Aus imports move forward

The first general meeting of the Australian Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (AIMVIA) has been held in Sydney with its office bearers elected. Until the meeting on December 8, the association had been a working group and steering committee. “This was the first general meeting under a new constitution at which directors were appointed and guests of different states and guests attended,” David Vinsen, chief executive of the AIMVIA told Autofile Online. “There was an open discussion on the development of the market, the association’s future, a membership drive and ideas for sustainable funding. Key issues are continued advocacy about opening the Australian market for the importation of used cars, providing avenues for revenues and funding plans.” Read more stories about the Australian market Jack Sandher was elected president with Ross Pendergast as vice-chairman. Andrew Troha is secretary with Zoran Todorovich being treasurer. Damon Jackson, Simon Fell and Tony Tiehuis are directors. “It was a good and healthy discussion we are pleased with how it went,” added Vinsen, who said Australian government representatives had been open-minded in terms of the suggestions made by association in its draft report on the competition policy review in November as well as its latest position paper. The AIMVIA will continue to lobbying officials in regards to the review of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act. It welcomes the Productivity Commission’s work on the matter, but feels the timing of its process is too long because of a recommendation to delay any implementations until 2018. It also queries initially limiting any relaxation of border restrictions to vehicles no older than five years. The AIMVIA’s recommendations include legislation to make vehicle with inaccurate odometers banned imports, and promoting competition in the market by reducing barriers on personal and commercial imports of new and quality used vehicles. The association wants measures taken to boost job creation in the imported vehicle industry to help replace those lost in manufacturing, the luxury car tax and tariffs on imported vehicles canned, and a periodic review of international standards to approve those that complement Australian Design Rules to move towards international harmonisation. It is also calling for consumer laws to recognise the importer of second-hand vehicles as the “manufacturer”, and legislation to provide balanced controls on commercial imports of new and used vehicles. “Australia will not become a dumping ground for other nations’ used vehicles,” insists the AIMVIA, which believes standards can be used to ensure the quality and safety of used stock entering the fleet across the ditch.