The long battle between the importers of new and foreign-used cars rages on. The foreign-used car industry, which is well over 15 years old, has always been blamed for many problems, from traffic on the roads to being not roadworthy to encouraging car theft rings. In 2007, the then Government implemented a quota system for the importation of foreign-used vehicles. It was argued that fewer foreign-used cars on the roads would reduce traffic.
During this period, Inshan Ishmael, then president of the Pre-Owned Car Dealers Association, took to the streets of Port-of-Spain to block what he saw as a big threat to the survival of the used car industry. In 2008, the Government introduced a motor vehicle tax on small engines and increased taxes on all other engine sizes. Late last year, the new Government released the Draft Policy to Regulate the Used Car Industry Report.
The report recommended that the annual quota of vehicles should remain at 13,500/year for the period 2011 to 2013. (See table)
Car Market
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Total
Total New Vehicle Market
7,281
7,246
8,328
10,206
12,136
14,095
16,305
18,889
12,140
12,355
131,336
Used Vehicles
11,117
16,322
15,754
16,176
18,827
19,035
21,797
20,520
13,704
10,929
175,110
Total New & Used Vehicle Market
18,398
23,568
24,082
26,382
30,963
33,130
38,102
39,409
25,844
23,284
306,446
Economic contribution
Right now, Philip Knaggs, president of the Automotive Dealers Association of T&T, which represents new car dealers, is arguing that older foreign-used cars coming into T&T would make this country a "dumping ground." Visham Babwah, president, T&T Automotive Dealers Association (TTADA), one of the main foreign-used car dealers, has made the case that the industry is too important to the economy for it to be destroyed.
Babwah estimates that at least 10,000 people are directly employed in the foreign-used car industry, with thousands more employed in spin-off industries. "Some of the spin-off businesses include buffing, cleaning, painters, upholstery and other businesses. Apart from the 10,000 that the industry directly employs, there are thousands more people who are indirectly employed by the industry."
He added there are roughly 200 used car dealers in the country. Philip Knaggs, president of the Automotive Dealers Association of T&T (TTADA), which represents new car dealers, is arguing that older foreign-used cars coming into T&T would make this country a "dumping ground." Knaggs told the Business Guardian on Monday that the foreign-used industry has its "place" in T&T's economy.
Knaggs believes, however, that the industry must be regulated. "We agree that the foreign-used industry has a 'place' in our economy but, given the nature of the product and given the fact that there are more than 300 registered foreign used (car) importers, it is obvious that the industry has to be regulated to provide consumer protection," he said.
He argued that the industry is importing "used" products and questioned if there is any mechanism to determine the true age of those vehicles. Currently, foreign-used cars no older than four years are allowed to be imported.
Industry survival
Last month, stakeholders in the car industry met with Trade Minister Stephen Cadiz at a consultation at Centre Pointe Mall, Chaguanas. Cadiz agreed to review the quota system for imported used vehicles and to review the criteria for determining the age of a vehicle. He did this after hearing recommendations from TTADA, which has 90 members and the smaller T&T United Motor Dealers Association.
Babwah claimed that the previous administration made life difficult for the dealers by some of the policies it implemented. These policies include introducing a motor vehicle tax in 2008 on small engines, $5 per cc and increased the tax on all small engines. The foreign-used cars dealers get a 25 per cent tax rebate on the motor vehicle tax on small engines.
Despite this, Babwah said the industry has survived because most people consider it an alternative to new cars which, he said, are not even necessarily superior. "All foreign used cars are imported with airbag and anti-lock braking systems. Some new cars aren't even imported with airbags." He added that to ensure that standards are maintained in the industry, the TTADA has suggested an international company test the cars to make sure they are roadworthy before they land in T&T.
Knaggs said the Ministry of Trade must protect consumers and ensure that these foreign used vehicles are inspected by the Bureau of Standards and that a one-year (or 20,000 kilometre) warranty is given to each and every customer.
Cheaper cars
Apart from the industry's contribution to the economy, Babwah said the foreign-used market caters for middle-income and lower-income consumers. "Before the foreign-used cars came to this country 16 years ago, the new car dealers had a monopoly. Now consumers have a choice in the market," he said. He said if the Government allows the foreign-used car dealers to bring older cars of up to six years old, the prices for these cars will be reduced considerably.
"We want see foreign-used cars at $60,000 where anyone can afford to buy them," he said. Knaggs said if the public wants cheaper cars, then all the Government has to do is decrease the duties and taxes on smaller new vehicles. This way, the public could easily afford a new car, with three-year warranties and proper support. "Foreign-used imports should be restricted to vehicles with engine sizes of no greater than 1.6 litres," Knaggs said.
According to statistics provided by Knaggs, the foreign-used market accounts for 33 per cent more sales than new vehicles in the past decade. "This has put immense pressure on the local new vehicle dealers who continue to remain committed to providing proper dealership support to their customers. "Maintaining a high level of service and parts support to the public, with equipment purchases and proper technician training, is very costly. The new vehicle dealers will always be considered stable and will continue to truly stand behind their product," he said.
Knaggs predicts that the new car market will remain "flat" this year compared to 2009 and 2010 levels. "Since the onset of the world economic crisis in the latter part of 2008, sales of new vehicles in T&T have decreased substantially down to levels not seen since 2005," he said.