For all those disappointed on not getting the CCX....
#41
Originally Posted by BLADDER_MASTER
While we're at the topic of manufacturer cars, the other day I was shocked to see that I saw a Toyota Avensis down here in FL. That's right, a Toyota Avensis. The car with the same chassis as the Scion tC. It didn't look like one of the new models that are sold in the UK. It had Michigan manufacturer plates as well. I was only able to see the back of it and not the front. The car was being driven on the left side. Could this mean that the Avensis is coming over? Or they're testing out the chassis to work on the tC's chassis? I wish i had my camera there to record it.
Anyway, Japanese companies bring over vehicles all the time to do commercial shoots. A little while back there was a big hoopla because someone photographed a JDM Odyssey on the streets of some city in California. Turns out they were just shooting a commercial. Could be the same situation with the Avensis you saw.
Toyota is the most secretive company on Earth. No spy shots, very few leaks, and if there are leaks, they're usually not very helpful.
However, it would be cool to see either (or both) the Caldina and Avensis here. I saw the new Avensis when I was in Spain, and I was very impressed.
I just hope we get some news soon if they do indeed intend to bring them over (so I don't regret buying a tC).
#43
Originally Posted by excess
You can get any car from japan if you want. go to http://www.batfa.com/ and have them import it into usa. The shipping cost is roughly $900. But all of them RHD
1) Pass US EPA emissions
2) Replace all window glass with DOT approved glass (good luck doing that on a non US model)
3) Replace headlights with DOT approved headlights (same as above)
4) Replace bumpers with 5 mph U.S. bumpers (which do not exist for non US models)
5) Provide at least two extra cars so they U.S. DOT can crash test and certify it
6) Replace all gauges with mph instead of kmh
7) You can keep it RHD though, most of the legally imported Skylines are RHD
That's just what I could remember, there may be more. If it were just THAT easy, don't you think you'd be seeing JDM cars all over the place?
The federal government killed the gray market in this country in the early 1980s with these stupid regulations designed to protect Detroit automakers. It adds expense and complexity for any company wanting to import a car here and makes it impossible for you to do so unless your a billionaire.
The only exceptions are when a registered importer takes care of these things for you, which is the case with the Skylines, or if you are a foreign diplomat or head of state or you are a foreign national living in the U.S., in which case you can bring any car you like for a period of ONE year, then it has to go back or be destroyed. It is illegal for you to sell it or rent it to anyone while you are here.
Ah, you can also import a car for "research" if it is only going to drive a very limited number of miles on public roads. I remember a university in Michigan, I think, brought over a Volkswagen Lupo 1.0 turbodiesel for fuel economy research that way.
Sorry.
I don't know why this company even advertises because I can promise you once the car gets here, customs is not going to allow you to have it until you meet these criteria.
One other way you could sneak a car in though, is if you brought it in in pieces. Parts are legal. So if you had someone get you a Toyota Crown there and dismantle it and ship the pieces over, you could reassemble it here.
Of course then you have a VIN that no DMV in the country will recognize and you won't be able to get a title or license plates and it will be illegal to drive it on public roads.
Gotta love America and our freeedom huh?
Over in "socialist" Europe, this is not an issue. People in the UK import JDM models all the time.
#44
hey ive parked one of those before. i valet in socal and about a year ago a customer of mine was driving one, he works for lexus design studios, car was nice, but i can think of other jdm rides id rather have
brent
brent
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