Change in motor vehicle dealers' trading hours

29/10/96

Minister for Fair Trading, Cheryl Edwardes, today announced a change in motor vehicle dealers trading hours.

Mrs Edwardes said the change meant motor vehicle dealers would be able to operate extended late night trading on Wednesdays until 9pm and would no longer operate after 1pm on Saturday afternoons.

The change will come into effect on December 1, 1996. The current opening hours of motor vehicle dealers are Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm.

Mrs Edwardes said a Motor Traders Association industry survey overwhelmingly supported changes to current opening hours.

The survey found 94 per cent of car dealers wanted Saturday afternoon trading to end as trade was slow and the additional costs incurred made it unfeasible.

"A subsequent independent customer survey commissioned by the Ministry of Fair Trading provides little conclusive data on which to base a decision," Mrs Edwardes said.

"It shows that there is only moderate awareness of existing trading hours and a degree of confusion on Saturday afternoon trading.

"In addition, Saturday proves to be the most popular day for visiting car yards and it is evident most visits occur before 1pm."

Mrs Edwardes said the essential difference between the general retail industry and motor vehicle industry was a regulatory requirement for motor vehicle salespersons to be licensed. "Consequently this has the effect of limiting the capacity of the motor vehicle sales industry to employ casual staff," she said.

The change will be effected by Ministerial Orders under the Retail Trading Hours Act.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777 or 018 906 948 (Copies of the customer survey are available.)