Importation And Certification, U.S

GT Pro · Jun 20, 2006

As this was requested by a few GTP users among the Automotive forums, I thought I'd show you the U.S importation and Certification Guidelines here.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/index.html

'How does NHTSA determine what is a motor vehicle? The term motor vehicle is defined for the purpose of the statute and regulations that NHTSA administers as a vehicle that is driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways. See 49 U.S.C. § 30102(a)(6). To be imported free of restriction, a motor vehicle less than 25 years old must be originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS and bear a label certifying such compliance that is permanently affixed by the vehicles original manufacturer.
When a vehicle has on-road capabilities, the agency looks at five factors to determine if the vehicle is a motor vehicle that must be so manufactured and certified to be lawfully imported into the U.S. These factors are:

Whether the vehicle will be advertised for use on-road as well as off-road, or whether it will be advertised exclusively for off-road use;
Whether the vehicles manufacturer or dealers will assist vehicle purchasers in obtaining certificates of origin or title documents to register the vehicle for on-road use;
Whether the vehicle is or will be sold by dealers selling other vehicles classified as motor vehicles;
Whether the vehicle has or will have affixed to it a warning label stating that the vehicle is not intended for use on the public roads; and
Whether States or Foreign countries have permitted or are likely to permit the vehicle to be registered for on-road use.'

YSSMAN · Jun 22, 2006

I've found a few interesting things clicking through the NHSTA website...

First things first, there is the Import and Certification FAQ listing, which answers a lot of simple questions, but still leaves a lot of the big ones open as well.

Secondly, listings for foreign car/truck importers are given HERE Although it isn't necessiarily the most helpful thing, it gives you an idea of who you can get an imported car from.

Third, my favorite of the links, was a complete lising of Vechile Eligibility as of Janufary 9, 2006 of vehicles that are legal to import into the US by given year and model name as well.

The full list can be found HERE, and I found it to be quite interesting. I had no idea that the Ford Escort RS Cosworth was legal for importation here. Another funny listing was a specific line which states "All other passenger car models except Model 959" were legal for import with Porsche.

Pupik · Jun 22, 2006

Another funny listing was a specific line which states "All other passenger car models except Model 959" were legal for import with Porsche.

...just 5 more years, and we won't have to worry about that.

You can import a Nissan GT-R (R33), as long as it meets the criteria. Or a Smart car...Or a Lexus. (!)

What's a Porsche 946 Turbo, though? Did they mean 964 (I'm bad with Porsche's internal code number system.)

YSSMAN · Jun 23, 2006

It may have been a misprint, but the 964 was the chassis code for the 911 that was built between 1989-1993.

Sniffs · Jun 23, 2006

964 BODY, in other words, just like how a skyline is referred to by r33, etc .

i'm suprised at the revelation that a Yaght of an R33 (or so I read) is importable.

Jay · Jun 23, 2006

Sniffs
i'm suprised at the revelation that a Yaght of an R33 (or so I read) is importable.

If you're going to make fun of a car, you should make sure you spell it correctly first.

"Yacht"

YSSMAN · Jun 23, 2006

...I was dissapointed in the website not saying anything about the "engine loophole" that Ariel and Noble have been using. But of course, we probably aren't supposed to know about it.

I think there was a whole page about RHD models, but given the crazy language required in most lawful situations, I had a hard time reading it.

Jay · Jun 23, 2006

What is this 'engine loophole' I hear about that Ariel and Noble are using?

YSSMAN · Jun 23, 2006

Baisically they ship the cars to the United States without their engines and transmissions, thus allowing the cars to be sold as "kit cars." Later on, the engines can be purchased and installed by the given dealer. This allows the cars to not have to comply with Federal crash and safety standards, and using a seperate engine allows them to ignore emissions testing as well.

But, thankfully for Noble and Ariel they both use engines that are allready sold in the US to begin with. The Ford 3.0L Duratec V6 sees duty in our Fusion, Freestyle, etc. And for the Ariel, instead of going with the Civic Type R's I4, they have instead gone for a modified version of GM's 2.2L S/C I4 from the Cobalt SS.

McLaren · Jun 23, 2006

Yep, and they'd probably be much cheaper if they could just get them sold here with everything done.

From what I've dug up, it's almost $90,000 just to have the Noble complete. :ouch:

JCE · Jun 23, 2006

What sucks about that list is the fact that no Australian cars are permitted...so no way to import a Holden or FPV without using the kit car loophole. :grumpy:

And the US has officially banned R34 Skyline importing haven't they? That's ok, the R33 is a much better looking model in my opinion.

YSSMAN · Jun 23, 2006

If I read the RHD thing correctly from the NHSTA, I think the Monaro could easily be brought here either in Holden or Vauxhall form, given that it is nearly identical to the Pontiac GTO allready sold here.

That said, given their state of automotive safety and emissions laws, I don't think it would be tough to get an Aussie car here, but I can't be completely certain. I wouldn't mind importing Falcons and Fairlanes as well as Commodores, Utes, Adventras, and Monaros to the US.

...But with the Zeta program still in full-swing, chances are the GM models are allready partially on the way.

JCE · Jun 23, 2006

YSSMAN
If I read the RHD thing correctly from the NHSTA, I think the Monaro could easily be brought here either in Holden or Vauxhall form, given that it is nearly identical to the Pontiac GTO allready sold here.

That said, given their state of automotive safety and emissions laws, I don't think it would be tough to get an Aussie car here, but I can't be completely certain. I wouldn't mind importing Falcons and Fairlanes as well as Commodores, Utes, Adventras, and Monaros to the US.

...But with the Zeta program still in full-swing, chances are the GM models are allready partially on the way.

Dude those Holden Utes are freaking sweet! For those that do not know what they are here is the Holden link: http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/modeloverview?modelid=15002

Also the Crewman 4dr is super sexy. American pickup trucks are all fugly compared to these. Oh and you know what is great about Holden? THEY STUFF THE LS1/LS2 IN ANYTHING! Yes I am a hypocrit by saying this...the reason why GM's US division is the opposite is they have fugly cars/trucks/suvs...so they don't count.

And I believe the Monaro could be imported because there is a US-spec model. I remember reading this at one point...don't know where.

McLaren · Jun 23, 2006

I don't care what car we get, we just need some Austalian sports cars! Even 1 magazine reported that they could save Ford of America.

I'd definately look at the Monaro or FPVs.
But with the GTO going out of production, doesn't that mean the end of the Monaro? :nervous:

Jay · Jun 23, 2006

JCE3000GT
Oh and you know what is great about Holden? THEY STUFF THE LS1/LS2 IN ANYTHING!

But the 'ANYTHING' is all Omega platform only, just different variations of the same car and we get ripped off with the LS2, HSV only here. Two Monaros roll out of the factory one with GTO front and badges, one with CV8, GTO is cheaper and LS2, CV8 more expensive and LS1.

*McLaren*
But with the GTO going out of production, doesn't that mean the end of the Monaro?

Monaro ended last year (Although you can pick up some of the last one being sold off now).

YSSMAN · Jun 23, 2006

The last of the Pontiac GTOs are being sold right now, and it is looking like the earliest return of the GOAT will be 2008 or 2009 along side the Camaro, Impala, etc.

Keep in mind *McLaren*, all of the new VE Holdens and GM North America Zeta cars will essentially be the same underneath. Chances are, the Commodore, Impala, and Grand Prix will all be the same underneath. The same can be said of the Commodore, GTO, and presumably the Monte Carlo as well. Then to top it all off, the Statesman will be shared with Buick as well, and may even carry the same name in the US.

McLaren · Jun 23, 2006

That's good news to hear.

Zeta...is this like the GMT900's? A code for the range of models?

Jay · Jun 23, 2006

Yeah, Zeta (Holden designed) is the name of the platform they are all going based off of.

JCE · Jun 23, 2006

YSSMAN
The last of the Pontiac GTOs are being sold right now, and it is looking like the earliest return of the GOAT will be 2008 or 2009 along side the Camaro, Impala, etc.

Keep in mind *McLaren*, all of the new VE Holdens and GM North America Zeta cars will essentially be the same underneath. Chances are, the Commodore, Impala, and Grand Prix will all be the same underneath. The same can be said of the Commodore, GTO, and presumably the Monte Carlo as well. Then to top it all off, the Statesman will be shared with Buick as well, and may even carry the same name in the US.

This would be good for GM if they did this. My question YSS for you is this: Will GM go to RWD on the next Impala, Malibu, Grand Prix, and these VE/Zeta cars they will be releasing? If I see a FWD version of the VE cars brought over here I'm going to not only poop on Lutz's front yard but pee on his front porch. :yuck:

Jay · Jun 23, 2006

Zeta is a RWD platform (maybe 4WD in the works also like they did with the Omega patform), US cars based off the platform will be RWD.

YSSMAN · Jun 23, 2006

RWD GM cars in the US, reportedly, will be as follows:

- Chevrolet Impala (Commodore)
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Monaro)
- Chevrolet Camaro (no VE sister)
- Pontiac Grand Prix (Commodore)
- Pontiac GTO (Monaro)
- Buick Statesman/Invicta* (Statesman)

*Offical name of the Buick has not been decided, and both names have been used several times by Lutz himself when discussing the new RWD Buick model.

The Malibu and G6, as well as the LaCrosse (not certain on W-Body's future) and Lucerne will be the only mid-size FWD GM sedans by the end of the decade. FWD will be limited to the bottom rung, and a few top-line luxury cars, and thats about it.

As for the future of AWD in GM's cars, that is questionable as well. I don't think the AWD versions of the STS have sold that well, so it will come down to how well the new Zeta cars can perform in adverse weather before GM does anything but RWD with the new models. I don't think AWD is out of the question for Pontiac, but I doubt that it would happen on any of the Chevrolet models.

JCE · Jun 23, 2006

YSSMAN
RWD GM cars in the US, reportedly, will be as follows:

- Chevrolet Impala (Commodore)
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Monaro)
- Chevrolet Camaro (no VE sister)
- Pontiac Grand Prix (Commodore)
- Pontiac GTO (Monaro)
- Buick Statesman/Invicta* (Statesman)

Woo, thanks for that list. If this comes to pass I will regain some respect from GM as long as they DON'T BUTCHER THE FRONT BUMPER/GRILLES of these Aussie cars like they did with the GTO/Monaro. Just put the company emblem where the Holden emblem is and leave it at that. So the Monte Carlo will make a comeback...as a sort of GTO/Monaro? Any pics or renders of what it will look like? I'd be greatful if they just continued to use the Monaro lines and just put back the Holden Monaro front clip.

Jay · Jun 23, 2006

I am also doubting any AWD for the Commodore, because our current AWD Commodore based cars were designed to compete with Fords Territory now Holden is getting S3X to compete I doubt they will continue with AWD Commodores.

YSSMAN · Jun 23, 2006

Thus far, the best pictures of the Zeta cars can be found in the GM Zeta Car thread on page 9. Those photos were from earlier this month down in Australia, and there was a Chevrolet-badged model (with LHD) rolling around with the other Commodores, Monaros, and what appeared to be a Statesman as well.

JCE · Jun 23, 2006

Forgot all about that thread. Whoops...

GT Pro · Jun 23, 2006

*McLaren*
I don't care what car we get, we just need some Austalian sports cars! Even 1 magazine reported that they could save Ford of America.

I'd definately look at the Monaro or FPVs.
But with the GTO going out of production, doesn't that mean the end of the Monaro?

Yes, they recently just released the final run of the original Australian Monaro in what we call the CV8-Z.

Although, Holden still builds several of these for their race research and performance arm, HSV, in which they are badged as HSV 'GTO's.

Even though Holden will still build and export the base car to the U.S for the Pontiac GTO until the end of the year, Holden Australia has already considered many possibilities "

The Camaro concept: If put into full production and granted access, Holden will no doubt, as they've said, use this as a replacement.

Or, with Leading Holden designers as we speak sketching ideas for a possible new Monaro, and if this all works out maybe you could see a new GTO on your roads by around 2010 at perhaps the earliest.

YSSMAN · Jun 24, 2006

Previous GTO estimates put it at the end of 2008 as a 2009 model, but the rumor now is that the GTO will be one of the last of the Zeta cars to show up in America.

Apparently we are supposed to expect the Camaro and Impala/Grand Prix first in late 2007 or 2008, and later that year, we will eventually see the GTO/Monte Carlo and Statesman as well.

...Or atleast, thats what the figures have been averaging out too in most American automotive magazines and on websites as well...

GT Pro · Jun 24, 2006

Well, this should explain a few things.

"The next generation of Australia's biggest-selling coupe was cancelled last year when Holden's parent company, General Motors, announced that it had to rationalise its future model program and focus on big-selling, high-profit four-wheel-drives and pick-ups for the US market."

According to Bob Lutz, GM's head of global product development, the Monaro will be reborn in late 2008 and could be built on the same production line as the iconic Chevrolet Camaro. He also recently explained to Drive at the Geneva Motor Show that the next Monaro's development program had stopped for only two months and it was now "back on, at full tilt".

"The reason we said it was cancelled is because that way people would put their pencils down," Lutz said. "In GM if you say something is deferred, then people keep working on it. We really needed to get that message through to everybody."
He said the program was "getting out of control" and costing too much.

"Whether the Monaro will be built in Australia will largely depend on the exchange rate at the time," Lutz said. With the current strength of the Australian dollar and the recent Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the US, it would be more feasible to build the Monaro in the US and export it to Australia, he said.
Holden will still be heavily involved in the development of the next Monaro and the new Camaro, if that car is approved for production.
"Holden is responsible for the large rear-drive architecture that these cars are based on. If it happens, Holden will do the development on the Camaro as well as the Monaro," Lutz said.

"Production of the current-generation Holden Monaro came to an end late last year and the last of the Australian-made US-bound Pontiac GTO versions of the Monaro is expected to roll off the Adelaide production line later this year."

So in other words, it maybe earlier but there are still many problems, especially with the Australian Dollar as Lutz explains:

"I tell you the Australian manufacturing industry is in a difficult situation right now," Lutz told the Herald earlier this week. "If the government doesn't do something about it or the Australian dollar doesn't weaken then I'm not sure what's going to happen. The Australian market really is at risk."

YSSMAN · Jun 24, 2006

...Thats interesting...

Origional estimates on the American Zetas vs Aussie Zetas put production in both countries (actually, Canada for the US). The former plant that built the Camaro, from what I understand, will be building the Camaro again, but I hadn't herd if the Aussie cars were to be built there as well.

GT Pro · Jun 25, 2006

Yer, I'm quite confused too.

Importation And Certification, U.S

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