Bahamas News
05-02-05, - 09:56 PM
Opposition To Proposed Ban On Importation Of Wrecked Cars
Stephen Gay
The Bahama Journal
A proposal by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to ban the importation of wrecked vehicles is likely to come up against strong opposition in the auto repair industry.
Minister Leslie Miller has said repeatedly that the government intends to soon put the ban in place to protect unsuspecting consumers from unscrupulous dealers.
But not surprisingly, some auto body repairmen say such a move would deal a huge economic blow to them and their families.
Marvin Morley, who owns an auto body shop in Englerston, said parts from wrecked vehicles save consumers a lot of money.
"A car with all the crumple zones mashed in and roof touching the floor, there is really nothing you can do with that," Mr. Morley said. "But you could break down the engine and sell it for parts and still make money."
According to Mr. Morley, most of the cars that come from the United States have very little structural damage or damage that could be life threatening to motorists.
"At my shop, safety is the first order of business when we decide to rebuild a car," Mr. Morley said. "If we see that a crumple zone has been damaged we scrap the car for parts, or if the chassis is damaged we use the strongest welding rods to ensure strength and support…Like I said, this is my shop; I can’t speak for others."
Another repairman, Dell Roy, said he believes the idea of banning wrecked cars is a way to keep the small man down.
"The big man [car dealers] may want to keep the small man down by pushing for it," Mr. Roy said. "When you stop the cars from coming that will put a lot of skilled guys out of work with nothing to do, and no way to feed their children."
He added, "I think that government should think twice about doing something like that before there ends up being a load of people sitting idle all over the island. God help us because then crime may just shoot up again."
According to Mr. Morley, auto body repairmen would not be the only persons who would feel revenue losses if a ban were placed on the importation of wrecked vehicles.
He believes that there would be a trickle down effect that will touch various areas of economy.
"The government itself would lose money because they collect revenue from customs duties," Mr. Morley said. "Shipping and tow truck people who bring cars from the dock would lose money. People who shop the auctions for other people and airlines would lose money if a ban is put on wrecked cars."
But Warren ‘Doc’ Thompson, who owns a popular auto body shop, said that he believes that wrecked cars should not be allowed in The Bahamas.
Mr. Thompson said that while he is in the business of repairing cars, he does not fix up imported wrecked vehicles.
Echoing a sentiment often expressed by Minister Miller, Mr. Thompson said, "If they are not allowed to be brought back on American streets they should not be allowed here."
Some auto repairmen said they would support a system that would let prospective buyers know the complete history of imported used vehicles.
"If the government sets up a database where all [Vehicle Identification Numbers] are recorded then they would know which cars are brought in the country for salvage or rebuilt," Mr. Morley said.
"And if the vehicle inspection standards are reviewed then when cars are going to be licensed and inspected, cars that have salvaged VIN’s would not be allowed on the streets."
Stephen Gay
The Bahama Journal
A proposal by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to ban the importation of wrecked vehicles is likely to come up against strong opposition in the auto repair industry.
Minister Leslie Miller has said repeatedly that the government intends to soon put the ban in place to protect unsuspecting consumers from unscrupulous dealers.
But not surprisingly, some auto body repairmen say such a move would deal a huge economic blow to them and their families.
Marvin Morley, who owns an auto body shop in Englerston, said parts from wrecked vehicles save consumers a lot of money.
"A car with all the crumple zones mashed in and roof touching the floor, there is really nothing you can do with that," Mr. Morley said. "But you could break down the engine and sell it for parts and still make money."
According to Mr. Morley, most of the cars that come from the United States have very little structural damage or damage that could be life threatening to motorists.
"At my shop, safety is the first order of business when we decide to rebuild a car," Mr. Morley said. "If we see that a crumple zone has been damaged we scrap the car for parts, or if the chassis is damaged we use the strongest welding rods to ensure strength and support…Like I said, this is my shop; I can’t speak for others."
Another repairman, Dell Roy, said he believes the idea of banning wrecked cars is a way to keep the small man down.
"The big man [car dealers] may want to keep the small man down by pushing for it," Mr. Roy said. "When you stop the cars from coming that will put a lot of skilled guys out of work with nothing to do, and no way to feed their children."
He added, "I think that government should think twice about doing something like that before there ends up being a load of people sitting idle all over the island. God help us because then crime may just shoot up again."
According to Mr. Morley, auto body repairmen would not be the only persons who would feel revenue losses if a ban were placed on the importation of wrecked vehicles.
He believes that there would be a trickle down effect that will touch various areas of economy.
"The government itself would lose money because they collect revenue from customs duties," Mr. Morley said. "Shipping and tow truck people who bring cars from the dock would lose money. People who shop the auctions for other people and airlines would lose money if a ban is put on wrecked cars."
But Warren ‘Doc’ Thompson, who owns a popular auto body shop, said that he believes that wrecked cars should not be allowed in The Bahamas.
Mr. Thompson said that while he is in the business of repairing cars, he does not fix up imported wrecked vehicles.
Echoing a sentiment often expressed by Minister Miller, Mr. Thompson said, "If they are not allowed to be brought back on American streets they should not be allowed here."
Some auto repairmen said they would support a system that would let prospective buyers know the complete history of imported used vehicles.
"If the government sets up a database where all [Vehicle Identification Numbers] are recorded then they would know which cars are brought in the country for salvage or rebuilt," Mr. Morley said.
"And if the vehicle inspection standards are reviewed then when cars are going to be licensed and inspected, cars that have salvaged VIN’s would not be allowed on the streets."