THE Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) and the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) have joined forces to bring one of America’s leading experts on government relations in the area of air quality and energy for an exclusive dealer briefing later this week on the issues arising from the Labor government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). 

A distinguished former automotive regulatory executive who helped design and implement a number of fuel efficiency policies in the US, Barbara Kiss has more than 25 years’ leading the automotive industry’s regulatory engagement with federal and state agencies on all aspects of the Clean Air Act (CAA), and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). 

She specialised in leading departments responsible for: compliance, certification, interpretation, analysis, and influence of global emission, fuel economy, and electric vehicle regulations

Barbara Kiss

Ms Kiss was with General Motors when the first fines paid by General Motors under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy fines were sent to Washington. She also struck the first deal for trade between Tesla and GM.

Ms Kiss spent more than 24 years with General Motors most recently as the director of emissions compliance in which she led the department responsible for development and execution of emission, fuel economy, and electric vehicle certification/reporting and in-use compliance obligations. 

She worked with government agencies on compliance matters and chaired a cross functional review board to ensure emissions compliance for GM North America. Provide guidance compliance matters in all global markets including North America, Europe, China, Brazil, Chile, Korea, Australia, and Middle East.

As director of public policy energy and the environment she oversaw a highly specialised team of public policy experts consisting of engineers, scientists and economists to deliver beneficial automotive regulatory results on all aspects of the Clean Air Act, and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and the Energy Independence and Security Act.

She was manager of global energy and environmental and regulatory affairs, public policy, for nine years.  

Ms Kiss, who now runs her own consultancy to the industry, will present alongside AADA CEO James Voortman and MTAA CEO Matt Hobbs.

The exclusive dealer briefing on the Government’s proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard. Will be held on Friday March 8, 2024 at 11:00am (AEDT).

Participants will learn about the government’s proposed new vehicle efficiency standard, and how it is poised to impact the automotive industry in Australia. 

The government is seeking to catch up to the United States and dealers and other interested parties will hear Ms Kiss’ invaluable insights from the US market along with the potential implications, challenges, and opportunities these standards will bring for Australian new car dealers.