Jul 21
SHHHHHH! Don’t Tell A Soul! …We Import U.S. Cars.
Commentary by Don O’Connor
No doubt http://www.CarsWithoutBorders.com readers, and members, realize that many dealers across Canada import U.S vehicles and resell them to consumers. It is a well-documented fact! So far, in the first half of 2008, Canadian News Wire reports that 151,169 U.S vehicles have been imported into Canada. According to sources at the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV), almost 81,000 of those imports were by businesses!
What caught me by surprise is how different regions portray this fact. As some of you may know, I used to work for a company that assisted dealers in importing vehicles from the United States. We travelled between Toronto and Ottawa promoting our software to local automotive associations and dealerships. Dealers in both cities were intrigued with the software, but reacted differently.
Some dealers in the Ottawa area have been importing U.S vehicles for many months, if not years. They would even go to the extreme of proudly announcing low priced American vehicles in newspaper ads and radio commercials. The advertisements went out of their way to say how these dealers shopped for the best prices for their customers. Essentially, the consumer was getting what they asked for…fair pricing.
Toronto was a completely different story. Despite the fact that some dealers were importing U.S vehicles no one was supposed to know, especially the consumer. Our attempt to align ourselves with the local automotive association fell on deaf ears. No one wanted to admit that they imported American cars for resale. It was like an episode of the
X Files. Admit nothing!
Why did these Toronto dealers react that way? Did they get pressure from their automaker to remain quiet? If so, why were Ottawa dealers shouting vehicle importation from the rooftops? Do these Toronto dealers believe the less said about importation the better? Better for whom? I guess some things are done differently in Toronto when compared to other municipalities in Canada. I just can’t help wonder why?
To be sure my comments are only an observation and not an accusation of any kind. It just illustrated how the same subject, in this case U.S. vehicle importation, is handled in different markets. Perhaps, that is where the answer lays…different markets. No cover-ups, no conspiracies, just different markets. I guess Scully and Mulder will continue chasing aliens instead.
Editors Note: Don O’Connor is a long time standing member and supporter of CarsWithoutBorders. He has extensive knowledge of the current state of affairs in the North American Automobile Market and his comments and insite into the business are always welcome.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I am just wondering what kind of dealer we are talking about? 3rd party used car dealer? or official brand dealership buying US used car or even new car and re-sale here? Toronto? Ottawa?
Regards,
Ernie
July 21st, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Many Toyota dealers in the Vancouver area have been importing Scion
vehicles and selling them, so it’s not always 3rd party dealers.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:10 pm
We had the nice example in Cornwall - Cornwall Toyota advertised in the papers that they were importing from the US. You can go back on our site and see the ad see January 12, 08 postings.
http://www.carswithoutborders.com/2008/01/page/4/
July 21st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Wellll…. I happen to BE from Ottawa, and I’m actively looking for a 2008 new Honda Accord sedan with or without leather, standard or automatic, that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg. Would Mr. O’Connor perchance know of any such dealer in the Ottawa area with whom I could do business? It would save me a lot of aggravation, not to mention dollars.
Many thanks.
(Other possible contenders would be Acura (2009, TSX model) or perhaps Lexus IS (same specifications))
July 21st, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I too am looking for a new 2008 Honda Accord sedan 4cyl automatic (EX or EXL) @ a reasonable price.Does anyone know of a dealer in Western Canada that imports from U.S.? I am willing to travel for the right deal.If i can’t do business with Honda how about a toyota dealer.I live in Edmonton
Gord
Thank y
July 21st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
So what we have are a lot of people wanting to buy in Canada at a dealer that buys in the US as long as they give a really good reasonable price! So why don’t the Canadian dealers come out of the closet?
July 21st, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I happen to look at Altima the other day, and realized that the american 3.5 SE is only worth how much we pay for a 3.5 S which is $28,000 … and with the currency pretty much on par, I honestly cannot shell out $28,000 for a 3.5 S when I know it can get me a SE version …. =/ canadian dealers are making big big big dollars
July 21st, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Gord, I know a dealer in Portland that can (will) supply Honda vehicles. Usually problem with warranty, but you get that anywhere. If you want the contact info - PM me
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 am
A great thread for establishing dealers willing to provide vehicles at
reasonable prices! I’m looking to get a new Mazda. Anyone know a US
dealer in the West?
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:56 am
PJ, PM me. I can supply name of a Mazda connection in Oregon
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Thank you all for reading my commentary. The dealerships in question
were new and used dealers. None were third party. If you happen to
live in the Ottawa area ask the dealer if they import U.S vehicles. Many
of them do and advertise that fact! Tell them what you’re looking for. Visit their websites and
send them an email with your details. You can always PM with questions
or comments. Thanks, again!
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
To PM someone from here it is a bit of a hassle, Just go to the forum, if you are not registered then do so. Then at the top to middle right you will see a tab “members”. click on that then you can find RJMBC. Click on PM to send him/her a private message. Hope this helps some of our new members.
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Don:
You referred to the ‘Ottawa area’ in your last reply. Is the Outaouais (across the river, in Quebec) included in this, as far as you know or do different regulations prevail there, with regard to the subject at hand?
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Ivon98:
It is not so much a regulation than it is a dealer/association choice. On the
Quebec side you may want to contact Mega or Gregoire. I do not represent
any dealer or receive compensation for mentioning their name or giving
referrals. Please remember that new car dealers, for example Mazda, may
import the Honda you want. It’s a matter of asking! Good luck!
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 am
Don:
First of all, thank you for your reply. Second, I always thought that the two examples you gave (on the Quebec side) specialized in the selling of used cars — heck, I didn’t even know they sold new vehicles! And third, I was even more surprised when you suggested that a MAZDA dealer could possibly offer me a new Honda, at a ‘discounted’ price. Doesn’t that seem a bit…. counterproductive for a dealership selling a competing brand to offer me a vehicle at a cheaper rate. Or perhaps something escapes me here. LOL. I don’t want to hog this thread so if you wsh to reply privately, that’s fine by me. I can be reached at LVON98@yahoo.com
Again, MANY thanks for your valuable insights.