Cars easier to buy?

Press, 29 August 1977, Page 4

Cars easier to buy?

PA Auckland A hint that the Government was about to make it easier to buv a new or used car within the next week or two was given by the Minister of Trade and Industries (Mr Adams-Schneider). The Minister said at the opening of a dealer firm that the car sales industry would be getting some help, “but I am not going to say what” “I’m aware now of the priorities of dealers, and I’m taking these priorities to the Cabinet,” he said. Dealer spokesmen said they believed that the Minister had raised the subject at Monday’s Cabinet meeting and that an announcement seemed imminent. They believed used-car buyers would have longer to pay. Now they have to raise two-thirds deposit and repay the rest in one year. It is thought the repayment period would be extended to two years and the deposit might be reduced to one half. Dealers hope that the cashonly rule on new cars would give way to limited hire purchase — possibly two-thirds deposit and one year to pay the balance. Some relief for motor-cycle dealers is also expected, probably cutting sales tax from 40 per cent to 30 per cent and easi- ■ hire purchase.