At present Aussie used vehicle buyers are not allowed to personally import a populuar used car from Japan like a Toyota Yaris or a Toyota Corolla manufactured after 1995* unless one owns and operates it for more than 12 continupous months overseas. In other words one has to be overseas without break for more than 12 months which , unless one is buying a half mil used Ducatti is not feasible.
This is a a scandal, IMO, because:
(a) We have no car manufacturing in Aus to protect ( The excuse before 2017 and asserted in 2002 by the manufacturers before the Senate) (b) These cars are made in Japan to world standards like the manufacturer imported units (not made in Thailand or China or a 3rd World country) (c) Australia has a Free Trade agreement with Japan (d) Service & spare parts (even generic/will fit parts) are available in Australia
These are small/fuel efficient cars (more so than our Falcons, Commodores & Camrys) We import most of our petroleum so replacing fuel guzzlers with good used fuel efficient makes macro economic & environmental good sense.
One can only conclude that the Government is over influenced by the foreign multinational car companies (some might say bought by them via corporate politics; donations) and bugger the working class person who cant afford to buy a new car and used car prices are being propped up by not exposing our used car market to that ouf our Free Trade Partner, Japan.
It seems futile to have FTA if the Aussie working class cant benefit, IMO. Maybe the average Aussie doesn't read this rag?
What do you think?
MM
PS: we have a bevy of EV "wankels" on these threads who spruke EVs persistently (something that the average person cant afford) and one has to wonder if some are paid by the EV industry or maybe they are a tad on the spectrum!
The issue facing te majority of Aussies is to be able to afford a decent set of wheels that are not in effect a second mortgage! Have a gander at used Jap 2007-08 Yaris with sub 100K for less than $1500 FOB Japan?
Now do you think the Morrison Government is sticking it up us?
*Earlier this year the Government lifted the 1988 used vehicle rule to 1995 as if is was doing the average Aussie a favour. Pigsass it is.....just cheap political window-dressing!!!
