Planning a Trip to Japan. Thinking of Picking up an EV to Send Back While There. Worth It?

tunzafun001 on 15/02/2024 - 14:25

So many EV's/ PHEV's we don't have here.

Have a trip to Japan planned, thought why not buy a car while there (possibly drive it around for the trip…then ship it back).

Am I a genius or goose?

Will need to suss the insurance sitch. But for example, lets say you grab a Mitsi Outlander PHEV. Their model has seat, audio and a few other options we don't have here. But 99% of the car is the same (no sunroof, ours have sunroofs). How does an insurance company value it. Surely an agreed valued policy makes no difference?

Cheers

Automotive Asia Electric Vehicle Japan

Comments

  • Drakesy on 15/02/2024 - 14:30
    +6

    From my understanding if the model is sold here you won't be able to import it (unless you fork out a significant amount of tax) which makes it cost prohibitive.
    As far as i know the Outland PHEV is sold here so it'll be an expenno job. It's more specialised types like early corolla hybrids, Crown Hybrids kei cars and special editions of certain cars.

    Teslas, BYDs etc would largely all be off the cards.

    There're importers that specialise in this and if you flag a certain car they might be able to help you in getting it back to australia.

    • netjock on 15/02/2024 - 16:53
      +2

      You can but you need to have it owned it for 12 months then import it, still need to pay for shipping and compliance

      • HeWhoKnows on 16/02/2024 - 10:20
        +1

        Id like to see how OP goes with this.

        Let OP go through all the hoops and associated costs and then put up a post on how to to this.

        What a great post that would be for intending EV buyers and all !

    • tunzafun001 on 15/02/2024 - 22:10

      How different does it have to be though? As you can't buy their spec model car here. But at least 99% of the parts would be the same.
      Also the 'Goodcar company' import 1000's of Nissan Leafs, which are the 99% the same as what you can buy here already.

      • Drakesy on 15/02/2024 - 23:24

        My only guess is they must have picked them up for cents in the dollar.

        They do only have a 30kwh battery pack so id imagine they'd struggle to resell compared to the new evs

        • tunzafun001 on 16/02/2024 - 00:29
          +1

          Had a look on some Japanese sales sites. Goodcar pick up $9k Leafs, and sell for around $20k. So approx 100% markup (before costs). But good on em..niche market and got in early.

          • netjock on 16/02/2024 - 09:37

            @tunzafun001: If you've done enough research you'll find out.

            Shipping is like $3k (roll on roll off)
            GST of 10%
            Compliance cost ($1k+)
            Then you got to pay for rego and stamp duty

            It is crazy.

            Your $9k car is like $16k, sell for $20k. $4k profit provided they haven't padded up anything else.

    • HeWhoKnows on 16/02/2024 - 09:37

      Furthermore it must meet Australian design rules and would require certain modifications to comply.

      If it was that easy dear OP then everyone would be doing this.

      And another consideration would be that OP would have NO WARRANTY for a grey import !

      So the anwser to OPs question is GOOSE!

      • tunzafun001 on 16/02/2024 - 21:52

        Thought things might have changed since we scraped all manufacturing here.
        Yeah, warranty is a big issue for some battery types for sure and you would need the car to be thousands less to mitigate the extra risks.
        Quack :)

        • HeWhoKnows on 17/02/2024 - 18:27

          Design rules still apply
          They apply to any cars made or imported into Australia.

          No why would anyone "neg" the obvious that I stated.

          Some people just cant accept THE TRUTH

  • node modules on 15/02/2024 - 14:38
    +2

    From my observation 1% or less of cars there are EVs. Not sure what this says about charging infrastructure however.

    • Noblejoker on 16/02/2024 - 11:16

      Correct - went last year around major cities and very few EV
      Anecdote but Japanese host told me most people are waiting for Toyota to decide Elec or Hydrogen

  • 87percent on 15/02/2024 - 14:42
    +4

    last time i looked into it, you need to have owned the car for a period of time before you could import it.. you also needed to apply for importation

    • JIMB0 on 15/02/2024 - 15:00
      +2

      That's only if it's not on the SEVs register. If it's on the register you can bring it here straight away.

    • HeWhoKnows on 16/02/2024 - 10:18

      15 year old car typically doesnt attract import duties

  • Cluster on 15/02/2024 - 14:47
    +2

    I would start here:

    https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-v…

    Looking at the steps involved, do you think it's worth it?

  • JIMB0 on 15/02/2024 - 15:05
    +4

    You can import cars from Japan through an agent without having to go there. The advantage of going there is that you get to check it out for yourself, buy it, drive it around before committing to export/import costs. There are dealers in Australia who sell cars that are already imported and complied. This has less risk as you can check it out thoroughly and get it straight away. You'll pay extra for the privilege though.

  • alexlim2000 on 15/02/2024 - 15:08
    +2

    Have a conversation with the team at Go-Garage, they specialise in importing JDM cars, including Hybrids and PHEVs.

    Disclosure - One of the owners is a mate of mine.

    • netjock on 15/02/2024 - 16:54
      +3

      Got a mate's rates referral code then? We're all friends here on OzB

      • Emphasise on 15/02/2024 - 17:12
        +5

        Yeah, say you're Alex Lim's mate and to verify, tell them you know he was born in the year 2000.

        • tunzafun001 on 15/02/2024 - 22:12
          +1

          Alex!! Added on $1000 straight up… ;)

  • El cheepo on 15/02/2024 - 15:09
    +2

    Goose

    • jv on 15/02/2024 - 15:47
      +1

      Duck, duck…

      • El cheepo on 15/02/2024 - 19:20
        +1

        I see you have played goose duck duck before.

  • payless69 on 15/02/2024 - 15:25
    +1

    A Mitsi built in Thailand from Japan?

  • cactoid on 15/02/2024 - 16:01

    Just an observation, but I recently did a 2 week trip to Japan and saw very few Tesla EVs — maybe a grand total of 8. Spent around 9 days in total between busy downtown areas in Tokyo and Kyoto.

    The EV import version of “F off, we’re full” perhaps?

    • Cluster on 15/02/2024 - 16:04
      +1

      Japan has traditionally been very resistant to imported cars, plus they have very efficient Kei cars that largely negate the benefits of EVs. Cars are usually not kept long enough to achieve the cost savings of using an EV. The standard power point is only 100v too making charging off normal power points even more glacially slow.

      • DazMon on 17/02/2024 - 20:20

        I noticed all these things too. Hybrid seems to be king in Japan.

  • Broke-Ken on 15/02/2024 - 16:11
    +11

    You're a goose, a naive goose at that.

    • First off, if it's 99% similar to a car that is already locally sold here, then it can't be imported. (There are ways, but I won't go into it as it's not worth it)
    • Even if it's 99% similar to ones sold here, Local dealerships will not touch it and will not help you. especially Mitsubishi, who have been strongly against opening up Australia to grey imports.
    • Good luck looking up parts as your car will be a different VIN, so nothing will match up.
    • Infotainment system will be in Japanese, radio band is different so you can't even use that.
    • You'll be paying a premium for insurance even if it's the same as a local one.

    That's all just about importing the car here. Purchasing a car to be able to drive on the roads of Japan is a whole other can of worms.

    • You need to have a Japanese driver's license, a residential address in Japan, and also proof you have a parking spot(Either own or rent) that will fit the car, that is close by your residential address. A local police officer will visit your parking spot with a tape measure to make sure it's big enough.
    • Then you have to consider all the other stuff like Rego, insurance and Shaken(Road Worthy), ETC Toll account… etc…
    • And then when you're done with all that, deregistration and export process for it to leave the country. and then the import process to allow it into Aus.

    I'd say don't bother.

    • RockyRaccoon on 15/02/2024 - 17:04

      Just add trying to sell it after you've run the battery out…..

    • tunzafun001 on 15/02/2024 - 22:15

      @Broke-Ken Good post..cheers.

  • Euphemistic on 15/02/2024 - 16:11
    +2

    Its probablyly not going to be financially worth while unless its a 'special' car. Not just something you can get in aus, but with slightly different features.

  • Mechz on 15/02/2024 - 16:13
    +3

    Just go watch how Mighty Car Mods does it.

    Hint, they use friends that have import businesses. Much easier to select what you want through them and have them do all the paperwork and logistics.

  • ass3ts on 15/02/2024 - 17:41

    Not worth it, especially if you don't have anyone there who can handle the paperwork for you. Just enjoy your holiday.

  • Rob-4x4 on 16/02/2024 - 08:54
    +2

    As others have said we have a protected vehicle market with the protections from when cars were manufactured in Australia still in place.

    It is a significant reason why new and near new vehicles are so expensive in Australia compared to other markets and why vehicle distributors can get away with such large markups in Australia (I have seen 100 percent markups from landed cost including all taxes and shipping and retail price).

    The result of this is you will be hit with large taxes if you try and privately import a new or near new vehicle.

    • tunzafun001 on 16/02/2024 - 11:25

      So someone high up has an invested interest in keeping dealers pockets well stuffed. NZ roads have a mass of imports.

      Then double down with no real EV incentives to ensure we don't have any real decent options for our conditions.

      For example, how many 4WD models do we have with 30+kwh batteries??

  • skillet on 16/02/2024 - 10:43
    +3

    You want EV you go China not Japan. Unfortunately China cars driver side is opposite of countries with Kings.

  • 82norm on 16/02/2024 - 13:01

    Why no poll?

    • tunzafun001 on 16/02/2024 - 21:48
      +2

      I think I'm a unanimous potato!

  • WT on 16/02/2024 - 14:31

    not genius, youre only like 30-35 years late. I feel the average person should know how to use google and the first hit would tell you its a not really viable, ergo youre below average mate

    In stead of just ragging on you, here is some advice I learnt a long time ago, so long I was a child. Is the question im aqbut to ask sound stupid?

  • jrvb42 on 16/02/2024 - 21:40

    Don't they drive on the right side of the road, that is, the wrong side of the road. Won't the vehicle be a*se about with driver seat and controls?

    • tunzafun001 on 16/02/2024 - 21:55

      Japan is the same as here. China on the right.

  • DoctorArd on 28/02/2024 - 14:53

    Have you looked at the Good Car Company? I heard about them through the Aussie Firebug podcast.

  • Saku-kurata on 29/02/2024 - 17:21
    +1

    If it's that simple, everyone would've done it. Forget about importing cars from Japan. You have to be in business or total nuts about JDM to do it.

    • tunzafun001 on 01/03/2024 - 01:28
      +1

      Yes and no. For example, people buy phone 'stuff' from malls all the time..that you can buy yourself on your couch from Ali Express for 1/20th the price.
      I've always bought my cars from auction. Normally use for 5 yrs, and sell for more than I bought it for. But hardly anyone.else does it.

      • DazMon on 01/03/2024 - 09:41

        What 'stuff'?

    • mini2 on 04/03/2024 - 08:52

      It's not that hard. Pay the usual suspects their fees; they can source the car and hold your hands through each step.

      Once you've got a system down pat, it's minimal effort. It's just phone calls/emails and pay $ when needed.

  • Rob-4x4 on 05/03/2024 - 08:50
    +1

    Unfortunately there is still to much government protection of the profit margin of Vehicle importers in Australia still in place.
    The protection was put in place to protect vehicle manufactures in Australia , which of course no longer exist.

    Now it just helps support the profit margins of vehicle importers.

    For example when I did some work for a well known vehicle company an number of years ago I got to see some of their numbers. At the time they worked on around a 100 percent markup from landed cost including all shipping , taxes, port fees etc and retail at the dealer. Some of this is of course valid for things like shipping from port to the dealer.. but a lot is just price gouging ..

    This government protection prevents Australians from cost effectively privately importing new or near new vehicles, especially JDM models or things like dual cab utes from Thailand ….

    That is also why it is cheaper to buy near new send and vehicles in places like New Zealand as they do not have the market protection in place that Australia does.

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