news

Federal Govt Considers Blowing New Car Dealer And Manufacturer Import Sectors Apart

Under its review of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act (MVSA), the Federal Government has rolled a hand-grenade into the new car dealer and vehicle manufacturer import sectors.   A release yesterday from the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and


Under its review of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act (MVSA), the Federal Government has rolled a hand-grenade into the new car dealer and vehicle manufacturer import sectors.  

A release yesterday from the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon. Jamie Briggs, states, "Cabinet has now agreed to consider possible options to reduce restrictions on the personal importation of new vehicles after further public consultation is undertaken."

The industry umbrella body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), has labelled the Minister’s position "misguided".

That it has arisen however, and, as we have learned, been under discussion with the sector for some time, is precisely as we warned following the report of the Harper Review into Competition Policy (which made recommendations on parallel importing of second-hand vehicles).

"The danger in this report for new vehicle manufacturers and importers," we warned, "is that an acceptance of its findings by Government may also set some to thinking about new cars."

That thinking would appear to be accepted by the Federal Government.

The Assistant Minister’s announcement states, "As part of this process (the review of the Act) the personal importation of new cars has been a key consideration, particularly given the end of light vehicle manufacturing in Australia in 2017-18."  

Its position is that it wishes to "ensure we strike the balance between appropriate safety standards, in line with international best practice, and consumer access to vehicles at the lowest possible cost".

All of this comes as part of the Government’s review of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act (MVSA). The Act defines national vehicle standards for new motor vehicles and regulates the supply of imported vehicles to the Australian market.

Chat with us!







Chat with Agent