It looks like that Toyota has got into the Transport Ministers ear and has managed to virtually stop the importation of used Hiace vans from Japan. This seems to be a rerun of 2002 when the then Aus auto manufacturers lobbied the then Minister who effectively stopped the importation of Toyota Surfs, Toyota LX90s (Chasers, Mark11 & Crestas) Coronas, Celsiors (LS400 Lexus), Soarers (SC400 Lexus) etc etc.and with it the then 15 year old vehicle import scheme.
The then justification which was advocated by the manufacturers was that the continuation of these "Grey Imports" jeopradised Auto Manufacturing in Aus.
This time around, however, there are no Aus car/van manufacturing in Aus and as such the importation of used Japanese Hiace vans are not threat to Aus jobs or the Aus economy.
In fact the opposite is true.
The importation of used Japanese cars and vans which replace older fuel guzzlers are better for the environment (less CO2) and reduce Australia's petrol and diesel import bill. Furthermore, we have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Japan and small businesses who have to compete with non automotive Japanese manufactured products under our FTA are not allowed to benefit from affordable Japanese used light commercial vehicles.
Not alone does Toyota want to control the new car market as market leader, it seems that it wants to control the Toyota used car market too as evidenced by its advocacy of removing Toyota Hiace vans from the Import list (SEVS)
Perhaps the Transport Minister will wake up and address the general good with proper import regulations rather than the hip pockets of Auto manufacturers.
