Dealers have been aware and preparing for some time for new rules relating to winter tyres.

New rules to ensure the safe use of winter tyres in New Zealand come into force from this Thursday (1 April).

The new requirements, included in the Land Transport: Tyres and Wheels Amendment Rule, prohibit the mixing of winter tyres (also known as snow tyres) with other types of tyres on the same vehicle.

In order to reduce the risk of crashes arising from the misuse of winter tyres, the rule states that from 1 April 2010, if a vehicle is fitted with winter tyres, they must be fitted to all road wheels of the vehicle.

The new online trade auction and tender system for dealers will go live next Tuesday  - April 6 - on target to have more than 100 dealers registered by launch date.

MotorBidder CEO John Boswell says that most of the major franchise groups have at least one dealer registered and there more from the leading brands.

"Most dealers are very positive about the system – and the fact that it interfaces with their current stock systems makes it so easy," says Boswell.

The organiser of the failed car and air show, Wings and Wheels over Waikato, Kenneth James Ross, was sentenced to nine months home detention and 200 hours community service in the Hamilton District Court yesterday.

The show was originally scheduled to be held in Hamilton in March 2008.

Dealers arond the country are reporting very strong used car sales during March, even ahead of an already positive February.

Terry Honan, dealer principal of Schofield Holden in Newmarket lauds the good sales: “This month has been fairly strong across the dealership, with used sales being the best for 18 months.

"New sales are looking up but are not as strong as used. Compared to this time last year it's a little bit stronger but not record breaking.”

Peter Johnson from Genuine Vehicle Imports in Auckland looks at the market from the used import perspective: “February was a bit a flat, but March seems to have got a lot better.

Vehicle sales are still struggling for consistency according to several commentators from the automotive sector - reports the BNZ's monthly 'confidence survey'.

The BNZ survey found an encouraging net 42% of respondents expect the economy to get better over the coming year. This is up from 35% earlier this month and 37% in February.

"Comments submitted by respondents paint a clear picture of an economy still struggling to improve on a consistent basis," says the BNZ's chief economist, Tony Alexander.

"Most sectors of the economy are improving but some have shown pullbacks recently and others seem extremely patchy."

Ford Motor Company has announced it has entered into an agreement to sell Volvo Car Corporation to Chinese manufacturer Geely.

The purchase price for Volvo Cars and related assets (primarily intellectual property) is US$1.8 billion.

John Coker, PR for Volvo New Zealand says there will be no change in Volvo's distributorship or marketing.

AA and Marac's joint venture into the finance and insurance markets promises strong competition for motor vehicle dealer business.

AA has bought 50% of Marac Insurance for $2.2 million - and Marac Finance plans to sell the joint venture's insurance products - along with vehicle finance - through its dealer clients.

"This signals a new level of commitment to the dealer market," says Chris Flood, Marac Finance's general manager consumer.