THE TRUSTED VOICE OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY FOR 35 YEARS Stricter emissions rule will impact car market

The Motor Industry Association is campaigning for enough time for manufacturers to factor in production and shipping delays

An industry organisation is lobbying for 24 months’ notice from the government before tougher emissions targets are applied to new light vehicles.

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) says the two-year period is needed so marques can plan production timeframes for exports to New Zealand.

It’s also calling on the government for existing protocols to be observed so the date of compliance refers to when vehicles are made and not when they go into service as is the case in Australia.

This would accommodate production and shipping delays that mean pre-ordered vehicles may arrive after new standards are introduced.

The MIA has reiterated the range of models will drop if the Ministry of Transport (MoT) presses ahead with its proposed timetable for rolling out tougher vehicleexhaust emissions standards.

Having stricter regulations in New Zealand than in Australia will prove problematic for volume importers of light vehicles, especially Japanese marques and those bringing in light commercials.

All new light vehicles are currently assessed to the Euro 5 standard on the New European Driving Cycle, or US or Japanese equivalents, while used imports must meet Euro 4.

The government wants to raise those requirements and is working on a proposal that will require new imports to meet Euro 6d – or US Tier 3 or Japan 2018 – from

The MIA says consumer choice will drop if the MoT enforces its proposed timetable for stricter exhaust emissions

February 1, 2025, and existing new models from February 2026.

It notes timelines have already been “extended significantly” and it has scrapped a previous plan for an interim goal of new light vehicles complying with the Euro 6b standard from June 2024.

For used imports, the plan is to shift assessing light vehicles to Euro 5 – or US Tier 2 or Japan 2005 Dxx – from September 1 this year.

Used petrol cars made from 2024 onwards would have to meet Euro 6d from February

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