Government adjustments to enable more freight movement under level 4 lockdown means all vehicles can now be transported to dealerships and compliance centres if they are available to take them.
This could come as a relief to businesses incurring large storage and double handling costs with vehicles landing in the country but going straight to off-site storage facilities.
However, TransportTalk spoke to a number of dealerships who say they are still only working with vehicles involved in essential service industries.
An email from the Government’s essential transport response team confirms imported vehicles which would have otherwise been delivered and are currently at storage facilities can now be taken to dealerships and compliance centres.
“Given that the vehicles are already in the transport system then it is now OK for these to be delivered.
“Please note that employees coming into businesses to accept delivery of vehicles will now be classed as essential workers for the period of time that they are performing that activity, and will need a letter from their respective employers confirming their status.
“Please also ensure that all Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport guidance is complied with regarding essential workers and movements during level 4,” the response team says.
One source, who didn’t want to be named, told TransportTalk not many vehicles have been delivered to dealerships since the change in the rules as businesses were still not open to receive them.
The Road Transport Forum welcomed the new freight delivery rules which means customers can receive the freight but still can’t operate their business.
“A refinement of the rules means that non-essential freight, which previously could not be moved unless it was in the way of essential freight, can now be moved to its end destination,” Road Transport Forum (RTF) chief executive Nick Leggett says.
“It means freight companies can get on with their business and free flowing freight will help exporters and importers, as well as those who are part of the domestic supply chain,” Leggett says.
TransportTalk also spoke to Renault NZ and Giltrap and both confirmed they were still only taking deliveries of vehicles involved in essential services.
*The Government has announced New Zealand will move out of level 4 lockdown at 11.59pm on Monday, April 27. The country will then hold at alert 3 for two weeks before reviewing.
