Media Releases

Claims by the prime minister that the purchase of 34 new BMW luxury limousines is a good deal for the taxpayer are laughable, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says the government could have saved millions by simply buying mainstream models for the majority of the ministerial vehicle fleet.

“Ministers used to ride around in mainstream Australian cars, and did just fine.”

One of the country’s leading road safety experts has outlined what he calls the ‘nine essential steps’ for lowering the road toll.

Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide, says that it’s not good enough to simply blame bad driving for the road toll.

“The country’s transport system needs to be set up so that it’s easy to do the right thing and hard to do the wrong thing.”

Matthew-Wilson gave the example of the Auckland harbour bridge, which used to suffer one serious road accident every week.

Many leading consumer and business groups have joined forces to oppose government charges for vehicle registration data. This information is currently provided free to many users.

The Dog & Lemon Guide, Consumer New Zealand, the Association of Market Research Organisations and the Sustainable Business Network have joined a number of major motor industry groups in opposing the proposed charges. This group includes Repco, Turners Auctions, multiple insurance companies, finance companies and automotive computer companies.

One of the country’s leading road safety experts has outlined what he calls the ‘seven essential steps’ for lowering the road toll.

Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide, says that it’s not good enough to simply blame bad driving for the road toll.

“The country’s transport system needs to be set up so that it’s easy to do the right thing and hard to do the wrong thing.”

Matthew-Wilson gave the example of the Auckland harbour bridge, which used to suffer one serious road accident every week.