FCAI condemns imports

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) in Australia has expressed its disappointment with a ruling to allow personal imports of vehicles. Tony Weber, chief executive, says the federal government is “taking a buyer-beware sentiment that will see many Australians caught in high-risk situations with their vehicles being outside established service networks”. Weber adds it is “misleading consumers by telling them a used vehicle with 500km or one that is 12 months old is new”. He says consumers are offered the “highest possible level of consumer protection” when buying vehicles through dealerships, including proper vehicle servicing and recalls. “In its announcement, the government failed to acknowledge Australians who personally import a vehicle made for another country may end up with one that does not meet their needs or operate as required in Australian driving conditions,” says Weber. The FCAI has urged the government to consider the matter by investigating implications the legislation will have on consumers, border security and dealers. Weber says that while the industry and government have been working to align Australian Designs Rules (ADRs) with international standards “for a long time, the reality is there are only a few standards that are still different and we ask the government to commit more resources to hasten their completion”. He believes the best way to continue to deliver a greater range of choice in new cars and motorcycles is to accelerate the removal of “unique regulatory standards and administration”. The new legislation will allow consumers to personally import cars and bypass dealers, and will come into effect from 2018.