Nov 29
GM’s Stance on Anti-Theft Devices: All Smoke and Mirrors
You may remember Sarah Oko from this report on GlobalTV Edmonton earlier this week. She purchased a GMC Sierra in the US, but Transport Canada’s bureaucrats will not let her register it in Canada because GM will not certify that its anti-theft device meets new Canadian standards.
Now, Sarah has discovered what appears to be a smoking gun:
I am happy to announce that I think we are flying to Michigan to pick up our truck next week. All of this hoopla is regarding an immobilizer device. We had the US dealer check our truck and give us that part number. For the GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax the part #15845229 in case anyone needs to know. I have called my General Mortors dealership here in Canada, St Albert to be exact and they have confirmed that it is the same part number of the device here that is on its Canadian version of the truck.
Just to be sure that ours has the CSA approval, we are going to have the $200 part reinstalled on our truck, even though its the same one thats already on there. Just to proove Transport Canada that they are liars, and that they are not admitting my truck because of other reasons. How can they deny my truck if it’s got the part installed by a certified dealership? I will remortgage my house to hire a lawyer to sue the government if they do, because I have complied with every single thing they asked.
Shame on GM for hiding behind a fabrication of their own creation in order to gouge Canadian consumers. Shame on Transport Canada for letting them do it. Where is Lawrence Cannon today?
November 29th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
This further supports what we’ve been hearing elsewhere regarding other vehicle makes and models. The same thing was confirmed about the 2008 Toyota Siennas earlier this week. However, the manufacturers have apparently installed these devices in a different harder-to-reach location for the canadian models than for US models in order to meet the canadian requirement that it take at least 5 minutes to defeat the device versus 3.5 minutes for the US requirements. So despite the fact that the devices are seemingly identical in US and canadian models, the OEMs will not budge on the admissibiilty thing citing the fact that they are installed in a different location and that it is apparently not possible to relocate them or replace them to comply with canadian standards. This is absolute nonsense and the TC must reveal this for what it is. The VAFUS is being abused by the OEMs to block trade - this has little to do with complying with canadian safety standards. Give ‘em hell….
Carl Paquin (netdog)
November 29th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Honda/Acura USA also cited the positioning of the immobilizer as to why it was not compliant. If this is the only issue, couldn’t you just have it reinstalled at a Canadian dealer so that it adheres to CMVSS 114 (using approved mounting brackets, etc)? The manufacturers then couldn’t cite that it makes the car unsafe since you had installed my a manufacturer certified technician?
November 29th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Steve, if the manufacturers were motivated they could do this, but they are not. If they were the cost would likely be a rip off like BMW say $5000 or more!!!!!!!!!!
November 29th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
I read CMVSS 114 and can not find anything re the position of the immobilizer - can someone expand?
November 29th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Where did you find CMVSS 114? I’d like to read the complete document.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:11 am
John, the CMVSS 114 merely states the requirement that it should not be possible to defeat the device in less than 5 minutes. To meet this requirment, many OEMs have simply put their devices in a hard-to-reach location somewhere in the engine compartment. The US standard is not as strict (3.5 minutes instead of 5) so OEMs can position them for easier access.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Sarah,
Who and how did you get the excemption letter? My 08 Corvette has the immoblizer device and I still can’t get anyone to listen. Please HELP.
November 30th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
This whole situation would be solved and nobody would have to be looking for part numbers, immobilzer specs, etc. if those guys in Transport Canada harmonized the regulations. For five years they have made it impossible for the manufacturers to harmonize. The 5 minute vs 3.5 minute is a good example. Why are they creating all these problems for us so that they can “show” the US who is boss. I have e-mailed all MP’s that I felt have any influence in caucus and have met with my MP who has met with the Minister of Transport. The Minister of Tranpsort does not appear to know that his bureaucrats are at the heart of the problem. They just want their way and will not accept harmonization….and we pay and pay and pay and pay.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
This just posted on the TC site..Appears TC soon may have some amendments on the immobilizer issue..
http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2007/07-h227e.htm
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:22 am
Paul….We didnt get an exemption letter….From what I understand on the corvettes is there is a bumper issue as well, is there not? If its the immobilizer device thats an issue, it seems the proposed changes will benefit you if there is a factory immobilizer installed in that car, and I cannot see GM selling a brand new corvette without. Paul, feel free to email me at sarah@insurcanada.com and we can trade info if you need. Hopefully the new proposed changes work in your favor. Are you the one in Edmonton as well? If you are, I also have been talking to my MP’s office daily…I can get you the assistant and secretary’s email.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:45 am
I hope to be able to import a GM vehicle manufactured after Sept 1, 2007 and that has a factory installed electronic immobilizer. I will insure and title the vehicle in the US as we have a residence there and then import it. The selling agent advised me yesterday GM had written to him to discourage him from selling vehicles to Canadians and to advise him he could no longer provide a recall letter. Apparently, the importer must obtain the recall letter from GM Canada for a $235 fee. Notwithstanding this development, I and he think he can provide me with a letter as I will title the vehicle in the US. In any case, I understand TC has contracted with CarFax to provide a vehicle history so I don’t know why TC would not accept a Carfax report as a complete Carfax report includes a statement about outstanding recalls.
What is disturbing about this whole issue is the lack of involvement from the Honorable Minister of International Trade. It would seem clear some manufacturers are actively pursuing strategies to thwart free trade of goods covered under NAFTA. Why the Honorable Minister is not actively involved is a mystery. While some would argue purchasing a container of cottage cheese should not cost the consumer more money on one side of the border than on the other, in the context of currency parity, I believe it is unlikely the US retailer of cottage cheese will be instructed by the cottage cheese manufacturer to not sell cottage cheese to Canadians. It appears to me some vehicle manufacturers would like Transport Canada to require Canadians to obtain a permanent tatoo on their foreheads so that if they are traveling in the US, retailers will be able to readily identify them and refuse to sell them goods. I mean if it’s good for vehicle manufacturers, why not for all retailers? At the very least, some vehicle manufacturers appear to want Transport Canada to apply a Harmonization Tax on vehicles imported into Canada so Importers would have to pay the same amount for their imported vehicle as someone purchasing an identical vehicle in Canada. Of course the booty would be shared 50/50 between the Feds and the vehicle manufacturers. This would be a truely Canadian solution that would eliminate any advantage importers might realize, put more money in the hands of Government, subsidize Canadian vehicle retailers, and create a new Goverment department, The Ministry of Harmonization. As this is my idea I think I should be in line for the Deputy Minister job. I think this job would come with a vehicle, most likely a Lada.
December 6th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Can anyone help me? I would like to buy a brand new Sierra. I’m having no luck with any dealerships. I live in St. Albert, AB and I was thinking of having it shipped up to me so I was hoping not to have to get one to far from home. If anyone can help at all and doesn’t want to post in comment , please shoot me an email at dam_man@telusplanet.net Thanks.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
If GM’s have the same parts in canada and usa, and the USA purchased cars are NOT acceptable, someone should contact the canadian boarder services and advise them that GM is bringing in cars that are NOT acceptable. do that to a few models and dry up GM Canada’s supply of cars. THEN they would take notice
Same to Honda and others that are playing games
December 13th, 2007 at 7:33 am
This just showed up in my in box from Westgate Chev, an Edmonton dealership.
Dear Dan,
Great News! General Motors has responded! With up to $14,000 in price adjustments** and 0% purchase financing on virtually all 2007 models and select 2008 models† - now’s the time to buy. Click on the image below to find out per model incentive!
Safe Holiday Motoring!
Keith
This is the link they left
http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/corporate/offers/price-adjustment/overview
I have never contacted this dealer so I presume he got it from this website as it is the only site I have left my emial
left my email on. Look it over and tell me what you think. Feel free to quote this reply and my other one
on a different post if you think it will get more exposure elsewhere.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:34 am
This just showed up in my in box from Westgate Chev, an Edmonton dealership.
Dear Dan,
Great News! General Motors has responded! With up to $14,000 in price adjustments** and 0% purchase financing on virtually all 2007 models and select 2008 models† - now’s the time to buy. Click on the image below to find out per model incentive!
Safe Holiday Motoring!
Keith
This is the link they left
http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/corporate/offers/price-adjustment/overview
I have never contacted this dealer so I presume he got it from this website as it is the only one I left my email on. Look it over and tell me what you think. Feel free to quote this reply and my other one
on a different post if you think it will get more exposure elsewhere.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:41 am
for some reason that doesn’t work try this one
http://gmcanada.ca/gm/english/corporate/offers/price-adjustment/overview?adv=CHPENB025