Help!! A level student needs help from Aussie car drivers!
Discussion
Hi my name is Robert Kemp and I am a 17 year old student studying business studies. I have decided to do a feasilibility study to see if importing Aussie cars such as Holdens and HSV's into the UK and selling them. Unfortunately I know very little about importing costs.. ie. HM customs charges, costs to ship the car here, how I can make the car legal in the UK: speedo to MPH for example! I would be very much grateful if anyone who has imported their car to the UK to help me with this project! Thankyou very much!!!
G'Day Rob K
The Linden Building
Regent Park,
Booth Drive,
Wellingborough,
Northamptonshire
NN8 6GR
01933 670980
info@lindenspecialvehicles.com
details on the home page of the Site. <a href="http://www.lindenspecialvehicles.com/">www.lindenspecialvehicles.com/</a>
Drive On !
Must be round the corner mate ! Northampton.
>> Edited by EH*ROB on Wednesday 8th September 20:24
>> Edited by EH*ROB on Wednesday 8th September 20:26
Hi Rob
Try the following; Australian Performance Imports (API)
based in Wanstead, London E.11 tel:0208 539 4250
e-mail info@api-uk.co.uk or www.api-uk.co.uk
They claim to import the Holden range and Fords, including Falcon FPVs and XR8s.However,these cars are probably new ones.There are numerous shipping companies that will bring cars from Aus to here. I believe it costs about £1K plus taxes and duty etc.
The DVLA should be able to tell you about UK regs for imports.
For used cars try Guy Hardy at the UK Holden owners club,holdenuk@ndirect.co.uk or Sandy Mercer at admin@aus-ford-uk.co.uk for used Aussie Fords.
For the kind of cars available 'down under', try carpoint.com.au and carsales.com.au They've got some outrageous stuff down there. Puts our used car market to shame.
If funds permit,subscribe to Unique Cars.It's around over $100-110AUD p.a. depending on the exchange rate.
Good luck,it will be interesting to read results of your studies in due course.
Keep the Forum posted.
Try the following; Australian Performance Imports (API)
based in Wanstead, London E.11 tel:0208 539 4250
e-mail info@api-uk.co.uk or www.api-uk.co.uk
They claim to import the Holden range and Fords, including Falcon FPVs and XR8s.However,these cars are probably new ones.There are numerous shipping companies that will bring cars from Aus to here. I believe it costs about £1K plus taxes and duty etc.
The DVLA should be able to tell you about UK regs for imports.
For used cars try Guy Hardy at the UK Holden owners club,holdenuk@ndirect.co.uk or Sandy Mercer at admin@aus-ford-uk.co.uk for used Aussie Fords.
For the kind of cars available 'down under', try carpoint.com.au and carsales.com.au They've got some outrageous stuff down there. Puts our used car market to shame.
If funds permit,subscribe to Unique Cars.It's around over $100-110AUD p.a. depending on the exchange rate.
Good luck,it will be interesting to read results of your studies in due course.
Keep the Forum posted.
Hiya, Thanks very much for all of your info... just as an update so far.. iv sent mark an email and have just looked at the Carpoint website... i think there are enough Holdens (about 5000 or sumthing) that should keep the potential customers happy.. Thank you very much. The only major issues left are the cost for the registration of the imported cars, the place and price i can get them converted to UK spec and the location i need to choose for my business.. Once I've put those pieces together the jigsaw will take no time to complete!!! Thanks very much again for the info.. This forum has been an amazing resource! You are all really helpful! By the way, i was looking to see if i could get the aussie "motor" mag over here, but i think i need to import it directly from the suppliers as my local newsagents don't do it!
Thanks again!
Robert.
Thanks again!
Robert.
Drop me an email of what mags you want and i will see what I can do. Sadly I cannot do this for everybody as they are a bit heavy to send!
The dredded A levels hey!???
I have A levels Maths! and a few O levels! showing my age there! I just wish I had studied crayons and advanced colour pencils! I use them in my work now, and not so much the O level Latin!!!!!
motomk@ls1.com.au
The dredded A levels hey!???
I have A levels Maths! and a few O levels! showing my age there! I just wish I had studied crayons and advanced colour pencils! I use them in my work now, and not so much the O level Latin!!!!!
motomk@ls1.com.au
Hi Rob
Re 'Motor' you can get it from www.isubscribe.com.au
at $147AUD for twelve issues.
Good mag.
Mick
Re 'Motor' you can get it from www.isubscribe.com.au
at $147AUD for twelve issues.
Good mag.
Mick
hiya everyone, hope you are all ok! Very sorry about not replying sooner, it has been very hectic... So far what iv decided is to sell the new Commodore VZ SV6 an SV8, new VZ Monaro, HSV clubsport, clubsport R8, GTO and Senator. Also, I am going to sell cars by a Ford and FPV, purely for market share reasons, my theory is the more models I can sell the more the more exposure the company has to the motorists. I will sell the Falcon XR6 Turbo and XR8, FPV GT and GT-P. ( I've heard.. despite being FORDS.. they are beasts)
Thankyou very much for the info, unfortunately API, I believe has decided NOT to sell cars over here as it has been made almost impossible thanks to the Government! It explains why Vaux and VXR can only bring in 500 to the UK every year. If anyone would like any more info then I would be happy to let you know of the specifics.
For my project however, I am going to "miss this vital bit of information" as this is, as you can imagine not a very common feasibility study and therefore (though they do not officially say it) original, refreshing ideas always look better than the normal cafes etc that are normally chosen. It is up to me whether I include the laws in my conclusion, something I am currently in 2 minds about!!
I have been looking at the new Z and VZ range and they look amazing, it is a real shame that API could not make the business work! Personally, if I had the money I know that I would definitely have a GTS or Clubbie rather than the M5 etc.
The next stage of my coursework (if anyone is still awake)is to send out questionnaires about the business. I would really appreciate it if people wouldn't mind if I sent them a copy via email, I promise it will not take long and might even be fun : )
I hope everyone is well and had their coffee before reading this 16 page essay : S Hope to speak to you soon.
Robert Kemp.
Thankyou very much for the info, unfortunately API, I believe has decided NOT to sell cars over here as it has been made almost impossible thanks to the Government! It explains why Vaux and VXR can only bring in 500 to the UK every year. If anyone would like any more info then I would be happy to let you know of the specifics.
For my project however, I am going to "miss this vital bit of information" as this is, as you can imagine not a very common feasibility study and therefore (though they do not officially say it) original, refreshing ideas always look better than the normal cafes etc that are normally chosen. It is up to me whether I include the laws in my conclusion, something I am currently in 2 minds about!!
I have been looking at the new Z and VZ range and they look amazing, it is a real shame that API could not make the business work! Personally, if I had the money I know that I would definitely have a GTS or Clubbie rather than the M5 etc.
The next stage of my coursework (if anyone is still awake)is to send out questionnaires about the business. I would really appreciate it if people wouldn't mind if I sent them a copy via email, I promise it will not take long and might even be fun : )
I hope everyone is well and had their coffee before reading this 16 page essay : S Hope to speak to you soon.
Robert Kemp.
Hi everybody. Another update. The banks have said I can have a bank loan for about £150K, this allows me to buy 2 demonstrators. Potentially a Falcon XR8 and Commodore SV6. These will be used for customers to drive around Silverstone circuit, which luckily is close to my location and tempt customers into purchasing the cars. The rest of the money will be put towards other aspects of the business, including having a high cash flow at all times so during periods when I am not selling cars I can survive. I expected to have to get a much higher loan, but fortunately I was able to find this 1. I will need approximately 30 customers to break even in the first year. Although this may seem little, in reality I have found many people not to be interested in purchasing these kind of cars because of the high extra costs involved: tax, fuel, insurance etc.
I am going to list the questions from my questionnaire below, if anybody has any spare time and doesn't mind filling this out for me I would be most appreciative.
Also, I saw my first VAUXHALL Monaro on a road in Northampton, it was in beautiful redhot ( that VXR colour) Personally I think the colour choices for the Vaux is somewhat small compared with Oz. I liked the cozmo (purple) and barbados (striking green/ blue) colours!
1) What is your nationality?
English Australian Other (please specify) .
2)Have you ever heard of, or know about any Australian cars? For example Holden or Holden Special Vehicles?
Yes No
3)Please tick the age range you fit into.
Under 20 20-25 25-30 30-40 40-45
45-50 50-55 55-60 60-65 Over 65
4)Please tick which of the boxes refers to your salary.
Under £20,000 £20,000-£25,000 £25,000-£30,000
£30,000-£35,000 £35,000-£40,000 £40,000-£45,000
£45,000-£50,000 £50,000-£55,000 £55,000-£60,000
£60,000-£65,000 £65,000-£70,000 Over £70,000
Section 2. You and your history with cars
5) For how many years have you held a full UK driving license? Years
6)How many cars approximately have you owned since passing
your driving test? .
6a) What car/ cars do you currently own? .
.
7)Have you ever brought a brand new car?
Yes No
Section 3. Buying a new car
7)Is your current car a private or company purchase?
Company Private
8)Will your next car be a private or company purchase?
Company Private
9)What is/ or would be the largest amount you have/ will pay for a brand new car?
Under £20,000 £20,000-£25000 £25,000-£30,000
£30,000- £35,000 £35,000-£40,000 £40,000-£45,000
£45,000-£50,000 £50,000-£55,000 £55,000-£60,000
£60,000- £65,000 £65,000-£70,000 Over £70,000
10) Before buying a car, where do you research information about the cars you are interested in potentially buying? Please tick as many as appropriate.
Motoring magazines Internet
Dealerships
11)What characteristics do you look for when buying a car?
Costs- Running e.g. petrol, MPG, cost of new tyres etc
Performance of the car
The “toys” it has inside it, e.g. satellite navigation
Image of the brand
Safety equipment e.g. airbags
Space/ practicality/ versatility
The price of the car
12)Where would you buy a new car from?
Dealership
Internet
Car supermarket
Other (please specify) .
13Do you know of any people who have imported cars through an agent, or personally into the UK from a different country, for example the US?
Yes No
14)Would you be interested in purchasing a car that is not sold in the UK?
Yes No
If no to question 14, please state why.
.
15)If your queries/ worries are solved by the importing agent, would you be interested in purchasing a car from a different country via an agent?
I am going to list the questions from my questionnaire below, if anybody has any spare time and doesn't mind filling this out for me I would be most appreciative.
Also, I saw my first VAUXHALL Monaro on a road in Northampton, it was in beautiful redhot ( that VXR colour) Personally I think the colour choices for the Vaux is somewhat small compared with Oz. I liked the cozmo (purple) and barbados (striking green/ blue) colours!
1) What is your nationality?
English Australian Other (please specify) .
2)Have you ever heard of, or know about any Australian cars? For example Holden or Holden Special Vehicles?
Yes No
3)Please tick the age range you fit into.
Under 20 20-25 25-30 30-40 40-45
45-50 50-55 55-60 60-65 Over 65
4)Please tick which of the boxes refers to your salary.
Under £20,000 £20,000-£25,000 £25,000-£30,000
£30,000-£35,000 £35,000-£40,000 £40,000-£45,000
£45,000-£50,000 £50,000-£55,000 £55,000-£60,000
£60,000-£65,000 £65,000-£70,000 Over £70,000
Section 2. You and your history with cars
5) For how many years have you held a full UK driving license? Years
6)How many cars approximately have you owned since passing
your driving test? .
6a) What car/ cars do you currently own? .
.
7)Have you ever brought a brand new car?
Yes No
Section 3. Buying a new car
7)Is your current car a private or company purchase?
Company Private
8)Will your next car be a private or company purchase?
Company Private
9)What is/ or would be the largest amount you have/ will pay for a brand new car?
Under £20,000 £20,000-£25000 £25,000-£30,000
£30,000- £35,000 £35,000-£40,000 £40,000-£45,000
£45,000-£50,000 £50,000-£55,000 £55,000-£60,000
£60,000- £65,000 £65,000-£70,000 Over £70,000
10) Before buying a car, where do you research information about the cars you are interested in potentially buying? Please tick as many as appropriate.
Motoring magazines Internet
Dealerships
11)What characteristics do you look for when buying a car?
Costs- Running e.g. petrol, MPG, cost of new tyres etc
Performance of the car
The “toys” it has inside it, e.g. satellite navigation
Image of the brand
Safety equipment e.g. airbags
Space/ practicality/ versatility
The price of the car
12)Where would you buy a new car from?
Dealership
Internet
Car supermarket
Other (please specify) .
13Do you know of any people who have imported cars through an agent, or personally into the UK from a different country, for example the US?
Yes No
14)Would you be interested in purchasing a car that is not sold in the UK?
Yes No
If no to question 14, please state why.
.
15)If your queries/ worries are solved by the importing agent, would you be interested in purchasing a car from a different country via an agent?
OK, You've lost me here!!
You are doing a project on your business studies course and the bank is lending you 150,000 pounds???????
Gee whiz...I am off to do a business course!!!!!!!!!
If you really are importing a car...why not try the cheapest LS2 car...the base Maloo with a 6.0 litre engine???
On the Ford front..I would grab one of the BA II XR6 Turbo sedans or even a new F6 Sedan and go and visit your friendly new APS distributor over there and turn it into a HSV/Holden munching weapon!!!
motomk
You are doing a project on your business studies course and the bank is lending you 150,000 pounds???????
Gee whiz...I am off to do a business course!!!!!!!!!
If you really are importing a car...why not try the cheapest LS2 car...the base Maloo with a 6.0 litre engine???
On the Ford front..I would grab one of the BA II XR6 Turbo sedans or even a new F6 Sedan and go and visit your friendly new APS distributor over there and turn it into a HSV/Holden munching weapon!!!
motomk
Well the courseworks completed!!! Thank you very much 2 every1 who has contributed and others behind the scenes who have done questionnaires aswell. The results were good, i was suprised considering rising insurance and fuel costs, but people are becoming more interested in buying bigger cars, just because they have the money and dont see the point in saving in a bank to only get a few crums back.. they'd rather enjoy it! So potentially, if I got the marketing right it would succeed..... in theory.. Unfortunately though, with API not in existence anymore and we haven't heard from the other importing company that has been on here it looks as though it would be unlikely to import these cars through the SVA etc which is a great shame!! 
I have been hovering the forum since joining to help boost my knowledge of the cars and their following in the UK. I hope to repay some of the help and effort people put in to my project.
Hopefully I'll be able to make the next meeting you guys have ( all i need 2 do is try 2 persuade the Northampton Monaro dealer again that an 18 year old can drive a brand new tester V8 ..... he didnt buy it last time
... )
thanks very much,
Robert Kemp.
>> Edited by Rob K on Wednesday 2nd March 17:53
I have been hovering the forum since joining to help boost my knowledge of the cars and their following in the UK. I hope to repay some of the help and effort people put in to my project.
Hopefully I'll be able to make the next meeting you guys have ( all i need 2 do is try 2 persuade the Northampton Monaro dealer again that an 18 year old can drive a brand new tester V8 ..... he didnt buy it last time
... ) thanks very much,
Robert Kemp.
>> Edited by Rob K on Wednesday 2nd March 17:53
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