The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Several used car dealers yesterday said they were “100 per cent” behind the  Government’s decision to ban the importation of wrecked vehicles more than 10 years old, one telling Tribune Business the policy should have been implemented “a long time ago”.

S & L Auto proprietor, Solomon Uboh, told Tribune Business he had no problem with the Government’s policy, which will prohibit the importation of vehicles more than 10 years-old from September 1 this year.

“We don’t have any problem with it. I think that that will help the car business,” he said. “I don’t bring in wrecked cars.  I focus on Japanese vehicles.

“Right now, any car that is over 10 years has more emissions than newer cars. There are a lot of people who don’t have a Business License but they’re bringing in cars and selling them on the side of the road. We are at a disadvantage there because we run lots, we have staff and we pay for utilities.”

Mr Uboh added: “That is something that really affects the industry. That is one of the reasons why a lot of people don’t come to the lots any more.

“If the boat comes now from Japan, 60 per cent of the cars belong to individuals  who  are buying one or two, selling them on the side or using them.”

During his 2015-2016 Budget address, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced a ban on the importation of wrecked vehicles, plus cars more than ten years old.

Jay Allen, proprietor of Jay Allen’s Auto Sales, told Tribune Business: “I fully support that decision to tell you the truth. I think we should put some kind of limit on what age of car can be imported into the country.

“I think that the Government should have put a policy like this in place  a long time ago. I think that this is good. There are a lot of other countries doing it.”

Mr Allen added: “We need to stop all of these old cars from coming in. I really really don’t import old cars; my cars are 2012 and up. In terms of the 10-year limit that the Government has introduced, I 100 per cent support that policy.

“The  Government really needs to do more for car dealers. For an island this small we don’t really need a bunch of old cars on the street, and I think that would put a control on this bunch of old cars. I think that the Government needs to create a policy that will allow us to bring cars in cheaper.”