Given the complete lack of new (or nearly new) Insights in Europe how feasible would it be to export to Europe. Certainly the initial purchase price in the US compared with the UK list price is significantly less. You would have to add shipping ($4000?) and import tax (VAT) at 15% - but it would still be cheaper than purchasing in Europe. What does the forum think? I personally wouldnt mind driving a new LHD Insight. If it was a personal import would you have to bother with SVA regulations?
Exporting Insights from US to Europe
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
I looked into it a while back, and the impression I gathered is that is seems not to be too much of a problem for an American to ship their own car for a temporary stay, even if "temporary" is a year or more. As long as it stays registered in the US, it's ok.
But for you as a European, it might be a major hassle, as you'd probably have to deal with import regs and your MOT standards to get it registered.
But for you as a European, it might be a major hassle, as you'd probably have to deal with import regs and your MOT standards to get it registered.
I doubt many people would be interested in LHD TBH, better to import from Japan, but since there is no model report available for the Insight yet, it isn't possible either way.
Ridiculous really, you want to import a dozen 4 litre SUV's - no problem.
The worlds most environmentally friendly production car? Nope, sorry.
Let's hope Honda make a better job of the 2006 Civic IMA!
Ridiculous really, you want to import a dozen 4 litre SUV's - no problem.
The worlds most environmentally friendly production car? Nope, sorry.
Let's hope Honda make a better job of the 2006 Civic IMA!
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John, to possibly try and reduce the number of Japanese imports the government introduced a new regulation on top of the usual SVA test. These are called Model Reports and one has to be completed for each car model line that is brought into the country.
A typical model report costs 'around' £2,000 and certainly deters individual imports. However, once a model report has been completed it can be rented to others who wish to use it for their import. The regulation is relatively new and not surprisingly only mainstream imports (such as Japanese 4x4's) have so far had model reports completed. There is no Honda Insight model report to date.
Paul Andrews (a member of this Forum) and I discussed this recently and if the Insight 2 is not for sale by the end of 2006, I will certainly consider going ahead with one, so that I can import an Insight.
The biggest and most helpful site on this subject is:
http://www.modelreports.com
I agree that a Japanese Insight would be a better bet than a LHD American Insight, partly because prices hit rock bottom in Japan for vehicles over three years old.
A typical model report costs 'around' £2,000 and certainly deters individual imports. However, once a model report has been completed it can be rented to others who wish to use it for their import. The regulation is relatively new and not surprisingly only mainstream imports (such as Japanese 4x4's) have so far had model reports completed. There is no Honda Insight model report to date.
Paul Andrews (a member of this Forum) and I discussed this recently and if the Insight 2 is not for sale by the end of 2006, I will certainly consider going ahead with one, so that I can import an Insight.
The biggest and most helpful site on this subject is:
http://www.modelreports.com
I agree that a Japanese Insight would be a better bet than a LHD American Insight, partly because prices hit rock bottom in Japan for vehicles over three years old.
Citrus
When the time comes I might just be willing to contribute to the report (financially). We might also import a job lot having spent some time in Japan sourcing the best ones (I like the thought of being a motor dealer!)
John
When the time comes I might just be willing to contribute to the report (financially). We might also import a job lot having spent some time in Japan sourcing the best ones (I like the thought of being a motor dealer!)
John
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Definitely something to talk about at the UK Insight gathering. In theory, renting the report at about £200 a time, we should be able to get the initial outlay back.
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I keep expecting car manufacturers to produce something 'better' than the Insight but I am still waiting...therefore I am also keen on getting a 2004 or younger Insight from Japan. However I am moving house next month and I have to wait see what my financials look like afterwards. Please PM me separately.
Hi please let me revive this important thread..
As mentioned above the best approach for the Insights community is to have model/type approval for the US/JAP versions of this hybrid, now such a "homologisation" would be valid for the entire EU and perhaps help others someway in the middle of the legal jungle (Norway, Swiss, etc..)..
Given that Insights as factory made hybrids are slowly reaching their usefull productive lifespan, this model approval might have even more sense now, because pricing might drop (against new hybrids on the after/market). And most importantely, Insights could get another life as full EV individual conversion a task for which they are great platform! Now, individual EV conversions are best achievable if you start with already SVA or national technical inspection equivalent registered car.
---
There is a list of practical steps we can pursue to determine validity of this effort:
1. Firstly, we have to determine as to whether some EU member country has already issued this kind of model/type approval.
There are almost 30countries now, so chances are that someone, somewhere has done it in the past! However, take into account that easiest individual approvals of imports are not upheld by other national authorities (you can't legalize it elsewhere) - it has to be that costly (1-3k EUR) national model/type registration or the highest "global" model approval for the whole EU which US/JAP Insights apparently don't have as they weren't meant for the market anyway..
I'll ask our national office in Prague, Czech Rep. how costly is to order such a "study" or for any help in that regard..
---
2. Secondly, we can pick and choose one specific country somewhere not far from the Belgium/German major harbours and with the lowest rates for this model/type approval were forum member resides. The procedure should be almost the same everywhere..
In my location (lots of US imports) they (DEKRA) suggest to have the following basic arrangement in mind for the easiest/least costly procedure:
- good technical/working vehicle
- knowledge of full tech. specification for the car
- the existence of EU based similar model (if lights and other parts don't comply)
Obviously it is more detailed:
http://www.usmd.cz/dovozy_z_usa.php
PS Also one has to take into account the entire cost for the import if we get the model approval:
- US price
- shipping to EU harbor + local destination
- customs 10% (less for older?) and VAT ~15-20%
- SVA/technical inspection and non EU import registration fee
As mentioned above the best approach for the Insights community is to have model/type approval for the US/JAP versions of this hybrid, now such a "homologisation" would be valid for the entire EU and perhaps help others someway in the middle of the legal jungle (Norway, Swiss, etc..)..
Given that Insights as factory made hybrids are slowly reaching their usefull productive lifespan, this model approval might have even more sense now, because pricing might drop (against new hybrids on the after/market). And most importantely, Insights could get another life as full EV individual conversion a task for which they are great platform! Now, individual EV conversions are best achievable if you start with already SVA or national technical inspection equivalent registered car.
---
There is a list of practical steps we can pursue to determine validity of this effort:
1. Firstly, we have to determine as to whether some EU member country has already issued this kind of model/type approval.
There are almost 30countries now, so chances are that someone, somewhere has done it in the past! However, take into account that easiest individual approvals of imports are not upheld by other national authorities (you can't legalize it elsewhere) - it has to be that costly (1-3k EUR) national model/type registration or the highest "global" model approval for the whole EU which US/JAP Insights apparently don't have as they weren't meant for the market anyway..
I'll ask our national office in Prague, Czech Rep. how costly is to order such a "study" or for any help in that regard..
---
2. Secondly, we can pick and choose one specific country somewhere not far from the Belgium/German major harbours and with the lowest rates for this model/type approval were forum member resides. The procedure should be almost the same everywhere..
In my location (lots of US imports) they (DEKRA) suggest to have the following basic arrangement in mind for the easiest/least costly procedure:
- good technical/working vehicle
- knowledge of full tech. specification for the car
- the existence of EU based similar model (if lights and other parts don't comply)
Obviously it is more detailed:
http://www.usmd.cz/dovozy_z_usa.php
PS Also one has to take into account the entire cost for the import if we get the model approval:
- US price
- shipping to EU harbor + local destination
- customs 10% (less for older?) and VAT ~15-20%
- SVA/technical inspection and non EU import registration fee
#2 continues>>
-----------------
We can also determine the cost of this model/type approval procedure if we get more precise info about all the major differences between US/EU/JAP Insights:
-> gauges/LCD panel = metric (km/h) is user selectable => no issue
-> front lights/signal = can please someone driving EU based Insight meassure the
a/ height of the lights from the ground
b/ alignment
AND TAKE PICTURES IN SWITCHED ON/OFF POSITION
(and the same for the US version)
-> tail lights/signal = can please someone driving EU based Insight meassure the
a/ height of the lights
b/ alignment
AND TAKE PICTURES IN SWITCHED ON/OFF POSITION
(and the same for the US version)
-> one has to add those small side signal lights
-> one has to add front bumper plate frame
-> engine/exhaust/emissions should be the same
(foreign imports should be legal upto 8yrs of the vehicle age - so the 2000 gen Insights could make it this year)
===> with this information hopefully we can get more precise quotation for the price of the approval..
---------
For the likely event of discrepancy US/EU model can someone contact their EU based Honda dealer and
get pricing for service parts the entire front/rear lights assemblies and/or their subcomponents.
Is it still possible to order these?
Here are some examples of the US versus EU model, if you identify even more differencies pls. post it..
US model (gray import to Lithuania/EU):
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showD ... geNumber=1
EU model (probably from that limited German import batch):
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showD ... geNumber=1
Thanks
-----------------
We can also determine the cost of this model/type approval procedure if we get more precise info about all the major differences between US/EU/JAP Insights:
-> gauges/LCD panel = metric (km/h) is user selectable => no issue
-> front lights/signal = can please someone driving EU based Insight meassure the
a/ height of the lights from the ground
b/ alignment
AND TAKE PICTURES IN SWITCHED ON/OFF POSITION
(and the same for the US version)
-> tail lights/signal = can please someone driving EU based Insight meassure the
a/ height of the lights
b/ alignment
AND TAKE PICTURES IN SWITCHED ON/OFF POSITION
(and the same for the US version)
-> one has to add those small side signal lights
-> one has to add front bumper plate frame
-> engine/exhaust/emissions should be the same
(foreign imports should be legal upto 8yrs of the vehicle age - so the 2000 gen Insights could make it this year)
===> with this information hopefully we can get more precise quotation for the price of the approval..
---------
For the likely event of discrepancy US/EU model can someone contact their EU based Honda dealer and
get pricing for service parts the entire front/rear lights assemblies and/or their subcomponents.
Is it still possible to order these?
Here are some examples of the US versus EU model, if you identify even more differencies pls. post it..
US model (gray import to Lithuania/EU):
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showD ... geNumber=1
EU model (probably from that limited German import batch):
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showD ... geNumber=1
Thanks
Just to let you know that somebody recently imported a Japanese 00 Insight into Ireland without problems.
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=778270
I had a look at the car and it doesn't have the Mph/Kph switch. Did have the original Japanese Sat Nav/TV though.
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=778270
I had a look at the car and it doesn't have the Mph/Kph switch. Did have the original Japanese Sat Nav/TV though.
Thanks for the info,
but my point is that although these individual imports form US/JAP are indeed possible, they are pricey to make street legal and CAN NOT be sold/registered again in another EU member state, unless they have either 1/ global model approval (which they don't have) 2/ national model approval (which they don't have) but could be bought if several people chip in..
Also, RHD type of imports from IE/UK are impossible to legalize in many continental states anyway..
Unless you drive on insurance and plates from abroad, that's again expensive, not practical..
:?
but my point is that although these individual imports form US/JAP are indeed possible, they are pricey to make street legal and CAN NOT be sold/registered again in another EU member state, unless they have either 1/ global model approval (which they don't have) 2/ national model approval (which they don't have) but could be bought if several people chip in..
Also, RHD type of imports from IE/UK are impossible to legalize in many continental states anyway..
Unless you drive on insurance and plates from abroad, that's again expensive, not practical..
:?
All,
A model report does exist for both the MT & CVT insight and is listed on the VOSA web site.
I found this in the last couple of days as I intend to import a CVT from Ireland that was originally registered in Japan.
It is on a list of public model reports with contact details for the owner of the Model Report listed as Goldseal.
I talked to Goldseal and they charge £350+vat for rental of the model report. You just need to provide them with the VIN number of the vehicle and they will forward authorisation for the use of the model report to the DVLA.
Public Model reports available are listed on the VOSA web site:
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/publications/modelreports/modelreports.htm
Richard
A model report does exist for both the MT & CVT insight and is listed on the VOSA web site.
I found this in the last couple of days as I intend to import a CVT from Ireland that was originally registered in Japan.
It is on a list of public model reports with contact details for the owner of the Model Report listed as Goldseal.
I talked to Goldseal and they charge £350+vat for rental of the model report. You just need to provide them with the VIN number of the vehicle and they will forward authorisation for the use of the model report to the DVLA.
Public Model reports available are listed on the VOSA web site:
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/publications/modelreports/modelreports.htm
Richard
In talking to the DVLA & VOSA, the SVA/ESVA test will shortly be replaced by a scheme called IVA. No new SVA/ESVA applications will be allowed from the last day of Feb 2009.
Working to get more details on the IVA to clarify if this will make it easier or harder!!
Full information on IVA here:
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/c...ndividualvehicleapprovalinspectionmanuals.htm
Look like the existing model report could still be used...
Richard
Working to get more details on the IVA to clarify if this will make it easier or harder!!
Full information on IVA here:
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/c...ndividualvehicleapprovalinspectionmanuals.htm
Look like the existing model report could still be used...
Richard
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