Thursday 18th July 2002

Increased Imports

Punters still saving thousands

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[Bodo]

I've just read an article about new EEC laws for new car sales/distribution, which will increase the competition.

No doubt, the €€€ will be an advantage for cheaper retail prices in the UK.

However, I wonder where they get the RHD from the continent

[Terminator]

I assume they get them via Continental main dealers, but get more discount for bulk purchasing. EEC law prevents the manufacturers from refusing to supply RHD to Continental dealers.

I bought my wife a new full UK-spec Ford Galaxy Ghia from a Ford main dealer in Bruges last year. Ok, I had to wait 20 weeks for delivery but I saved about £3500 on-the-road. The car was shipped to the UK, registered and taxed, all done from the comfort of my office via the net.

[bosshog]

Bodo,
how did you type the euro's sign?

[Bodo]

[Alt Gr] + [E]
The € does not appear in this board's [Preview], but in the text as you can see

[spnracing]

Both our cars are imports the Fiat Seicento is a Belgian import through the Great Trade Centre (paid 5995, list price was 8295 at the time). Merc is an Irish import (saved about 5K on UK list though the UK cars are higher spec.)

I don't see the point in paying UK dealer prices, so you can be 'looked after' by a swarmy car salesman. If either cars break, they're still under warranty so they'll get fixed anyway.

[Bodo]

Just compared UK with German Prices
(dont know if there are differences in spec.)

On the road prices in	Germany		UK
	EUR	GBP	GBP
90 Td 5 Soft Top/Pick Up	22.300	14.272	17,480
110 Td 5 Station Wagon	27.600	17.664	24,070
New Range Rover V8 from	72.000	46.080	49,995

>> Edited by Bodo on Thursday 18th July 15:10

[spnracing]

Do the German prices include VAT (which you have to pay when you import the car)?

[spnracing]

By the way, I went to a couple dealers in the Netherlands before I purchased the Merc at a car supermarket in the UK. The NL dealers couldn't get near the supermarket's price, though admittedly their cars were far higher spec. I just didn't want to pay for the extra toys.

[Bodo]

quote:
Do the German prices include VAT (which you have to pay when you import the car)?

Yep, they include VAT @16%

[ninja_eli]

Nearly bought a 996 C4S from Belgium, who actually offered a 3% discount and at the exchange rate at that time it worked out something like £6K cheaper (inc VAT). Identical spec.

Some German dealers were offering no discounts but most of Europe is a similar price, so best choice is a dealer who has done it before as this will save hassle, plus ensure that the deposit is paid by credit card in case things get ugly.

[Hipperson]

AS a small leasing company we buy imported cars from dealers in this country who already have them in stock.Immediate delivery.Their profit is around £800.But well worth it to have it delivered to your door taxed and plated.Manufacturers warranty is now 2 years.Any problems with an English dealer who is reluctant to do warranty quote EU Directive 1999/44/EC.This week 2 Mondeo Zetec TDci Estates saved £3000 each (Holland)
Transit 350LWB saved £5000 (Spain)These problems are not the English dealers fault.Main dealer gross margin is normally only 5% on pre-VAT price leaving nothing to give away.

[stevenrt]

I wonder how much a base Elise costs on the continent?