Government considers cheaper car imports

The government will move to allow personal imports of overseas vehicles, raising fears from industry the move will cause a knock-on effect to dealerships.

Assistant Regional Development Minister Jamie Briggs said yesterday that the government wanted new regulations to allow greater access to the international vehicle market by 2018 when car manufacturing winds up in Australia.

News Corp Australia understands the government is considering allowing the personal importation of light vehicles less than a year old with a maximum mileage of 4000km

The proposal was considered in cabinet yesterday. News Corp Australia understands the government is considering allowing the personal importation of light vehicles less than a year old with a maximum mileage of 4000km, which could be imported from authorised dealerships in trusted right-hand-drive markets. 

Tony Weber, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, said the government was ignoring its concerns by pressing ahead with the policy change.