vehicles will be available in Japan, at what prices and in which specifications when it comes to supply-side policies.

• Car dealers need to get to grips with updated guidance on reporting suspicious activity linked to financing terrorism and money laundering.

Plus: Sir Scott Dixon interview, company fined for selling car with a tampered odometer, industry movers and in-depth statistics for July.

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Autofile magazine 2026 / 8
August ’26

Drive Electric warns New Zealand risks being left increasingly “isolated” from the global supply of EVs unless there are consistent policy signals and shared political commitment across el

Magazine04 Aug, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 7
July ’26

The MTA is calling on politicians to set up a training fund to support businesses taking on apprentices and a scrappage scheme to clean up the fleet. The items are included in its roadmap published ah

Magazine05 Jul, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 6
June ’26

Drive Electric says New Zealand’s switch to EVs needs cross-party support. Its State of the Nation 2026 report laments a setback for the transition after clean-car policies have been “virt

Magazine04 Jun, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 5
May ’26

VIA’s chief executive explains why used imports should be spared from the clean vehicle standard (CVS) and urges the coalition to focus on measures that encourage fleet renewal. Greig Epps&rsquo

Magazine04 May, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 4
April ’26

MITO bosses tell Autofile what its priorities and challenges are now the training organisation is under industry ownership, with getting more learners into automotive careers and keeping them up to da

Magazine06 Apr, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 3
March ’26

The number of used imports attracting border damage flags has more than doubled in the past year, despite the volume of cars coming into New Zealand dropping. VIA, which is in talks with the NZTA abou

Magazine05 Mar, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 2
February ’26

The Motor Trade Association is lobbying for a maximum age of 10 years by 2030 for used cars coming into New Zealand to act as a safety proxy for entrants to the fleet. Find out why with Autofile. T

Magazine04 Feb, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 1
January ’26

The government is being warned older cars will stay in the fleet for longer if ADAS mandates prevent safer models being imported, with industry associations also calling for realistic transition times

Magazine13 Jan, 2026
Autofile magazine 2025 / 12
December ’25

Regulators give their advice to loan providers in the automotive space as oversight of the non-banking sector is set to transfer from the Commerce Commission to the Financial Markets Authority. We

Magazine04 Dec, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 11
November ’25

Autofile talks to experts about the downturn as dealer numbers drop, some sectors suffer more than others and the risk of liquidations is “fairly high”. It’s not all bad news, though

Magazine05 Nov, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 10
October ’25

The number of registered traders has fallen to a 13-year low amid conditions many describe as among the toughest New Zealand’s vehicle market has experienced. We talk to three experts about what

Magazine05 Oct, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 9
September ’25

The industry has broadly welcomed a major revamp of the clean car standard. The government plans to scrap the weight-adjustment system for imported passenger and light commercial vehicles. It will als

Magazine07 Sep, 2025