Interesting point about imports now.

[data_mine]

orly?

so why aren't they "put in a price bracket so that people can afford them" (as you put it) in other countries?

Simple, the manufacturers, price them at a point that they think we'll pay. Owing to the fact we can't import new cars, if someone wants a BMW/Merc/etc. they'll pay almost whatever the price is, because you can't go anywhere else. some free economy.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by data_mine

orly?

so why aren't they "put in a price bracket so that people can afford them" (as you put it) in other countries?

Simple, the manufacturers, price them at a point that they think we'll pay. Owing to the fact we can't import new cars, if someone wants a BMW/Merc/etc. they'll pay almost whatever the price is, because you can't go anywhere else. some free economy.

In Europe most Benzes below the exclusive models are taxis. In the USA the huge lineup of taxis outside Mccarren airport were nearly all 300C Chryslers. Cars that are expensive exclusive luxury vehicles here are "just ordinary cars" in most other countries, but especially in their country of origin.

Of course, our almost-unique right hand drive new cars only laws mean we are severely restricted and behind the eight ball for a start.

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Australia also has the nanny no left hand drive blanket rule for new vehicles. New Zealanders are allowed to drive left hand drive vehicles over there so opens up a lot of import options especially from America.

Don't get me started on my favourite hate about how Australian drivers are treated like children in this regard......

[Rodge]

I think there's a quota of only 500 LHD vehicles a year in N.Z. and there is certain criteria that needs to be met, rare, collectable, that sort of thing.

Yeap they've tightened up the regulations so that no vehicle over 7 years old can be imported, (there might be an exemption for certain classic vehicles, not sure).

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by SB076

I suspect once the industry has gone our dollar will decrease

Yes, and the australian public will cry out because of the cost of imports

Originally Posted by Cheech

The majority of "grey" imports here are currently imported by registered Australian workshops under the RAWS scheme.

which turns $30,000 cars into $130,000 cars...

Originally Posted by chevypower

Free market is the only way to go!

in theory. for two different countries to make the same product and compete against each other doesn't make for an optimal return and they'd be better off if they each had a completely different product. In theory, communism works.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by mif73

The so called free market contributed greatly to kill our local car industry so i would say its not the way to go for oz anyhow.

The free market is the reason a base model commodore is loaded to the gills with features reserved for only the top models even 5 years ago from 35K

That lack of protection is the reason why we no longer have cars with hand crank windows and no ac, while the rest of the world has moved on.

Globalization and lack of economy of scale is the reason it no longer pays to make a car in this country.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

The free market is the reason a base model commodore is loaded to the gills with features reserved for only the top models even 5 years ago from 35K

That lack of protection is the reason why we no longer have cars with hand crank windows and no ac, while the rest of the world has moved on.

Globalization and lack of economy of scale is the reason it no longer pays to make a car in this country.

Precisely.
Protect your industry too strictly and keep out imports, and why do tthe local guys have to try harder? They know they're selling to a captive audience who is uneducated in the ways of advanced foreign ideas like standard features that here were expensive options, if available at all. That's the way it was done for years, and the gullible public didn't know any better until exposed to a large influx of foreign stuff that had features we only dreamed of as standard. Then the local makers were forced to do better.

If you can't...or are unwilling...to do better or to read changing public trends, then too bad, get out of the way.

[data_mine]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Precisely.
Protect your industry too strictly and keep out imports, and why do tthe local guys have to try harder? They know they're selling to a captive audience who is uneducated in the ways of advanced foreign ideas like standard features that here were expensive options, if available at all. That's the way it was done for years, and the gullible public didn't know any better until exposed to a large influx of foreign stuff that had features we only dreamed of as standard. Then the local makers were forced to do better.

If you can't...or are unwilling...to do better or to read changing public trends, then too bad, get out of the way.

Have you seen the options list for anything euro? You can more than double the price of a Porsche with options. Standard they come with next to nothing (same with BMW/MB/Audi etc).

watch the first 45sec of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MPSr7ZWnYQ
(then watch the rest cause it's pretty cool)

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by data_mine

watch the first 45sec of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MPSr7ZWnYQ
(then watch the rest cause it's pretty cool)

That boy has the best job on the planet, and he's bloody good at it....