The cost of driving in NZ

[MotherBear]

Worrying if you've got an older Jap import or run a vehicle import business or car yard.

Some pay less, some more in new petrol plan
Page 1 of 2 ...... 5:00AM Wednesday October 10, 2007
By Paula Oliver

Owners of used cars imported from Japan could end up paying more than other drivers for their fuel under the Government's plan to introduce compulsory biofuels sales targets for oil companies.

The price difference seems likely as the motor industry seeks a way to avoid problems that biofuels may cause in older vehicles, and the Government tries to offer incentives for people to switch to the new blended fuels.

Biofuels are part of the Government's big climate change push, and ethanol-blended fuels are likely to be flowing from service station pumps as early as next year as oil companies are forced to adopt the more environmentally friendly option.

The winners from the potential price difference will be the owners of cars which can run on biofuel blends of 5 per cent or more.

More here .

[MotherBear]

Petrol pain ahead after third hike in 3 days
12:41PM Tuesday October 30, 2007
By Mathew Dearnaley and Edward Gay

Major fuel companies have followed BP in hiking prices overnight on the back of 25-year-record importing costs.

This morning Caltex and Shell had increased their petrol prices by five cents to the same level as BP.

All three companies are charging 168.9 cents for a litre of unleaded 91 and 119.9 for diesel.

BP was charging 121.9 for diesel yesterday, a rise of 5 cents, but has since dropped its price to come in line with other companies.

BP spokeswoman Greta Shirley said lower importing costs may have led to the price decrease.

More here .

[MotherBear]

Sales of used cars expected to slump
Page 1 of 2 ......... 5:00AM Saturday November 10, 2007
By Mathew Dearnaley

Used car dealers are braced for a dramatic slump in sales after New Year's Day as old imports are banned by a rule aimed against deadly air pollution.

Even if the Government heeds advice from officials to soften the immediate impact of the rule on petrol cars, the Independent Motor Vehicle Dealers Association expects sales next year to tumble to half their existing annual level of about 125,000 used imports.

As for diesel vehicles - over which the officials are holding a harder line because of the extra harm to health from particulate emissions - association chief David Vinsen says Ministry of Transport research shows the trade in used models will be "in effect eliminated" by a scarcity of supply and unaffordable prices.

He warns of financial pain for small businesses relying on second-hand vans and specialist vehicles.

Government officials are not denying new emission standards yet to be approved by ministers will have a chilling impact on sales, but deny claims by Mr Vinsen's organisation and the Motor Trade Association that they risk causing more pollution by forcing people to keep older vehicles running for longer.

More here .

And some more .