FCAI chief promotes Australian-delivered imports

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries is sticking to its guns in its campaign against grey imports and parallel importation.

On behalf of its members, many of which would be adversely affected by a freer market as proposed by last year's Productivity Commission review, the FCAI has been lobbying hard for the government to ignore the recommendations in the review and to oversee a measured change to the Motor Vehicle Standards Act that will not dispense with current consumer protection.

Chief Executive for the FCAI, Tony Weber (pictured), yesterday introduced a new phase in the campaign, focusing on the positive aspects of the status quo, rather than painting a bleak picture of a rapidly aging car parc and severely reduced consumer protection. Weber pointed out that FCAI members – importers and manufacturers alike – go to considerable lengths developing cars that provide a bespoke solution for the Australian market and its consumers. But at no stage did Weber directly use the terms 'grey imports' or 'parallel importation'.

"Manufacturers selling in Australia are continuously working to improve safety, security and environmental features – along with other attributes that Australian consumers demand," he said.

"To do this, they invest heavily in engineering capacity in Australia and overseas, to help ensure the vehicles they make for the market will cope with the Australian climate, lifestyle and roads. This includes having the appropriate engine and transmission cooling systems, to cope with Australia's hot climate, towing requirements and fuel quality.

"It also includes having specifically calibrated convenience items, such as satellite navigation, air conditioning and infotainment systems.

"It is this investment, to deliver a car suitable for the unique Australian conditions that makes it almost impossible to take a vehicle specified for a foreign market and simply use it in Australia. A vehicle built for overseas conditions cannot provide the Australian consumer with the reliability and satisfaction they expect from a modern vehicle."

Subsequently, during a Q&A session, Weber amplified on his remarks and left no uncertainty in the minds of the assembled media that the FCAI regards market deregulation of the kind proposed to be irresponsible.

"Those cars are designed, built and engineered with Australian conditions in mind. That's why companies right across Australia, who import vehicles here, have engineers in Australia, working on those vehicles so that when they land at our ports they know that they'll be suitable for conditions in Australia.

"What I'm saying... if you buy a car that's built specifically for another market, with no intention when it was in the factory to come to Australia, it's very unlikely that that car will be suitable for Australian conditions.

"A large effort goes in, at a very early stage, in the engineering/design process, to ensure that the imports that come into Australia are suitable for Australian conditions and meet Australian buyers' needs."