Government

The car industry has slammed a proposal by the Victorian Government to slug vehicles priced over $100,000 with an additional tax – on top of the 10 per cent GST on the total cost and 33 per cent Luxury Car Tax already charged on every dollar above $66,331. UPDATE, 27/5/19: The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has made a statement regarding the proposed changes to taxes on new vehicles in Victoria. See bottom of article for details.

The car industry has expressed caution over an "ambitious" plan to have 50 per cent of all new car sales electric by 2030. Peak body for carmakers in Australia, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), said Labor's proposal for electric vehicles and emissions standards is "ambitious" but "anything's possible" – provided the required infrastructure and buyer incentives are put on the table. "It's about getting that broader environment right," said Tony Weber, FCAI CEO.

Victoria is already in the midst of huge infrastructure changes, but the solution to the state's congestion and packed public transport system could be 'cycling superhighways' on 10 high-traffic corridors.

Volkswagen is turning to dealers in its push for revised emissions standards Down Under, arming dealer principals with a sternly-worded letter to hand their local member of parliament ahead of next year's Federal Election. The company has been one of the most vocal campaigners for revised legislation around vehicle emissions and fuel quality in Australia, lest we join what it's dubbed the 'automotive third world'.

No state or territory is on track to meet its road-toll reduction target under the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS), according to new road trauma benchmarking from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). Developed in 2010, the NRSS is aiming for a 30 per cent reduction in road fatalities by 2020. We've seen a 10.3 per cent reduction in the annual national road toll since the program started, well behind what's required if that target is to be met.