On Jul 16, 12:40pm, Reinhold, Matthias wrote: > Subject: Importing a Vanagon from South Africa etc. > Has anybody ever looked into the possibility of importing a Vanagon from > South Africa? > What are the problems other than that the whole vehicle is 'mirrored'? > What about a T2 Bus from Brasil? Let's see - first off it needs emission controls, so a catalytic converter and all the electronics needed to ensure it can meet the emissions requirements. This will probably cost a fair sum. Next, how about American (or European, or whatever) spec safety equipment: glass, side impact beams, seat belts, air bags, etc. I am not sure if airbags are required. There should be some crash testing done, if you want to do more than one at a time (ie import for sale, not for personal use). I am sure there must be other issues as well - it is probably not cost effective - if it was, somebody would probably be doing this already. It is similar to the situation with the Mexican Beetles (old style, not New Beetle). The only Mexican Beetles I know of that are legally imported, you have to ship them a pan and they put new components on it and ship it back (so it is really rebuilding an old car, not getting a brand new one) and that costs about as much as a New Beetle. > Or how about EuroCampers from Germany (not to talk about the > EuroSynchro)? These might be easier as the base chassis (Eurovan) is currently being imported to the USA, so there should be bolt on parts to meet most new vehicle requirements. -- John S. Cronin phone: (404) 894-6164 Office of Information Technology Operations and Engineering 0715 Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 Internet: john.cronin@oit.gatech.edu |
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