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For Immediate Release
Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) wrong to attack Right Hand Drivers
VICTORIA, Nov. 10
Today, the Canadian Association of Vehicle Importers (CAVI), which represents almost 100 independent vehicle importers nationwide, is calling on CADA to retract its inaccurate public statements and apologize to Canadians who choose to collect and drive right hand drive (RHD) vehicles. ``Theirs is an entirely
unfair position to take, considering CADA is neither qualified to determine vehicle safety, nor are they basing their comments on objective research,`` said Dale Leier, Managing Director of CAVI.
The 15-year exclusion rule that allows all vehicles, whether RHD or not, to be imported is not a loophole. This is the law of Canada and is intended to allow collectors and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique vehicles from around the world before they become irreplaceable.
The ICBC study that CADA is referencing in its call to increase the exclusion rule from 15 to 25 years upon has been completely discredited. Not only is ICBC unable to provide the original data used for their study, an independent review commissioned by the Imported Vehicle Owners Association of Canada (IVOAC) found results of the ICBC study to be totally inconclusive. At best, the IVOAC`s reviewers felt the ICBC results were inconclusive.
In response to CADA`s view that RHD vehicles are dirty and dangerous, Mr. Leier points to ICBC`s website where it states no evidence to suggest these vehicles are any more polluting than other vehicles of the same age. Moreover, driving vehicles on opposite sides is nothing new. In Japan, a 2010 Corvette can with left-hand steering can be purchased, while in the USA anyone can buy a RHD Wrangler from their neighbourhood Jeep dealer. ``So, when Mr. Gauthier talks about harmonizing with the USA in this regard, I can`t help but wonder exactly what law he has in mind,`` questioned Leier.
Mr. Leier goes on to point out the fact that there is ample evidence in other countries that opposite-side steering is nowhere near the problem CADA imagines. For example, over 2 million cars and trucks cross the English Channel
between the UK and Europe every year according to Eurotunnel statistics. Somehow, French LHD drivers are able to operate safely in the UK, and British RHD drivers are able to operate on the continent without any significant issues. Moreover, they routinely demonstrate these safe driving skills without any formal training whatsoever.
Therefore, CADA`s position on RHD vehicles is curious, considering these vehicles make up less than .05% of the Canadian vehicle fleet. While only Mr. Gauthier is privy to the timing of CADA`s publicly pronounced penchant for safety, Leier finds it noteworthy that Statistics Canada reported new vehicle sales tanking in September just one week before. ``I sure hope things aren`t so bad that CADA`s dealers need to shut the door to a measly 3,000 RHD vehicles a year in order to survive, Leier said.
``Surely CADA can find other ways to help boost sales than to beat up on a small group of enthusiasts and collectors harming nobody. If they really want to improve road safety, they should join us in advocating better driver training and testing. Otherwise, there would seem to be no good reason why the UK, France, Germany and Japan should all have lower accident rates per 100,000 km`s driven than either Canada or the USA.``
Meanwhile, CAVI is calling on the manufacturers to build more of the kinds of cars that people want to buy. Consumers have an acute sense of value and will vote with their dollars where they see benefit. ``Let the marketplace dictate what people drive, not a special interest group such as the CADA,`` declared Leier.
The Canadian Association of Vehicle Importers is the national association of a group of independent business people and individuals who import vehicles on behalf of collectors and enthusiasts across Canada. For further information, contact Dale Leier, Managing Director, CAVI by telephone at (250) 920-9955 or email dale@cavi.ca.
Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) wrong to attack Right Hand Drivers
VICTORIA, Nov. 10
Today, the Canadian Association of Vehicle Importers (CAVI), which represents almost 100 independent vehicle importers nationwide, is calling on CADA to retract its inaccurate public statements and apologize to Canadians who choose to collect and drive right hand drive (RHD) vehicles. ``Theirs is an entirely
unfair position to take, considering CADA is neither qualified to determine vehicle safety, nor are they basing their comments on objective research,`` said Dale Leier, Managing Director of CAVI.
The 15-year exclusion rule that allows all vehicles, whether RHD or not, to be imported is not a loophole. This is the law of Canada and is intended to allow collectors and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique vehicles from around the world before they become irreplaceable.
The ICBC study that CADA is referencing in its call to increase the exclusion rule from 15 to 25 years upon has been completely discredited. Not only is ICBC unable to provide the original data used for their study, an independent review commissioned by the Imported Vehicle Owners Association of Canada (IVOAC) found results of the ICBC study to be totally inconclusive. At best, the IVOAC`s reviewers felt the ICBC results were inconclusive.
In response to CADA`s view that RHD vehicles are dirty and dangerous, Mr. Leier points to ICBC`s website where it states no evidence to suggest these vehicles are any more polluting than other vehicles of the same age. Moreover, driving vehicles on opposite sides is nothing new. In Japan, a 2010 Corvette can with left-hand steering can be purchased, while in the USA anyone can buy a RHD Wrangler from their neighbourhood Jeep dealer. ``So, when Mr. Gauthier talks about harmonizing with the USA in this regard, I can`t help but wonder exactly what law he has in mind,`` questioned Leier.
Mr. Leier goes on to point out the fact that there is ample evidence in other countries that opposite-side steering is nowhere near the problem CADA imagines. For example, over 2 million cars and trucks cross the English Channel
between the UK and Europe every year according to Eurotunnel statistics. Somehow, French LHD drivers are able to operate safely in the UK, and British RHD drivers are able to operate on the continent without any significant issues. Moreover, they routinely demonstrate these safe driving skills without any formal training whatsoever.
Therefore, CADA`s position on RHD vehicles is curious, considering these vehicles make up less than .05% of the Canadian vehicle fleet. While only Mr. Gauthier is privy to the timing of CADA`s publicly pronounced penchant for safety, Leier finds it noteworthy that Statistics Canada reported new vehicle sales tanking in September just one week before. ``I sure hope things aren`t so bad that CADA`s dealers need to shut the door to a measly 3,000 RHD vehicles a year in order to survive, Leier said.
``Surely CADA can find other ways to help boost sales than to beat up on a small group of enthusiasts and collectors harming nobody. If they really want to improve road safety, they should join us in advocating better driver training and testing. Otherwise, there would seem to be no good reason why the UK, France, Germany and Japan should all have lower accident rates per 100,000 km`s driven than either Canada or the USA.``
Meanwhile, CAVI is calling on the manufacturers to build more of the kinds of cars that people want to buy. Consumers have an acute sense of value and will vote with their dollars where they see benefit. ``Let the marketplace dictate what people drive, not a special interest group such as the CADA,`` declared Leier.
The Canadian Association of Vehicle Importers is the national association of a group of independent business people and individuals who import vehicles on behalf of collectors and enthusiasts across Canada. For further information, contact Dale Leier, Managing Director, CAVI by telephone at (250) 920-9955 or email dale@cavi.ca.