Doesn't look good for the NSX comming according to one Inporter. :frown:
Remember the good old days back in 2003 when we were looking forward to all the great new 1989 models we could get in 2004 ? Now at that time we had access to series 4 RX-7's, the old shape Soarers, Crowns, supercharged MR-2's, 88 model Safari's, Landcruisers, Cefiros, 180SX and Silvia's and a few BMW's, Mercedes and other bits and pieces. In fact, let's be honest, nothing really exciting ! Well, this is the same limited selection of old-looking models we will be faced with again come March 2005, that is if Jim Lloyd has his way. Just like going back in time.
Among others, in 3 weeks we will lose the ability to import cheap:
300ZX's
R32 GTR's and Gts-t's
GTO's
MR-2's
Series 5 RX-7's
Celsiors
MX-5's
BMW's
Mercedes
180SX's
Silvia's
NSX's
Laurels
Galants
60 and 80 series Landcruisers
Safaris
Cosmos
Familias
GTiR Pulsars
JZA70 Supra
Of course, don't expect to have the 1988's for too long either, what Jim is suggesting is that they will move this date back as far as 30 years and we will soon lose those too. This could happen almost immediately, or in 12 months, who knows. Whenever DOTARS feels like it.
As an aside, you may remember that 2003 was about the time that SEVS was introduced (to restrict import numbers which were getting intolerably high from the Govt's point of view). 17,000 vehicles per year springs to mind as being quoted by DOTARS (oh my god, what a lot of cars that is, um... how many new cars were sold last year in Australia, somewhere around 1 million wasn't it ?). Naturally, those businesses that could not afford the huge capital outlay required by SEVS had no choice but to move over to 15 year old vehicles. Now these poor people will be finished off for good by this proposed change. Remember that these are hard-working people who set up their businesses according to prevailing regulations. Many have spent their lives and a lot of money setting up legitimate businesses for the long term, with profits being rolled back into building the business. Their only crime was to choose an industry that has at it's core something that the Govt. would dearly love to stop altogether -- the import of secondhand cars to Australia. Make no mistake, in the last 4 years DOTARS has done everything in its power to unfairly discriminate against imports at the expense of many, who thought they'd get a fair go (this is Australia after all right ?).
SEVS is so unworkable that less than 200 workshops Aust. wide have successfully got through the DOTARS obstacle course, some only after 3 years of hard work and no income. Many times this number have given up along the way, some after spending a great deal of money trying. Compliance IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE for the FTO, S15, 300ZX, GTO (96+), just to name a few. The bulk of compliance available is for R33 Skylines and Delicas, with only a handful of workshops approved for Soarers, R34's, S13's and other models that used to be common imports under the old scheme. And other models like the Mazda Familia appear to be done for as compliance for them does not present a financially viable option under SEVS. Compliance prices have risen by about $2,000 across the board, repaired vehicles are not allowed (while repaired and rusty Commodores still abound on Aust. roads), and SEVS vehicles must be completely stock standard. Oh yes, SEVS has worked very well for DOTARS at achieving just what they wanted, a massive reduction over import numbers.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand, the 15 year rule. Now Mr. Lloyd and DOTARS have been more a little sneaky in the way this is being handled. In effect Jim has announced the changes as having already happened when in fact as we understand it, they still need to be formally passed and gazetted before they come into effect. This approach has thrown the entire import industry into premature confusion and panic based on one Minister effectively saying "This is what I'm doing in 3 weeks whether you like it or not!". DOTARS are also making up the 'transitional' arrangements on the fly which is why they are all so confusing. The so-called TRANSITION PERIOD consists of nothing more than a few weeks notice of changes that Jim is going to present in Canberra in the next few weeks and on which he is expecting the big rubber stamp without any fight. Now it would be nice (if not inconsistent) after all the negative changes the import industry has had to wear in the past, if some respect were shown to those businesses whose livelihoods depend on this rule. A proper and real transition period would be nice, where we are given some actual notice of the changes in advance, rather than a pretend one. Too much to ask I suppose.
To read more on how wrong, unfair and ill-advised this all is, please see r34skyline.com's comments on the Press Release and DOTARS FAQ, at the following links:
http://www.r34skyline.com/politics/SillyPress_Release_Feb7_2005.htm
http://www.r34skyline.com/politics/Silly_Dotars_FAQ.htm
If you are happy with what Jim is planning to do, then fine. Do nothing, sit back and relax, put a smile on your face and say bring on the rubber stamp. But if you are angry like I am, then bloody do something. You may just stop that rubber stamp coming down as easily as Jim thinks. Simply put, this is not fair. It is not fair to small business, and it is not fair to the consumer who is entitled to more choice and lower prices. And it is about as far as you can get from free trade, something the Govt. is supposed to be big on. After all, we've only just finished whacking the Americans over the head about taking our products haven't we ? There WAS something on the news about free trade for a couple of weeks wasn't there ? I'm sure I saw something....
If you've read this far then you really must be angry. So now we need your help to send letters, faxes, e-mails, or to make phone calls to the right people.
If you are one of the many small businesses that are going collapse because of this stupid and unfair proposal, complain loudly to the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, the Hon Frances Bailey. Her contact details at Parliament are -
The Hon F. E. Bailey MP
Member for McEwen
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Ph: (02) 6277 7450
Fax: (02) 6273 9394
[email protected]
You can complain to the Minister for Local Government Territories and Roads, as he made the announcement - The Hon Jim Lloyd
His Parliament House contact details are -
The Hon J. E. Lloyd MP
Member for Robertson
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Ph: (02) 6277 7060
Fax: (02) 6273 7112
Email:
[email protected]
You should also complaint to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon John Anderson -
The Hon J. D. Anderson MP
Member for Gwydir
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Ph: (02) 6277 7680
Fax: (02) 6273 4126
Email:
[email protected]
PM me if interested.
That's cheaper than what you could buy one in the states for!
