New Japanese Car For N.Z.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 3

New Japanese Car For N.Z.

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 28; Duty rates on imports from “most favoured nations” provided New Zealand with a bargaining point in negotiations for outlets of primary products to countries such as Japan, France and the United States, the Minister of Customs (Mr Shelton) said in Auckland today.

He was speaking at a function marking the official release in New Zealand of the Isuzu Bellett 1500 saloon car. He said that the rate of increase of motor vehicles in New Zealand in the last decade had exceeded the rate of population increase. Under present conditions It was essential that the productive capacity of domestic industries should be utilised to the maximum. 300 Units

“Since 300 units is just the maximum economic figure on which a particular model of car can be assembled in New Zealand, it is not likely that this figure will be altered when the new import licensing schedule is announced next month,” the Minister said.

Mr R. I. Moller, joint managing director of H. H. Moller (Wholesale), Ltd., the franchise holders for the Japanese manufacturers of the car, said that, while it was appreciated

that both New Zealand and Japan supported the principle of multilateral trade, it was felt that some return by way of duty concessions and more generous trade licences could be helpful in increasing New Zealand exports to Japan. The managing director of Isuzu Motors, Ltd. (Mr T. Ohtsuki, of Tokyo), said the Bellett incorporated to a great extent locally-made, highquality parts and was a joint creation between New Zealand and Japan.