Up to 2002 Aussie importers were allowed to import diesel engine model/turbo diesel variants such as the diesel Surf vs the full volume complied 4 Runner. The multinational auto manufacturers convinced the Howard Government that the Low Volume scheme then threatened the Auto manufacturers' Aussie manufacturing and the Low Volume Scheme was reduced to the Claytons
version which we have today. The 15 year rolling rule was abandoned and used vehicles that were not hoon cars or orphans were
limited to those manufactured before 31st Dec 1988. Needless to say this effectively closed down the scheme.
There has been a proposal put to Government to allow the importation of vehicles 25 years or older which is again another Claytons supported by the Multinationals because a twenty five year old vehicle is not likely to appeal to the average working person's transport needs.
We ahve a FTA with Japan so why not let the average Aussie benefit from it?
