Shannons puts its support behind Federal Govt’s 25-year importation rule for enthusiast vehicles

The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce changes to the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. One of the key changes that will positively affect motoring enthusiasts will be to improve the existing arrangements for importing exotic, rare, classic, collectable and special purpose vehicles.

Currently, individuals can only import a car or motorcycle under concessional arrangements if it is manufactured before January 1 1989. Keeping this fixed date would have steadily reduced the scope for importing genuine classic cars, threatening what is an ever important industry in Australia, especially given the impending departure of local vehicle production.

The new rule will allow a vehicle which is at least 25 years old to be imported under the revised arrangements.

Shannons Marketing Manager – Mark Behr said  ”Shannons has been heavily involved in working with the Government over some time, to replace the January 1989 scheme with a rolling 25 year scheme. We have put the case forward, on behalf of the motoring enthusiast community, to allow them access to the modern classics of the future. The government‘s decision should be applauded by all motoring enthusiasts. This new legislation will ensure continued prosperity for the motoring enthusiast industry, preserve important vehicle history and allow ongoing generations of enthusiasts to enjoy the hobby.

This decision will also enable the continued health of the car club movement, who often make important contributions to charity groups throughout Australia so there is a real social benefit as well as an economic one. As many people know, the associated motoring enthusiast industries – restoration services, mechanical repairs and so on make an enormous contribution to Australia’s economic wellbeing”.

Legislation to implement the changes will be introduced into Parliament later this year and the new rules are planned to be in place effective 2018.

For further information visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/mv_standards_act