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Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 08:40:00 -0600
From: "Walt Kienzle" <wkienzlenopsam.net>
Subject: Re: import 9.3 tdi into US?


I don't mean to rain on your parade, but what would be needed is lots of money. Usually this is only done for exotic sports cars (that are already expensive) because of the costs involved. Since Saab doesn't make a version that conforms to US Department of Transportation specifications, parts from the European version would have to be replaced to make it conform to US specifications. After that, changes have to be made to make sure it conforms to US Environmental Protection Agency specifications. One of the reasons why Saab doesn't sell that model here is because the testing to ensure that this drivetrain meets EPA specs is very expensive and not worth the cost for the number of models in that configuration that they would expect to sell. The expense of EPA testing each drivetrain is one of the three reasons given by US automakers as to why they are making so few cars with manual transmissions. Which brings us to the next step: having a company that is properly certified to test and certify that the car meets all safety and emissions requirements. And it isn't always good enough that the car has an airbag (for example), it has to have an airbag that meets the specifications as set by USDOT. Same with the bumpers, window glass, headlights, taillights, and just about any other part in the car. So far, all this might even sound manageable, but here is the catch: The customs officials will impound this car when you bring it in and make you post a bond that is an amount probably about half the value of the car. They will then give you one year to have all the above work, testing and certification completed before you can get the car licensed and drive it on public roads. If you don't/can't get it in compliance by the deadline, they confiscate the car and, presumably, send it to the crusher. There are exceptions to this if you are importing the car for racing, display, or other purposes that don't involve driving it on public roads. Even if you do get the car certified, they will probably keep a good chunk of the bond money as tariff for the imported goods. More information on importing things is available at http://www.customs.gov/. Walt Kienzle 1991 9000T "Jacobsohn" <jfjacobnopsamatlantic.net> wrote in message news:MPG.1828f114e2a605aa989680nopsam.verizon.net... > Has anyone imported a diesel powered Saab into the US? Any idea what > would be required? > > Jeremy

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