Grey import vehicles threaten the local economy and jobs in South Africa's vehicle manufacturing industry

[mylesillidge]

Hidden threat on South African roads

Grey import vehicles are a hidden threat on South Africa's roads as they don't meet local standards.

This is according to DataDot Technology South Africa COO Chad Thomson, who told CapeTalk that grey vehicles also threaten the local economy and many jobs in the local motor vehicle manufacturing industry.

 

[RudderVator]

As if your roads and drivers are not the biggest threat...

Honestly STFU only issue we see here is a lack of tax money and inflated prices...

 

[Anthro]

The moment locally-made vehicles are as well priced and well-made as imported alternatives, I will stop importing cheap japanese shitboxes

 

[xcaliber]

Shem. Maybe if the local industry made cars that the SA market really needed.

 

[Quicks]

"Grey import vehicles are a hidden threat on South Africa’s roads as they don’t meet local standards."

What a joke! Have they seen the condition of most of these Taxis driving around.

 

[Bewlen]

Waiting for the following headline....

"Import Parity Pricing" and "MIDP" ripoff vehicle prices for locally manufactured vehicles threaten local household sustainability and jobs in South Africa​

Can't have your cake and eat it too, you greedy bas***s.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Hidden threat on South African roads

Grey import vehicles are a hidden threat on South Africa's roads as they don't meet local standards.

This is according to DataDot Technology South Africa COO Chad Thomson, who told CapeTalk that grey vehicles also threaten the local economy and many jobs in the local motor vehicle manufacturing industry.

What local safety standards do grey import vehicles not meet specifically Chad?

 

[Nod]

"Grey import vehicles are a hidden threat on South Africa’s roads as they don’t meet local standards."

What a joke! Have they seen the condition of most of these Taxis driving around.

There used to be a time when you would be fined for broken or non-functional lights, but these days it is the cops with cars that are technically not roadworthy.

 

[Nod]

I knew a guy that imported Toyota's directly from Japan, independent from Toyota SA.
He could sell it for 30% cheaper.
Eventually he had to close business because of pressure from industry.

 

[Dan C]

Waiting for the following headline....

"Import Parity Pricing" and "MIDP" ripoff vehicle prices for locally manufactured vehicles threaten local household sustainability and jobs in South Africa​

Can't have your cake and eat it too, you greedy bas***s.

You are going to wait a long time for that headline. MIDP stopped in 2012

 

[neoprema]

Hidden threat on South African roads

Grey import vehicles are a hidden threat on South Africa's roads as they don't meet local standards.

This is according to DataDot Technology South Africa COO Chad Thomson, who told CapeTalk that grey vehicles also threaten the local economy and many jobs in the local motor vehicle manufacturing industry.

No, they risk the high-markup and collusion in the industry that's milking the consumers.

 

[bixt]

"According to Thomson, most grey imports in South Africa come from first-world, right-hand-drive countries like Japan. Customers can be easily caught out if they are unaware of what grey vehicles are.

These often don’t meet South African specifications, with their engines and other components, like suspension, being materially different from those of vehicles certified to be driven in the country"



How does First World & Japan != SA Specs?????? Tell this guy drinking starts Friday night not morning.


How much exactly did DataDot pay for this article? Journalism = full disclosure.

 

[Longboi]

No, they risk the high-markup and collusion in the industry that's milking the consumers.

In earning power abroad (USA/EU) a new car is very affordable in terms of % of Salary toward payments made monthly.

In South Africa it's waaaay higher due to various factors inc the Rand/bad laws/taxes. We also get a lot of vehicles that lack certain features that are Standard abroad.

 

[Moosedrool]

don’t meet local standards.

It’s all just easy money again. They’ll confiscate a person’s grey import while a taxi barely holding together will pass by the cop on the yellow lane like a imbecile.

 

[Bewlen]

You are going to wait a long time for that headline. MIDP stopped in 2012

yeeeeeeeeah sorry man, meant APDP. Still boils down to the same thing.

 

[xcaliber]

I knew a guy that imported Toyota's directly from Japan, independent from Toyota SA.
He could sell it for 30% cheaper.
Eventually he had to close business because of pressure from industry.

When I worked at Toyota we could buy cars pretty cheap. I think it was 30-40% less than dealership. Most would buy and resell it directly as they got it. (This all changed and they started to limit how many you buy per year). This was donkey years ago.

 

[FiestaST]

PK “article”.

 

[Adeptus Mechanicus]

For every 1 "grey import" on our roads that's not roadworthy you'll find 1000 other locally bought ones that aren't either.

So let's not talk utter k@k here.

 

[Fulcrum29]

First VehicleFacts and now DataDot:

South Africa’s ‘grey vehicle’ problem

South Africa is seeing an influx of illegally imported cars, with major impacts for the economy and road user safety.

businesstech.co.za

According to Vehiclefacts, grey vehicle imports refer to used vehicles brought into South Africa via unauthorised channels, bypassing official dealership networks and the government’s regulation framework.

...

A significant impact of Grey vehicles is the massive loss of government revenue. In 2022, it was estimated that South Africa lost R8 billion in taxes due to illegal imports.

Import duties, VAT and other taxes are bypassed when vehicles are smuggled or imported illegally.



This shortfall directly affects all South Africans, depriving the government of critical funds that could otherwise be invested in infrastructure, education and public services.

These vehicles are also sold without warranties, and spare parts are not readily available.



Moreover, the influx of grey vehicles undermines the industry by reducing the demand for new and used cars sold via authorised dealers.



Vehicles imported via unauthorised channels may lack crucial safety features such as airbags, ABS brakes and proper crash protection.

VehicleFacts are being dishonest here. I have had it with FactSayers.

Perhaps, it should be reconsidered whether to improve accessibility to new and used vehicles through the authorised networks, and that the government should deprive buyers less (not to ignore corruption). The market is exploitive, and that is why buyers are looking at exploring alternative options to access these goods. WeighTheConditions.

It is obvious what is truly going on here. VehicleFacts and DataDot are both serving an invested interest.

Yes, some grey imports are a risk.

Odd how this theme is exploding at the moment.

 

[Thor]

Grey import vehicles are not the issue.

the issue is that 30-year-old cars that really should not be driving anymore are allowed on the national roads add to that the fact that we have a dysfunctional traffic department with virtually no law enforcement for traffic laws.

Compound the fact that we have an unemployment crisis even if we introduce a lifetime on vehicles no one can afford a car. The alternative is public transport which isn't practical due to safety and neglected infrastructure reasons.

all in all ... not a good spot the country is in - but I am hopeful with the new GNU.