17 Jun 2019

Popular imported cars in NZ may be banned for safety

From Morning Report, 7:24 am on 17 June 2019

Some of New Zealand's most popular cars could be banned from being imported under a new road safety strategy.

Of the five most popular used cars imported into the country last year, three could be banned under the proposal.

A report obtained by RNZ shows the government will consider preventing cars that have a poor safety rating from entering the vehicle fleet.

It will also look into accelerating the removal of unsafe cars from the current fleet.

Of the five most popular used cars imported into the country last year, three could be banned under the proposal.

Pre-2016 Suzuki Swifts, the nation's second most popular used car, has a safety rating of one or two stars and would no longer be imported.

Toyota Corollas built prior to 2008, and any Mazda Demio - the fourth and fifth most popular used cars respectively - would also be banned from being imported.

Ben Strang has more.