Govt Decision on Used Vehicle Emissions supported

Media Release
28 August 2009

New Vehicle Industry Supports Government’s Decision on Used Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Economy

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) has come out in support of the government’s decisions that it has decided the requirements for used diesel vehicles to meet minimum emissions standards will not be delayed and that it will not progress the development of a regulated vehicle fuel economy standard.

Responding to the announcements by Transport Minister, Hon Steven Joyce, MIA CEO Perry Kerr was pleased that common sense had prevailed for both issues.

“New Zealand in terms of its vehicles fleet is very old and it is important that we have vehicles meeting the latest possible emissions standards, said Kerr.

The MIA would also like to acknowledge that the government is not proceeding with a fuel economy (C02) standard at this stage,” said Kerr.

If it had come to fruition the fuel economy standard would have meant that importers of less fuel efficient vehicles would have had to buy credits, with vehicles with greater fuel efficiency being awarded credits.

“The new vehicle industry is currently importing fuel-efficient vehicles and will continue to do so in terms of meeting its obligations, we feel that this kind of legislation was not needed for the New Zealand industry.”

In conclusion Mr Kerr said “this was a very sensible move by the government and that such a scheme would have been costly to administer with ultimately motorists footing the bill”

ENDS

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