Uh.. so now that basically wipes out any decent sports car from the 90's and early 2000's. Thoughts?
A last-ditch bid to delay new rules which will restrict used-car imports has failed, prompting further warnings of an increase in prices for consumers.
The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association, which represents used-car importers, went to the High Court at Wellington this week in an attempt to force a judicial review of new emission standards rules due to come into force on January 1.
An affidavit from IMVIA chief executive David Vinsen claimed he was promised a review of a previous round of rule changes, so the new rules should be delayed until this had taken place.
However, Justice Forrie Miller dismissed the application, finding that it was unlikely such a clear promise was ever made, and that in any case, Transport Minister Steven Joyce had given the matter sufficient consideration following extensive lobbying.
The ruling means that from January 1, virtually all Japanese cars manufactured before 2005 will not be able to imported.
Vinsen said that the rule change was likely to cause a significant increase in the prices paid by consumers for certain models of popular cars.
However, the industry had been preparing on the basis that the rules would come into force, so it was now "business as usual" with work already under way to prepare for the changes.
"There's considerable time and effort and money going into identifying alternative sources," Vinsen said.
The alternative sources referred to dealers setting up new supply chains to import secondhand cars from Britain.
Dog and Lemon guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson has warned that the rules will be counter-productive, because motorists will keep older cars on the road longer, lowering air quality.
However, the Automobile Association has said the newer imports often provide better value for motorists and the rules will help upgrade the fleet.
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