Cavi.ca

Letter to Transport Canada - Nov. 23, 2008

Dear Mr. Coons,

As we are all aware, current legislation does not permit the importation of vehicles less than 15 years old from countries other than the USA. From an objective point of view, there can only be 3 possible reasons for such restrictions:

1). To protect the safety of Canadian persons.

2). To protect the security of Canadian jobs.

3). To protect the economy of Canadian consumers.

Given that no comparative studies have been undertaken that clearly demonstrate the inherent design advantages of North American vehicles over those designed for the European or Asian markets, it is not clear that the current legislation is accomplishing any of the three possible goals detailed above. After all, both Europe and Japan have vehicles that operate from either left or right hand driving positions, yet the number of accidents per thousand kilometers driven is far lower than that experienced in Canada or the USA. One possible reason for this difference could well be the fact that the average age of vehicle fleets in Japan and Europe are lower than in North America. As a secondary benefit, newer vehicles generally consume less energy, and thus have a greatly reduced impact on the environment.

As to the matter of the survival of North American auto manufacturing, consumers have already voted resoundingly with their dollars to let them die. If the “Big 3” automakers are not intuitive or responsive enough to competitively provide what customers need, why must we all be punished with over-priced and inferior products. In my opinion, if it were not for imports, we would still all be driving Impalas and Galaxy 500’s. Furthermore, at a meeting of world leaders this past weekend, Prime Minister Harper himself said, “Now is the time for opening doors, not erecting walls.”

In consideration of the forgoing, and in addition to the fact that the experience to date with used vehicles imported from Japan has been almost entirely without any problems except those created by CBSA and provincial regulators, CAVI strongly recommends that the age of vehicles allowed to be imported into Canada be gradually reduced over the next 5 years to zero.

Sincerely,

Dale Leier,
Managing Director,
Canadian Association of Vehicle Importers

Victoria, British Columbia

www.cavi.ca

T: 1.888.999.1801

What CAVI is all about

Few aspects of life are as impactful as our mobility. Transportation, as a need, is right up there at the top of the list of other essentials such as Food, Water, Air, Clothing, Shelter and Communications. Without mobility, getting to work, school or the grocery store makes life considerably more difficult. Mobility can take many forms including walking, biking, buses, trains and planes.

For day-to-day living, however, the automobile has become an indespensible tool. It allows us to maximize our personal productivity, under a wider range of conditions, in a way that no other method of mobility can. Because there are so many ways for each of us to live, an entire range of vehicles have evolved. This allow us to optimize the vehicle experience to best meet each of our individual needs.

In much the same way freely determining people harbour the right to choose the foods, clothing and music they listen to, we prefer the opportunity to select the vehicle type which most closely approximates our needs and budgets. Contrary to what the unelected intelligentsia would have us all believe, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having freedom of choice when it comes to selecting a vechicle. Just as we would all expect to have freedom of choice in what we read, say, think, eat and wear.

Many factors enter into the equation when selecting a vechicle. Obviously cost is a big factor, but so is size, fuel economy, safety, color and design. Sometimes a vehicle is selected based on the ability to perform a specific task, or group of tasks. Other times the detemining criteria may be handling or ride. And, yes, often a vehicle purchase can be a fashion statement.

People the world over love vehicles for many reasons. For one thing the modern automobile, with it’s incredible technology accomplishments delivered at a price the average worker can afford, represents a crowning acheivement of the post-industrial era. This kind of accomplishment is both noteworthy and admirable. Quite possibly, however, the biggest reason people love their vechicle so much is the feeling of empowerment they receive.

Being able to go where one wants, when one wants, the way one wants, has become so endemic to the human condition that we’ll never be the same. Oh, sure, public transit is fine if you need to go from A to B and it just so happens that there is a bus or train going there at the same time anyways. But, if you need to go to a different place or a different time than the few who are able to adjust their lives to conform, the sense of loss is just too great a price for most people to pay.

That’s why personal automotive transportation is here to stay. The vast range of individual mission requirements, and the high cost to personal productivity, means that vehicle manufacturers are going to be forced to provide us with greater, rather than fewer transportation choices.

Therfore, CAVI has been formed to work on behalf of importers who are striving to meet the vehicle needs of Canadians that domestic suppliers have overlooked. By ensuring that we, who face world prices for energy, have a world of vechicle choices available to us, our opportunities to individualize their transportation experience and enhance personal productivity are increased.