Cabbagetown

Does the recent trade agreement ( CETA ) between Canada and the EU have an impact on importing vehicles from the EU to Canada?

Would all these complicated rules, like cars have to be older than 15 years, etc... still apply?

Former Lancastrian

As the deal has not been officially signed yet and the details in that sector are not well known or published its hard to say. When NAFTA was introduced it was a gradual phasing out over a number of years. Im guessing that vehicles less than 15 years old will still have to meet CMVSS standards much like US vehicles have to.

Cabbagetown

There has been so much media coverage, however I have never understood, as of when ( exact date ) this free trade agreement would actually be in place, and what it would actually mean for Canadian businesses as well as citizens.

Former Lancastrian

You could glance over this and other numerous articles outlining CETA.
Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

Allegedly we will get cheaper and more offerings of European Cheese
Im not all that interested in buying a used Citroen or Lada

MillieF

I am surprised that there are no French cars here? Are there any in other parts of Canada, or is it just here? No Renaults, no Peugeot and no Citroens?
That's a bit odd isn't it? They don't mind the Italians....lots of Fiats.

Gozit

Something about the French car manufacturers going out of the US some time ago. We don't have any French cars anywhere in Canada... Or the US. I guess even the Quebecers didn't like them

Cabbagetown

Peugeot had a manufacturing plant in Quebec in the 60ies and possibly into the 70ies.

Most French manufacturers pulled out of Canada in 1992. The requirements for "Canadian specifications" were too complicated and the market too small.

The Fiat 500 is sold by Chrysler, after the acquisition of Fiat and the model is manufactured with Canadian specs.

It'll really be interesting if the Canada/EU trade deal brings European automobiles into Canada, even if they are not manufactured towards "Canadian Specs".

Simon Legree

I think it's the other way round ! Fiat acquired Chrysler. The deal was completed last January I believe. That's the main reason for the Fiat invasion.
They used to build Renaults in Brampton way back when. My wife was foolish enough to buy a "Le Car" and, after that caught fire, an Alliance. Both very unsatisfactory in the winter.

withabix

The 15 year 'rule' on importing vehicles is only a 'rule' because it is the age over which the vehicle does not have to comply with various Canadian (well, actually more American) vehicle Regulations.

There is already very little to stop you from importing a brand new vehicle or one less than 15 years old, as long as it complies with those Regulations and you can prove that it does.

Novocastrian

There is one in NB.

Novocastrian

But on the general point of CETA, it hasn't even been made public, yet alone ratified yet: that is expected to take two years at least if there are no problems, which there are.

No doubt Harper will continue to re-announce his success in closing the deal (accompanied by trumpets) at least until the next election, but will likely forget about the whole thing after that.

dbd33

Since you'd have to put the vehicle through a NHTSA crash test this isn't feasible for a single vehicle. Practically speaking, only cars made for sale in America can be imported before the 15 year date; vehicles already proven to comply with the regulations.

withabix

I didn't say it was easy or practical...

There must be one or two loopholes though - I know of one 2011 LHD Land Rover Defender from Europe which was legally imported by someone who is now a PR in Ontario.

We haven't figured this one out yet and it must have been a technical loophole, otherwise I wouldn't be driving a 1997 one...

Novocastrian

Since 2008 the Jaguar-Land Rover company has been a subsidiary of the Indian Tata Motors, part of the Tata conglomerate. Their target markets have been North America and China.

I imagine that they've had enough sense to ensure that their products conform to North American standards.

JamesM

Will you be taking your Dodge Viper SRT over to Normandy under this scheme?