KEY POINTS:
The days of cheap diesel-powered vehicles appear numbered, with motor vehicle dealers saying proposed Government rules will in effect wipe them off New Zealand roads.
The Government is introducing new rules to help clean up vehicle emission standards and has signalled it intends to ban Japanese-imported, petrol-powered vehicles from 2000 or earlier when the rule becomes law next year.
But Frank Willet, technical services manager of the Independent Motor Vehicle Dealers Association, said the association believed the ban on petrol vehicles was to be softened while diesel vehicles were being clamped down on.
Now only some diesel-powered vehicles manufactured from 2003 onwards would be imported and Mr Willett said in effect this would double the price of these vehicles.
"The reality is the price of these vehicles are so high, you might as well buy a new one," he said.
The price of diesel-powered vehicles would double from about $15,000 to more than $30,000.
"That is going to impact right across the commercial fleet.
"Small businesses, couriers, tradesman, are all going to be affected."
He said all the new rules would do was leave old vehicles on the road, which would belch out more smoke, and increase air pollution, which the new rules had been set up to reduce.
Mr Willett said the Government may give the industry 12 months to let petrol-powered vehicles as old as 1998 into the country before bringing in the tougher regime at the end of next year.
The industry welcomed this as most dealers were finding people wanted to buy a 2000-model car or newer.
But this would push up the price of imported vehicles.
Dunedin car dealer Lloyd Wilson made a submission on the new standard to the Government, and said the elimination of diesel-powered vehicles would lead to the disappearance of plenty of camper vans, small utes and vans.
"It will kill the market. All the newer stuff will get resold in Japan and we can't compete.
"This will have a flow-on effect on tradesmen and lawn mowing contractors.
"They won't be able to buy new 4WDs so will hang on to the old ones."
He said the industry wanted two years' breathing space on petrol-powered vehicles but was given only one year's grace.
"People don't realise the impact it is going to have on them."
Ministry of Transport communication adviser Anna Gilbert would not comment on the proposed emission standards, saying they were still being drafted.
The emissions rule is due to be signed off by Transport Minister Annette King next month and come into force on January 1.
- Otago Daily Times
