Video: Genter pitches ‘clean car’ plan to industry

Associate minister of transport Julie Anne Genter fronted members of the automotive industry last night to discuss and defend her ‘clean car’ plans.

The VIA mid-winter dinner conveniently fell just two days after the announcement of the new ‘Clean Car Discount’ and ‘Clean Car Standard’ proposal. The dinner was sponsored and hosted by the Ports of Auckland.

VIA chief executive David Vinsen detailed the association’s work and reiterated his concerns about the ‘Clean Car Standard’.

“We believe that that proposal is wrong on so many levels. Firstly the name, it is not about ‘Clean Cars’, that is misleading. ‘Clean Cars’ is about noxious gases and health issues,” Vinsen said.

“This is about fuel economy and efficiency.

“We think this second stage is unnecessary,” he said. “(The feebate scheme) influences demand; we will supply the stock that is necessary.

“The whole industry here is united. We don’t support policies that control supply.”

Genter told the crowd she is not anti-car, despite her well-publicised love of cycling (especially electric bikes) and public transport.

“It is not about being anti-car, it is about being pro-choice. You cycle for the trips that make sense.”

She defended the planned fuel economy standards.

“Fuel economy standards, they are not a crazy, radical idea. New Zealand is one of only three countries in the OECD that does not have fuel economy standards,” Genter said.

Genter referenced Vinsen’s comment to AutoTalk

that the control of supply was ‘Soviet-era control’.

“Ironically, you mentioned this was some kind of Soviet-style control; Russia is one of the countries that does not have fuel economy standards.”

Genter impressed on the crowd that while the industry may not agree with the moves, in the long term it is something that must be done for future generations.

She noted to some in the ‘Green’ sector, specifically referring to former MP and now Greenpeace NZ executive director Russel Norman, the moves don’t go far enough.

In a question and answer session, Genter heard from Peter ‘PJ’ Johnston, who asked her to be cautious and remember thousands work in the import industry, Frank Willett of Autohub, who asked what would be done to improve the emissions of vehicles already in the fleet, Justin Maddox of Ports of Auckland who questioned the impact of moving vehicle shipments to Northport, and David Crawford of the Motor Industry Association, who noted his concerns over the standard.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) also became a secondary subject of the night, with Vinsen and Johnston raising the impact that rule will have on the trade. Genter acknowledged she was not entirely up to speed on the issue – and would be discussing it with officials.