We used to get our fair share of Japanese market cars. Actually more than our fair share. Nissan Skylines, Toyota Supras, Toyotas of all models (Celsior, Soarers) etc etc. Same applied to the luxury barges. Alot of the higher end stuff also came from Hong Kong (I'm guessing it was the british colony thing that I'm sure you know about).

A few years ago the government stopped allowing "grey" imports as they are known here. There are some intricate loop holes which I'm not too sure about. I believe companies which specialised in this sort of business were allowed to continue operating but private buyers are prevented from doing this. I think a similar age restriction is applied to imports 15+ years but for private buyers it may only be for classic cars aged 25+ and over. As I said, quite an intricate matter

Then there are the problems for the Australian market. Compliancing costs a bit of money: intrusion bars need to be placed in all doors, speedos swapped over if they were in miles (and you know what sort of problem that can be on an E32), registering and insurance. Grey market cars cost more to insure. I assume because of estimated "parts costs" for a repair.

Then of course there is the resale issue. Alot of young guys who are into cars don't mind buying a grey import one bit. But the average buyer here wouldn't touch a grey market car with a 10 foot barge pole.

I'm assuming by ZA you mean south african market? Never heard of south african imports. I assume that this would be due to 4 reasons:

- Finding a car in a country that isn't exactly favourable to good condition
- Higher mileage (I think JPN market cars appealed in this regard due to very low levels of mileage by Australian standards)
- Shipping costs. Japan is one of our major trading partners (Maybe not in Whale meat though? Erich, you will know what I am talking about :p). Even when crossing the Indian ocean, freight costs from perth would be very high.
- Australian government. ZA safety standards may not be easily convertible. Our customs/border protection would no doubt be paranoid about Black mambas, refugees, drugs, weapons, dust, maybe even A TWIG hiding somewhere within the body of the car. Japan is safe in this regard. Only concrete in that country

My last point is intended to be only taken in jest.

3/93 BMW 730iL
Lazurblau/Silbergrau
5-Speed Automatic
160k KM

• Test drove an E39 540i today - Nick (Australia) 2008-01-22 01:28:53 (118 views)
  • The 540i is a great car. - bolkow105 2008-02-09 23:26:29 (80 views)
  • Doesn't Australia double or triple the list price of imported cars like BMW's? - bcweir750 2008-01-22 10:50:06 (74 views)
    • Yep they sure do. New 750Li - AUD$250k - Nick (Australia) 2008-01-22 20:48:03 (82 views)
      • who can afford that? - steinway 2008-01-24 19:03:05 (74 views)
        • Only the very rich - Nick (Australia) 2008-01-25 03:14:07 (81 views)
          • interesting, so... - steinway 2008-01-25 08:18:14 (68 views)
            • Well not really actually... - Nick (Australia) 2008-01-25 10:42:24 (78 views)
              • I do, that's why I inquired - steinway 2008-01-25 19:29:32 (81 views)
                • Nick, what about importing Japanese cars? - Shayne 2008-02-10 14:13:54 (67 views)
                  • Not allowed anymore - Nick (Australia) 2008-02-11 08:41:51 (74 views)
                    • Re: Not allowed anymore - Shayne 2008-02-13 11:58:17 (82 views)
                      • Probably similar reasons - Nick (Australia) 2008-02-14 23:04:14 (65 views)