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commonplace. Women are involved in buying, driving and maintaining motor vehicles. The New Zealand Government’s Safer Journeys Action Plan aims to accelerate the exit of older, uneconomic and unsafe cars as well as improving the performance of the national fleet. New Zealand’s 2017 new vehicle market performed strongly reflecting this country’s good economic conditions. Monthly sales through 2018 are positive and the outlook for 2019 appears good.
Aftermarket Summary
Repair work and vehicle maintenance spur New Zealand’s aftermarket automotive parts and accessories sales. Vehicle repairs/maintenance are expensive and to off-set these costs, generic car parts have been widely used by some local consumers for many years. The general feeling is however, genuine parts are superior to generic products.
Parts demand is influenced by the composition of the vehicle fleet. Parts and accessories for mainly light and heavy trucks and tires for all vehicle types are the lead U.S. export items in this market.
Electric Vehicles Market
In May 2016, the New Zealand Government announced its electric vehicle (EV) uptake package, a cross-government program which aims to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles to reach 64,000 vehicles by the end of 2021. New Zealand’s goal is to have a low emissions transport system by 2050 – EV’s are an important part in this commitment. In October 2018, 10,000 EV’s are registered in New Zealand. Nissan Leaf models dominant this sector.
Research completed by New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) records a third of New Zealanders are open to buying an EV. New Zealand consumers have no Government incentives to purchase an EV over a vehicle fueled by petrol or diesel.
Heavy Duty Market
New Zealand’s 30-year+ deregulated trucking industry means the road network now carries approximately 70% of New Zealand’s freight. Deregulation has led to many more trucks on New Zealand roads and in turn implementation of road safety policy to reduce accidents. Heavy vehicles cannot be left-hand drive.
Best Prospects for U.S. Exports
best prospects