Greetings,
Autohub received this news alert from VIA recently, as will many of you.
We have followed this up directly with NZTA and with Japan to see what the implications and solutions are.
While most of what you need to know is in the alert below, please also be advised:
- Autohub has elected NOT TO SHIP any vehicles equipped with ITS Connect that has been flagged at the Border and the ITS system HAS NOT BEEN DISABLED as per NZTA requirements.
- Currently, we have not found any Japanese Toyota Agents that are willing to permanently disconnect the ITS system and/or provide written verification this has been done.
We strongly urge you to discuss this issue with your Agent to ensure neither of you end up purchasing a vehicle you cannot import into NZ.
Autohub continues to search for a Toyota service agent in Japan that can disconnect the ITS system as required. We will update you should we be successful.
Should you need further information, please contact us via email to customerservices@autohub.co.nz or call 09 411 7425
Thank You.
Team Autohub.
Damage-flags for “ITS Connect”
All Border Inspection Organisations (BIOs) will be required to identify and damage-flag cars with ITS Connect, (NZTA border inspected from 1 April 2021).
Click here for the NZTA Technical Bulletin.
ITS Connect operates in the 760 MHz band width of the radio spectrum which is reserved for telecommunications in NZ. There has been a Gazette Notice published declaring any other products operating in this band width as “Prohibited Imports” which can be seized by NZ Customs.
ITS Connect may be found in many Lexus and Toyota cars as shown in Waka Kotahi’s Technical Bulletin these include but may not be limited to the following models:
- Lexus RX, 2016 onwards
- Lexus LS, 2018 onwards
- Lexus RX, 2018 onwards
- Lexus ES, 2018 onwards
- Lexus UX, 2018 onwards
- Toyota Prius PHV, 2016 onwards
- Toyota Prius, 2016 onwards
- Toyota Crown, 2016 onwards
- Toyota Harrier, 2018 onwards
- Toyota Alphard, 2018 onwards
- Toyota Vellfire, 2018 onwards
- Toyota Noah, 2018 onwards
Waka Kotahi/NZTA has instructed the BIOs damage-flag vehicles equipped with ITS Connect from 1 April and ask for proof from a Toyota dealer that that the ITS-Connect system has been permanently disabled.
Waka Kotahi/NZTA is confident that permanently disabling the ITS-Connect software so that the system will no longer transmit a signal is sufficient. The hardware does not physically need to be removed.
For any questions, please contact VIA on 0800 VIA VIA (842 842) or email info@via.org.nz.
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