confusing 'unsafe' used car import ban

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kingdragonfly

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#251371 22-Jun-2019 07:48

https://www.driven.co.nz/news/news/demio-and-swift-on-chopping-block-in-confusing-unsafe-used-import-ban/

Demio and Swift on chopping block in confusing 'unsafe' used import ban

B Matthew Hansen

Calls for a ban on 'unsafe' used imports to be banned from entering the New Zealand market are gathering momentum, following today's declaration of support from the Motor Industry Association.

Unsafe, in theory anyway, is reference to the potential move to ban cars that only have a one or two-star safety rating — a push that was one of the top five priorities of the Vehicle. Vehicle Standards and Certification Reference Group. They're one of five groups who are advising the government on its new road safety strategy.

Cars that are have been reported on as vulnerable to the ban include all models of Mazda Demio, pre-2016 Suzuki Swifts, and pre-2008 Toyota Corollas. But, the Demio (in its 'Mazda 2' guise) scored a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2008 and 2012 (plus a four-star rating in 2010), and the Swift scored a four-star and five-star rating in 2008 and 2012, respectively. The Corolla, meanwhile, has never strayed from either four or five stars in ANCAP tests dating all the way back to 2006.

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#2262292 22-Jun-2019 08:23

Rather than have a used car safety rating, which I believe uses crash statistics to determine its 'safeness', the regulators (not the MIA, which had a vested interest in selling new vehicles) should produce a 'minimum equipment list' for used imports.
This should include multiple airbags, ESC, etc.
While helping my son with the purchase of a car recently I was disappointed to see the number of imports that still only have two airbags. To get a 'safe' vehicle we ended up with a NZ new one that had a five star ANCAP rating when it was new but higher kms than the equivalent import.
If the crash ratings rely on statistics, does the fact that the Swift, Demio/M2 and Corolla are the most plentiful small cars on the road have anything to do with it?
Is a shame that the only qualification you need to be the Associate Transport Minister is to know what a car looks like and be able to ride a bike.

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MikeB4

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#2262293 22-Jun-2019 08:29

These cars may not get 5 stars today but how many older cars would. If this were to be implemented things will get worse not better. Our already aging fleet will just get older and more unsafe. Folks who buy older imports are not suddenly going to be able to afford new or near new cars.

The all seems to be being generated in the marketing department of a failing new car seller, GMH? maybe?

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Technofreak

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#2262299 22-Jun-2019 08:53

Dingbatt:
Is a shame that the only qualification you need to be the Associate Transport Minister is to know what a car looks like and be able to ride a bike.

One of the better quotes I've seen in a while. I feel sure this applies just as much in relation to another motoring thread on here.

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gzt

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#2262311 22-Jun-2019 09:31

I've seen this mentioned several times on different news services. Looks like a lot of speculation and no facts. It's not explained. What is the change proposed exactly?

ZollyMonsta

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#2262362 22-Jun-2019 11:03

gzt: I've seen this mentioned several times on different news services. Looks like a lot of speculation and no facts. It's not explained. What is the change proposed exactly?

Exactly my thoughts. We have a 2006 Suzuki Swift so concerned it’s going to be banned from being n the road at some point.

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richms

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#2262363 22-Jun-2019 11:05

ZollyMonsta:
gzt: I've seen this mentioned several times on different news services. Looks like a lot of speculation and no facts. It's not explained. What is the change proposed exactly?

Exactly my thoughts. We have a 2006 Suzuki Swift so concerned it’s going to be banned from being n the road at some point.

They dont ban existing cars from being on the road, its the importation of them that they will stop.

People who buy demios, marches, cubes and other things like that clearly dont care about driving so I would expect them to be much higher in the crash stats because those turds are only owned by people that need a box to move them from place A to B.

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#2262367 22-Jun-2019 11:12

It's basically a Media beat up so they can get a screaming headline "Government to Ban something popular"

Yes NZTA is looking at it, but no decisions have been made, and its going to be overtaken by the already long announced ban on used imports without ESC that will come into force in March 2020 anyway

From 2016...

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/next-phase-electronic-stability-control

"From 1 July 2015, ESC became mandatory for all new cars, vans, four-wheel drives and goods vehicles imported into New Zealand.

ESC requirements for other vehicles coming into New Zealand will be phased in as follows:

Used class MA vehicles (passenger cars) with engine capacity greater than two litres from 1 March 2018
All other used class MA, MB and NA light passenger and goods vehicles inspected at the border from 1 March 2020.

kingdragonfly

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#2262447 22-Jun-2019 14:02

richms: People who buy demios, marches, cubes and other things like that clearly dont care about driving so I would expect them to be much higher in the crash stats because those turds are only owned by people that need a box to move them from place A to B.

Heavily used by tradies, one of the least safe vehicles is the popular Mitsubishi L300 / Express van

kingdragonfly

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#2262452 22-Jun-2019 14:06

Also 2018/2019 Jeep Wrangler

Aredwood

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#2262500 22-Jun-2019 14:54

kingdragonfly:
richms: People who buy demios, marches, cubes and other things like that clearly dont care about driving so I would expect them to be much higher in the crash stats because those turds are only owned by people that need a box to move them from place A to B.

Heavily used by tradies, one of the least safe vehicles is the popular Mitsubishi L300 / Express van

And this is what really annoys me. As the above van was still sold new until 2014. And alot of the people who drive them would be employees who have no choice in what vehicle they get to drive. A 2008 Corolla or Swift is still light years ahead in safety compared to an L300.

The government just needs to enforce the workplace safety laws in relation to vehicle safety. In any other western country, providing such an unsafe work vehicle to your employees would be a guaranteed way to be sued.

robjg63

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#2262643 22-Jun-2019 17:23

When sold new in NZ, a vehicle should have a mandatory safety rating. For example, nothing less than (say) 4 stars should be allowed.

The NZ new Suzuki swift appears to have a good rating with plenty of airbags etc. The problem is the same Japanese domestic models that are being imported, do not. So should not be allowed into the country. Simple enough. Bringing in underspecced used junk should stop.

Don't know what any of this has to do with a transport minister riding a bike.

I am sure there will be many people who are quite appalled to find out we have been allowing so many cars with such limited safety features to come in the 'back door. About time it stopped I think.

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Technofreak

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#2262705 22-Jun-2019 20:51

MikeB4:

These cars may not get 5 stars today but how many older cars would. If this were to be implemented things will get worse not better. Our already aging fleet will just get older and more unsafe. Folks who buy older imports are not suddenly going to be able to afford new or near new cars.

The all seems to be being generated in the marketing department of a failing new car seller, GMH? maybe?

I don't see why GMH specifically would be needing to do do this. It seems to be a pretty wild spurious claim to me. Their models seem to be selling fairly well, you see quite a few on the road. Plus you cannot parallel import their cars second hand from Japan like you can, Toyotas, Mazdas, Hondas Mitsubishis etc. I'd say the importers of these brands are much more affected by the Jap second hand imports.

If it were one, or all of the new importers pushing for the change, I have some sympathy. My reason is the new cars they import have to meet a certain standard but as I understand it second hand imports even those that may be the latest/current model don't have to meet the same standard. To me that is a double standard.

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rugrat

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#2262716 22-Jun-2019 21:28

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/could-you-affected-import-ban-and-removal-unsafe-cars-nz-roads-being-considered

I have a swift 2014 brought new. 5 years free warrant of fitness and servicing on it left, got 10 years of no costs other petrol, registration and tyres and battery at my own cost.

Saw in one article that there will be “an accelerated fleet removal”

What does this mean? I paid near 20 grand for car.

edit: Found link with removal of cars.

Technofreak

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#2262731 22-Jun-2019 22:05

rugrat:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/could-you-affected-import-ban-and-removal-unsafe-cars-nz-roads-being-considered

I have a swift 2014 brought new. 5 years free warrant of fitness and servicing on it left, got 10 years of no costs other petrol, registration and tyres and battery at my own cost.

Saw in one article that there will be “an accelerated fleet removal”

What does this mean? I paid near 20 grand for car.

edit: Found link with removal of cars.

I haven't read the article, but you can be pretty sure any "accelerated fleet removal programme" if it indeed exists will be as well thought out as kiwi build or the gun buy back scheme.

I think you'll be pretty safe with your purchase.

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robjg63

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#2262763 23-Jun-2019 06:04

rugrat:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/could-you-affected-import-ban-and-removal-unsafe-cars-nz-roads-being-considered

I have a swift 2014 brought new. 5 years free warrant of fitness and servicing on it left, got 10 years of no costs other petrol, registration and tyres and battery at my own cost.

Saw in one article that there will be “an accelerated fleet removal”

What does this mean? I paid near 20 grand for car.

edit: Found link with removal of cars.

Maybe I didn't read it quite as carefully as I could, but they are referring primarily to second hand imports ex Japan as far as I can see.

If you bought new in NZ then it's not talking about your car - is it?

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