We have been speaking with Anthony Cohen of AIAA (American Import Agent Association) and we attach their ‘call to arms’ below. Bear in mind that HIVA will also affect the import of so called Grey Imports, mainly Japanese vehicles, and limit the amount of vehicles that will be available as our pool of older vehicles in future.
The removal of the right to import these vehicles will have a long term affect on the supply of parts for even older cars, as the market needs to be kept buoyant by fresh vehicles to make it financially viable.
The root of all this is the free trade agreement within the EU that states a vehicle registered in one country should be allowed to be registered in another with its exporting countries technical standards being accepted. As each country that chooses is allowed an IVA (Individual Vehicle Assessment) concerns have been raised that those tests should be ‘Harmonised’, to ensure a consistent standard. However the draft HIVA rules read more as protectioneering of European products especially when the only acceptable lighting must be ‘E’ marked.
We have also included the standard letter that you should urgently send to your MEP (addresses available in the AIAA letter). The vote will take place in February so don’t put it off.
We have contacted ETO (European Tuners Organisation) of which SEMA (Speciality Equipment Manufacturers Association) is a member. SEMA represents aftermarket parts suppliers throughout the world and will be assisting this campaign where possible.
It appears that the Government is happy that our NIVA / BIVA is perfectly adequate to deal with these imports but it is the lobbying of FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), with very little in the way of an opposing opinion that has led to this additional test being proposed. Read FIA mission statement here :-
FIA Mission Statement
More background info from AIAA can be found at :-
American Import Agents Association
CALL TO ACTION
Dear Car Enthusiast,
American vehicles have been imported into Europe since the Second World War.
There is probably no other American product or icon in Europe that exemplifies the spirit of the transatlantic relationship more deeply.
American vehicles have been and will continue to be a central part of the culture of the UK.
Whether you are into new or classic American cars, the American car scene needs to be completely united at this time.
The latest proposal for a new Harmonised European Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) system will make the importation of new American vehicles (up to 6 months old) impossible.
There are MANY TECHNICAL PITFALLS-Here are just a few examples:
-American Headlights are no good anymore-This alone will BAN the cars-There are no replacement headlight for American cars
-There is a requirement for a full sized European Number Plate-this will require a NEW rear end to be fitted to vehicles OR UNSIGHTLY Modifications-Rear Bumpers are not made with the European Number Plate Space
The American Import Agents Association (AIAA) have spent 3 years working with the Department for Transport to get the CURRENT IVA into a position that is JUST ACHIEVABLE
HOWEVER this NEW TEST IS NOT ACHIEVABLE UNLESS YOU ARE A VEHICLE MANUFACTURER !
This goes against the whole spirit of IVA- “Individual Vehicle Approval”
The Voting in Brussels for these new regulations takes place in February !
There are rumours that older cars will be the next ones to be targeted.
Therefore, we strongly encourage you to send an email to your (MEP)
Please use the link below to find the contact information for your MEP in Europe and below that is a draft for the email that needs to be sent to them.
We do need the support of everybody interested in North American vehicles to keep the American Car scene alive
Therefore, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU E-MAIL THE LETTER and do not leave this matter in the hands of others!
WE NEED PEOPLE POWER FROM PEOPLE WITH HORSEPOWER - SO LETS ALL GET REVVED UP !! We are running out of time.
Letter to be sent to MEP, please remember to include your name and address otherwise it will be ignored.
Click here for listing of MEP’s
Click here to download the PDF file
Once you open the file fill out the 4 fields (Address, Date, MEP Name and Signature Area). Then attach the letter to an email and send to your MEP.
Share