Hello Mario,

I saw your article in the Sunday Gleaner and had to email you on my view about the Government ban on damaged cars. Mario, I wonder if the Government took time to carefully think about what they are doing when they put a ban on importation of damaged cars. The advantage far outstrips the disadvantages. For example, I have a 20-year-old Starlet that drinks more gas than a 3000cc engine car. Now I would love to change that car, but can't do so due to high car prices.

Only choice to change

The only way for me to change that car is to import a damaged one. I am sure I am not the only person in Jamaica with that problem. Now, if we should combine all these old cars, then you would see how much gas these cars use per day, and with all that is going on in the world with oil price, we need more cars that will use less gas to operate. That is just one advantage and I could go on and on.

These old cars contribute so much to global warming. I heard Audley Shaw say that the country is losing money with these cars,but I want to know, do you not have to pay duty on these cars? I think this is a shame.

Mario, as you say, I think we are going back to the days when only the rich can buy a car; yet we say we are an independent country. What a big joke!

Hello Mario,

I read your articles every week and I must say I find them highly educational and informative. I read last Sunday about Government laws and saw some paragraphs on the issue of damaged cars being imported and changes to the system. I would like to ask some questions and I know more Jamaicans would like to know the answers.

Also I purchased a damaged vehicle in March and it is scheduled to arrive in May.

1) Will it still be possible to get the vehicle cleared?

2) The vehicle is rated at 1500cc and is a 2006 model. Will that affect the price for clearance?

3) When will the importation of damaged vehicles cease under these laws?

Thanks in advance.

Hello Mario,

Your assessment of the damaged, vehicle policy is spot on. Lower-income groups will now most likely have to use their cash to seek out the proverbial 'old wife'. I gather the hierarchy of the used- and new-car dealers associations, respectively, are washing their hands clean of any influence in the policy shift. Ha! Those shiny four-wheelers will now be available only from their lots.

history of accidents

Yes, we know of accidents where cars have split neatly in twos and fours. But weren't those from the dark days when cars were imported in halves and then joined? Surely these vehicles cannot be compared to cars which need a fender and a light here, a bumper and a grill there. Water damage ... shouldn't that be my risk or will that crash and split too? There are degrees of damage, so the damage factor does not justify the Government's decision.

On a different note, good reviews. That piece with your dad on the Bog Walk road was wicked. But brethren, what's up with the Cube being Nissan's response to the Honda Fit? Seems you had your Cubes and Tiidas mixed up. I believe Honda also has a boxy thing of its own. Speaking of Tiida, review one, nuh. Or better yet square it of with the ill-proportioned Fit. I drive a Tiida and I find the interior pleasant with lots of cushy areas. However, the ride seems a bit on the harsh side and the front wheels are too talkative. Or perhaps my damaged 'importee' is just plain dangerous!

More time.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

First, let me thank all of you who have taken the time to write and offer constructive criticism and your support. Please continue to write. From time to time the best letters will find their way into 'Unmuffled'. We have only just touched the surface as to the overwhelming current of feelings there seems to be about this topic. One reader went as far as to report what happened to him on the April 14 when he went to the Trade Board to get clearance documents for his newly arrived 'importee' after Minister Shaw's Budget speech. Thankfully, though, the Trade Board has since softened its stance, and now their position is:

"Effective May 1, 2008, the importation of damaged motor vehicles will no longer be permitted. Consequently, import-licence applications for damaged vehicles will be accepted up until April 30.

All required documentation must, therefore, be submitted to the Trade Board by Wednesday, April 30." The Trade Board's final position can be seen at http://www.trade board.gov.jm/main/main.htm.

This means that any backlog in the system should be cleared. This writer thinks, though, that the powers that be lobbied the Government for the cessation of damaged imports and that this could still have been done, while allowing the individual importers, those who abide by the letter of the law and bring in vehicles for their own use, to continue activities. It is not the fault of the public that the Government cannot police itself. And I did review the TIIDA!