Proposed Changes to Import Legislation: A Turd Rolled in Glitter
Published: 17/08/2017
Grab a coffee and a Tim Tam or two; this is a long read! After four years, two changes of government, and two separate ministers, it has come down to this. Minister for Urban Infrastructure, Paul Fletcher, has announced the proposed changes to the Motor Vehicle Standards Act, which oversees which vehicles are eligible […]
Takata Airbag Recall for Dummies
Published: 24/07/2017
With all the hype in the media about the Takata airbag recall, it’s little wonder our phone has been running hot with import owners wondering if their cars are affected. So I thought I’d whip up a quick FAQ (bearing in mind I’m no airbag expert) to help you understand what is going on, […]
Revised SEVS Criteria Thresholds: The good news ain’t so good (part 2)
Published: 1/11/2016
In part 1, you heard about the worst bits of the proposed changes to SEVS after 2018. If you can’t be stuffed reading it all, the cuts are looking pretty savage – with people movers gone, at least 72% of cars being currently complied via SEVS will be chopped from the new scheme. […]
Revised SEVS Criteria Thresholds: We’re in for a bumpy ride (part 1)
Published: 28/10/2016
It’s taken me a long time to gather my thoughts and write this article. I’ve tried to give myself as much time as possible to digest what the Department of Infrastructure considers to be a suitable model for the future of imported used vehicles in Australia after 2018; to paint the best light […]
Twelve Lies You’re Being Fed About Parallel-Imported Cars
Published: 4/08/2016
Dumping ground. Flooded market. Organised crime. Nuclear fallout. Death traps. Do these phrases sound familiar? If you’ve followed the news lately, you may know that the Motor Vehicle Standards Act is currently being reviewed, a process that has taken three years so far. Tucked away in the report was the suggestion that Aussies should be allowed […]
Imported Cars and the Mainstream Media: Why You Only Hear One Side of the Argument
Published: 9/06/2016
A small article in a mainstream newspaper was passed across my desk this morning, as is often the case when such things get printed. Once again, Joshua Dowling, News Corp’s “National Motoring Editor” and FCAI (Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries) corporate lap-dog, has gone on another attack about how allowing private buyers to import their cars […]
Left Hand Drive Registration: Australia’s Biggest Pissing Contest
Published: 27/05/2016
I recently had the privilege of helping out with the importation of this incredible hypercar: a 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari, valued deeeep into 7-figure territory (a gentleman never tells!). Let’s just say the tax bill alone would be a decade’s salary for some people. As of tomorrow (May 28) this amazing piece of machinery will be on […]
How the changes to Importing Regulations will affect you – Part 3
Published: 7/03/2016
RAWs (Registered Automotive Workshops) Ok so this is part 3 of 3, and is designed to help give context to SEVS changes in part 2. I have to say, there’s a lot to be happy about in here too. 1) WORKSHOP COMPLIANCE LIMITS REMOVED. In the past, compliance workshops were only allowed to comply 100 […]
How the changes to Importing Regulations will affect you – Part 2
Published: 6/03/2016
More good news – there have been some major updates to SEVS too! I have no doubt that many of you will read them and think they’re awesome (which they are!) but you need to remember that this is only proposed legislation – the devil will be in the detail, so feel free to ask […]
How the changes to Importing Regulations will affect you – Part 1
Published: 5/03/2016
It’s worth starting by acknowledging the incredible effort that has gone into achieving what we’ve achieved today. This process has taken nearly two years, and import industry representative groups such as the RAWS Association and AIMVIA have been tireless in their battle for fairness in Australian vehicle marketplace. Special mention must also go to Senator […]
Classic Porsche 911: My Short-lived Love Affair
Published: 12/07/2014
My role as a broker is never dull; each day brings interesting new problems to solve, most of which involves me sitting in front of a screen for hours on end. So it’s little wonder that I relish the opportunity to take customers’ cars to complete the registration process in South Australia where possible. The […]
An Open Letter to Josh Dowling
Published: 5/03/2014
http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/imported-used-cars-a-threat-to-australian-market/news-story/a4681f03d66430aeb20df14d7377e21f **OPEN LETTER TO JOSH DOWLING** Dear Josh, I read your article this morning, “Imported used cars a threat to Australian market”, as published in various forms by News Ltd mastheads across the nation, with equal parts amusement and incredulity. I appreciate that, as a motoring editor for new vehicles, your job relies […]