While researching a Chinese-built highway in Zambia, I came across an ad for Cars for the World. Japanese regulations are such that it becomes cost prohibitive to own an older car. As a result, thousands and thousands of well-cared-for, slightly used, low mileage cars are shipped to Africa, Afghanistan, the Russian Far East, Oceania, and the Caribbean. As an example, a 1999 Subaru Legacy wagon with 74,000 km can be had for $3,000.
Here is the home page. The middle of the page contains testimonials with pictures-- a real insight into the entrepreneurs (who buy minibuses and trucks) and upwardly mobile and growing middle class (who buy family cars) of the 3rd World.
The bottom of the page contains blurbs about importing cars to specific countries and regions. The right side of the page lets you browse by category or make.
Talking about coincidences... Importing used Japanese cars is allowed in the northermost and southermost regions of Chile.
ReplyDeleteIt used to be a big business in the north since they were changed into LHD in Chile and sold in Bolivia, until that country closed itself to second-hand imports.
Today it was reported that some were found to be radioactive, albeit in acompletely harmless amount. I was going to blog about it but finally decided not to.
The news.
http://www.bolido.com/2011/05/21-autos-llegan-al-puerto-de-iquique-con-radiacion-inofensiva-desde-japon/
@Viva: I was in Iquique and saw a garbage truck with Japanese words on it. Now it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteHave in mind sometimes Japanese Aid could be an explanation too. At least in Santiago I've seen a few Vans with stickers of Japanese aid agencies and particularly some minivans for disabled people with Japanese lettering.
ReplyDelete@Viva: That's why I was confused. I first thought it was a donated truck, but Iquique is fairly prosperous, no?
ReplyDeleteI think so, and it was most likely a second hand import.
ReplyDeleteA reasonable amount end up in Australia and NZ too - in our case it's more the cars we can't get here - Skylines, Delicas, Soarers, etc
ReplyDelete@Lukas: Long time no see! How are your Mercs?
ReplyDeleteMercs: Dismantling on the 450 is just about done - then it's oil and hydro leaks aplenty to attend to. Unfortunately, winter is here: good driving weather, bad for spannering.
ReplyDelete