Friday, November 16, 2007

Importing a 2008 Model Vehicle: CMVSS114 is here to stay

Dear Readers:

After repeated calls to RIV we understand that CMVSS114 (the immobilizer policy) is here to stay. This news comes as a surprise and a shock to us at UCanImport and we suggest that you contact your MP if you have purchased a vehicle and have a Bill of Sale dated earlier than November 1, 2007.

Below is a sample letter that was obtained and supplied by a UCanImport Subscriber. This letter was generously supplied by an extremely frustrated and out-of-pocket importer.
It was delivered to his MP who in turn delivered it to Minister Cannon.
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November 15, 2007

Hon Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
House of Commons
Ottawa, ONK1AOA6

Delivered by Hand

Dear Minister,

I am writing to you regarding a situation that has been brought to my attention by a constituent who has encountered difficulty during the importation of a vehicle he purchased in the United States. A copy of his letter is enclosed.

As you will read in his letter, Mr. ***** purchased a vehicle in the United States on November 5, 2007 with the intent of importing it into Canada. He had first confirmed that same day that the vehicle was considered “admissible” by Transport Canada. He sent the necessary documentation to the border and waited the required 3 days. On November 9th, he checked to ensure his vehicle was still admissible to Canada and found that it was now considered inadmissible.

Is there a mechanism in place that would allow Mr. ***** to import his vehicle into Canada considering that his vehicle was not on the inadmissible list on the day he purchased it and he went to great lengths to ensure he was complying with government regulations?

If there is no mechanism in place that reasonably addresses Mr. ****’s bureaucratic predicament, I request that you have one put in place. It could be as simple as a vehicle is considered “admissible” to Canada if it was not on the “inadmissible” list the day before the date of purchase. Another option could be that a vehicle is “admissible” if it is imported within 30 days of being added to the “inadmissible” list.

I appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

,MP

Encl. 1

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

There will always be conspiracy theorists and I suppose this subject is not exempt from that either.

This legislation was passed about 4 years ago -- with a September 1st, 2007 implementation date. (or, perhaps I should say - became applicable to all m/v mfr'd after Sept 1st, 2007...)

UCANIMPORT PUBLICATIONS said...

Thanks, and yes I suppose that conspiracy theorists are having a field day here. But, I think that the surprise element of the announcement and lack of preparation on RIV and Transport Canada's parts to deal with the public outcry has turned this situation into another mismanaged government policy introduction.

Here is a news release from July 1, 2007 related to this issue. What is interesting is that on September 1, 2007 there were no changes to the admissible vehicle listings on the RIV site, NOR were callers told about this impending policy. How's that for poor execution after 4 years!


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Vehicle manufacturers announce plan to install Canadian-standard anti-theft vehicle immobilizers in all new 2008 automobiles

TORONTO, July 31 - Effective September 1, 2007, Transport Canada will make it mandatory for all new cars, vans, light trucks, and SUVs to be equipped with anti-theft electronic immobilizers. The following Canadian vehicle manufacturers have recently announced their plans to equip 2008 model vehicles in Canada with immobilizers meeting the requirements of the Canadian standard (ULCS338/98):


Audi Mercedes-Benz
DaimlerChrysler
Ford
General Motors
Hyundai
Jaguar
LandRover
Nissan
Saab
Subaru
Volkswagen
Volvo

Anti-theft immobilizers make it more difficult to steal vehicles. According to the 2006 listing of most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada, released by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), none of the top 10 had an approved immobilizer.

Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigative Services, IBC, states: "Immobilizers are highly effective at deterring car thieves. In terms of the stats for IBC's November 2006 release, you have to go down the list to the 28th most-frequently-stolen spot to find a vehicle that registered a high theft frequency despite the fact that it is protected by an immobilizer." He adds: "It just underlines the reality that theft is much more likely when a vehicle is not equipped with an immobilizer."

Auto insurers in Canada set insurance rates based on claims experience for each vehicle model. There is now over eight years of claims data on vehicles with immobilizers meeting the Canadian standard, showing their effectiveness in reducing auto theft.

"By deciding to install immobilizers meeting the Canadian standard in their 2008 model vehicles, these vehicle manufacturers will help their customers save money on their insurance premiums under their comprehensive coverage," says Dubin.

Immobilizers help protect vehicle owners and make communities safer by reducing auto theft and saving lives. Vehicle immobilizers arm when the vehicle is turned off, and prevent unauthorized starting. On average, 40 Canadians die and 65 are seriously injured each year due to auto theft.

For more information on vehicle immobilizers and listing of manufacturers declaring compliance with the Canadian standard for 2008 model vehicles, visit IBC's website at http://www.ibc.ca/en/Insurance_Crime/Prevention_Investigation/Immobilizers/.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national trade association of the private property and casualty insurance industry. It represents more than 90% of the non-government home, car and business insurance in Canada. For more information, visit www.ibc.ca.