The fate of the Canadian JDM market.

[exigeracer]

I'm not sure about the rest of Canada, but word on the street is that in Quebec, you are no longer allowed registering RHD cars. The JDM fanboys are up in arms, complaining about the cited visibility issues caused by driving on the wrong side. I wouldn't imagine the rest of the country isn't looking at the same prohibition.

Does anyone else have any more info from the rest of the country? Fred? I've got friends who have decent coin invested in imported cars that have been rendered unsellable.

 

[Tornado]

.

 

[Keef]

Which one is Quebec?

EDIT: Toronado's point proven.

 

[-Fred-]

For that matter, since when has anyone else in the world ever cared about what Quebec wanted?

I'm from Quebec, and I want to ban you. Do you care now?


It all comes down to the insurance companies in the first place. No one really knows what to charge for, say, an R32 GT-R or a Lancer EVO, since those cars were not sold here. So any 17 year old backwards cap wearing dumbass can go to a bank, get a loan, and end up with a 10 000$ Skyline GT-R. A lot of accidents in recent years have made those companies open their eyes, and the government as well. Plus, the fact you have absolutely no history of ownership for those vehicles means the importers could tell you whatever they wanted you to believe, and most of the time you'd end up with an absolute lemon or a car that was wrecked and repaired, very hastily usually, making them unsafe, especially in the hands of young and unexperienced drivers. Importers themselves weren't respecting the rules ( the 15 year old law, a given number of cars per month/year) and we ended up with cars like S15 Silvias and R33-R34 Skylines with fake VIN's stolen from cars in Japan and registered as kitted S13s or R32s.

Right now the said ban is only temporary, while they try to clean up and sort out everything.

 

[Jay]

Australia banned LHD cars many years ago to stop the big influx of American imports (LHD cars over 30 years old are allowed though), we still get them but they must be converted first.

As Fred said we also (Australia) got a lot of dodgy imports from Japan, people ended up with GTR's for peanuts because they were written off then cut and shut (two halfs of car joined together) then sold cheap, Australia later introduced laws and strict inspections (once during compliance) to stop this.

 

[Casio]

I'm assuming Engineering Testing Car type things are exempt from that law then? Cause I see a heap of imports with "Left-Hand-Drive Vehicle - Engineering Evaluation" plastered on the back.

I don't really see a need for 'opposite' hand drive cars to be legalised, to be honest. If their is a car you want but it's not on the right 'side' then tough ****.

 

[eiriksmil]

I don't really get that. I'd love an oldschool Japanese motor only sold in Japan and I don't want to move there to have it.. I've even contemplated on converting my car to RHD, I'd do it if it wasn't too nice to hack up.

In Norway it's impossible to register JDM rhd cars, but not RHD cars sold in Europe. Say a Charade GTti bought from a dealer in England is accepted, a GTti or GTxx from Japan is not. We have some rhd Japanese cars on plates, they were registered before this window of opportunity was closed.

I don't see the problem as long as these cars are properly inspected..

 

[Jay]

I'm assuming Engineering Testing Car type things are exempt from that law then? Cause I see a heap of imports with "Left-Hand-Drive Vehicle - Engineering Evaluation" plastered on the back.

That is a special manufacturers permit or engineers permit, much like dealerships can drive cars around with trader plates, but you can't fully register LHD cars (within 30 years of age). Even private owners can get permits to drive the LHD car for a limited time if they have a genuine reason and the car is road worthy.

I don't see the problem as long as these cars are properly inspected..

In Australia it was to stop the large amounts of american imports that were flooding in ruining our own local market (Holden, Ford Australia, Chrysler Australia). For example why buy a Holden Monaro with a 300hp small block V8 when for less money just import a 340hp+ Big block V8 Camaro.