I've recieved an email from Geoff Risby @ Prestige Motorsports
 
It would be awesome if we can get some of our MR2s and other cars to imported without the current restrictions we have.
 
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/mv_standards_act/files/MVSA_consultation_paper.pdf
 
It would be nice if we can consolidate our comments and opinions for submission as a group rather than just individual
 
Closing date is 21 June 2013 (so if people can have their comments in by the 19th if you want a group submission)
 
Any questions please dont hesitate to comment
 
 
 
 
(Please note, this post is currently not related to the MR2 Club of Australia NSW Club)
 

Regarding safety, the
overriding purpose
for the legislation was clear.

Each year in Australia some 2,800 people are killed on our roads and 30,000
seriously injured. In addition to the trauma and suffering which results from these
crashes, the aftermath of this carnage costs the Australian
community some
$5,700m
annually.

 
I wonder how much of this was caused by imports?
 
I find it ridiculous the amount of laws in place regarding to imports, when there are millions of ADM cars that don't even comply with the ADR's. For example, most softroaders don't comply with the ADR's in regards to rear number plate visibility, but having a tow ball obscure your number plate is a $324 and 3 demerit point fine (from experience).
And I could almost guarantee I only got booked because I was a red P plate driver at the time - But that's a completely different kettle of fish.
 
I know only a minor example, but how many times have you heard of a modified car being defected for an obscured number plate?
 
End rant

IMR22C

Regarding safety, the
overriding purpose
for the legislation was clear.

 
I wonder how much of this was caused by imports?
 
I find it ridiculous the amount of laws in place regarding to imports, when there are millions of ADM cars that don't even comply with the ADR's. For example, most softroaders don't comply with the ADR's in regards to rear number p
 
I know only a minor example, but how many times have you heard of a modified car being defected for an obscured number plate?
 
End rant

 
I thought the import laws were to protect the overpriced local car market? 
 
I have heard of a few imported or modified cars being fined for number plate things, JDM slot is too small - if you bend the plate you can be fined, or if the plate is obscured. Mostly Subaru tow bars block the plate - but you'll see examples of utes and bikes racks where you cant see the plate - I think they do it to avoid traffic cameras.
 
$398 too now I think.

Thanks for the responses guys, and i agree that import laws are their to protect the local car market. But in australia do we really need a car manufacting as part of the local industry. Other countries are just a financial viable such as Singapore etc have a equally good economy without the use this industry. Considering Ford is about to about 500 workers which will have a flow on effect to other car reliant industries, sales of locally cars are dropping where does australia stand in terms of car manufacturing and imports.
 
My submission would something like as follows. (sorry it may be a bit out in terms of grammer and formatting)
 
Whiles i'd agree with the local import laws to protect the local car market, its obvious that car manufacturing in australia is not a viable option moving forward with the high australia dollar and increased employment wages. Further more,  where does it fit in with car enthusiats like the MR2 where even though the car sold here for a period time, the car itself is no longer able to sold, and the only option would be able imports. This reduces the amount of the  people that were not able to purchase car when it was available, thus reducing numbers of members on various car forums and clubs and the like.
 
Opening up the import market to to enable car enthusiats to able to import cars which are no longer available to purchased in australia would give more enthusiats options in terms of hobby. The majority of car enthusiats have 2 cars in the first place and the hobby only driven on weekends and not used for a daily driver.
 
Considerations for car enthusiats for the market would be greatly appreciated when moving forward with the decisions made by the department for example
1. to protect.....
2. Importing car regulations
3.
.
.
.
5
 
 
 
You get what i mean.

It's a nice idea, need to find the right balance.

I'd like to see the criteria change to include pre 95 model cars which are old enough to no longer threaten the local industry.

Compliance should remain strict & regulated. I believe import yards need a crack down. All new import car sales must be accompanied with a Jap dereg cert to protect the consumers. Avoids all the wound back lemons coming through.

At the moment, the cert goes to ACT after compliance & I don't know if it can be retrieved.

MR2QIK
It's a nice idea, need to find the right balance.

I'd like to see the criteria change to include pre 95 model cars which are old enough to no longer threaten the local industry.

Compliance should remain strict & regulated. I believe import yards need a crack down. All new import car sales must be accompanied with a Jap dereg cert to protect the consumers. Avoids all the wound back lemons coming through.

I agree. 
And I think anything sent in may have more impact if it is a group submission that also pushed the 'Classic' and 'Car Club Enthusiast' aspect.
 
 
 

You also need to look at it from an owner perspective.
 
What happens to the price of your ADM MR2 GT when the market is flooded with a lot of JDM models with apparently lower kms and in better condition?
 
I do agree some car markets are overpriced, however I would probably sit on the fence here when it comes to the SW20 being overpriced in Australia. They are a brilliant car and should hold their value.
It's a double edged sword. I personally think the SEVS idea is a good thing, and although I think the price we pay to import a car is ridiculous compared to other parts of the world, including geographically similar regions like NZ, we still need to acknowledge there's a difference between cars that never made it to Australia, and cars that were sold here, abeit in limited numbers.
 
Some models like the NSX were sold in ridiculously low numbers and could allow for limited number import each year without affecting price of local models too much. The SW20 though is a bit more of a touchy subject.
 
The MR-S manual version should be allowed to be imported though, it's a grade of car that never made it to Australia, but again it would probably hurt the price of local SMT models, which are already at a fair price as it is.
If you take the AW11 as an example however, the price did affect the local models for some period, but now that the car is getting older and fast approaching classic status, the numbers have fixed themselves over a longer period, this also needs to be considered.

I don't think SW20 or MR2 values in general would be affected. Keep in mind, they've very much bottomed out already. Price has stabilized & condition is the main differentiator. You can now get a poor condition MR2 turbo for as low as $5000 in some cases. Better condition examples fetch $8-15k depending on rarity & level of modification.

If SW20's were eligible, a decent condition Gen3 would still be $10-12k landed, similar price to what I've seen for the past few years, but a bit more readily available. I watch Jap auctions & dealer stock on a near daily basis.

If P player restrictions continue & compliance approval is kept strict, there's no risk to local market & enthusiasts like us win. I'll get a second SW20 for my daily :)

And I could fulfill my childhood dream of owning an NSX :-)

MR2QIK
And I could fulfill my childhood dream of owning an NSX :-)

You and me both. Stashing away a wad of cash and moving to japan for at least a year so I'm eligible to bring one back as a personal import is always an option.