European new car prices

[A44RON]

This may have been done to death before, so apologies in advance. Premium European new cars prices, just one example of many:

Brand new Porsche 911 Carrera S purchased in UK, exported to NZ including shipping, GST added on, compliance and all on-road costs = NZ$163,000

NZ New Porsche 911 Carrera S = $235,000

How/why is it $70k more expensive here to buy the same car that's built in the same factory? Where is that figure coming from?

Another example (although not European):

New Nissan GT-R imported from UK, all costs, shipping, GST, compliance etc = $162,000

NZ New Nissan GT-R = $191,000

FYI I've used the average exchange rate from the last 2 years for more accuracy, instead of the post-Brexit figure

[randlemarcus]

If it isn't taxes, then I would hazard a guess it is simply a cost of sale thing, i.e. the dealership building, run costs and staffing costs. You know how folks like to moan about the price of the nice coffee in an OPC? It just costs lots and lots more in NZ

[TVRnutcase]

I recall looking at a BMW M5 a couple of years ago - $160k versus 220k...then I started trying to look at like for like specs - gave up - BUT the specs were not the same on the import - and by the time it was specced the same - the gap was remarkably close.

What finally did it for me was the depreciation over a four year period- the dollars were roughly the same - and way more than what I could stomach.

[A44RON]

Interesting stuff. Always been a huge fan of the M5

Admittedly, the prices quoted above for both are for list price, before any options are ticked for either