Matt Greenop: Safety gets cheaper

NZ Herald

5 Sep, 2014 05:00 PM2 mins to read

The safety technology in modern vehicles has advanced hugely and we're lagging behind.

It's fairly irrelevant whether you're buying cheap undies from the Red Shed, or getting behind the wheel of a fanciful high-spec Japanese imported car, the consumer advantage is only one side of the story.

Yes, it's nice to get tricked-up cars out of Japan, but it's our open border policy that's squarely to blame for our ancient fleet.

The average age of our vehicles is shameful compared to other developed countries - and there's a solid set of stats that say we're more likely to die at the wheel as a result.

The safety technology in modern vehicles has advanced hugely and we're lagging behind.

• For more car news go to nzherald.co.nz/driven

ESC (commonly referred to as stability control) is becoming compulsory in New Zealand - several years behind most other developed countries. The OECD puts the likelihood of serious injury in a single car accident is 46 per cent higher without ESC. That's a good stack of dead Kiwis that would still be among us had the powers that be applied the ruling a few years ago.

But with an influx of new cars under the $20K mark - particularly the new cars out of the Chinese market, and budget small cars, the Kiwi consumer is arguably in a better position to buy new.

• Read more New cars for under $20k

There's obviously a decision to make on whether a lower-spec new car is a better buy than highly featured used cars. This comes down to added value. To keep the sales pumping through, many dealers are throwing in extended warranties, roadside assistance and big service plans.

When it comes to more luxury-focused machines Kiwi-new cars are generally packed with goodies at the base end of their respective ranges. So-called "poverty pack" cars drag down residual value, and customers at this end of the market need to be protected, especially with lower-spec ex-demo imports coming from places like the UK. Of course, the end decision comes down to consumer preference - and with the new-car industry posting record sales year after a year, it seems to favour the newer models.