Importing LC300 to USA (7 Viewers)

[dnh1]

It was tongue in cheek. Simmer down.

You have repeatedly said something about having to buy and destroy them to get one in, without ever saying you were kidding. That is not necessarily true, at all. You are a moderator here and your statements are relied upon by others. I believe, having been a lawyer for almost 25 years, and having taken the time to actually read the regulations, that you could most certainly import a Land Cruiser 300 with the assistance of a good registered importer.

 

[FJBen]

You have repeatedly said something about having to buy and destroy them to get one in, without ever saying you were kidding. That is not necessarily true, at all. You are a moderator here and your statements are relied upon by others. I believe, having been a lawyer for almost 25 years, and having taken the time to actually read the regulations, that you could most certainly import a Land Cruiser 300 with the assistance of a good registered importer.

View attachment 3706221

 

[nickandrews]

You're better off buying a vacation home in Panama and registering it there.

There is a business idea. We could create a time share for a single property in Panama where we could all buy in and register our trucks there only half joking as I was talking to a guy in Panama about his gorgeous 2019 79 series that he imported from the middle east.....the 25 year law kills me!!

 

[Joe T]

Thats actually a real thing you can drive it a year inside the united states with those plates. You probably also retain warranty that way too. I know Canadian sold Ford trucks do as long as they are still registered in Canada.

There is also a state in the midwest (forgot) that is real liberal about re vinning kit cars. I read an article about how someone built a holden ute out of a G8 or GTO.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Probably cheaper and less of a headache to
1. Buy an LX600
2. Order the front clip sheetmetal, grille, badges, etc for a j300 from overseas.
3. Have a good body shop paint it to match the LX600 and install it.

 

[Kovaci]

@hoser @dnh1

If one 300 were to get through this process, do all subsequent 300 imports have to follow all the same steps: petition, bond, etc? Or is it easier (minus required physical modifications) to get more in once precedent has been set?

 

[hoser]

Once a petition is approved, it applies for every subsequent import but they still have to use a Registered Importer. If the petition is denied, then I believe nobody can re-petition for the same model year(s).

 

[brian az]

Once a petition is approved, it applies for every subsequent import but they still have to use a Registered Importer. If the petition is denied, then I believe nobody can re-petition for the same model year(s).

You have to wait 3 months to try again after a denial. 49 CFR 593.7(e).

 

[W4632018]

The reason we have the G class in the USA is because a 3rd party company started importing them and did extremely well financially. Later on, MBUSA decided to buy out that company and start selling G’s to Americans directly. I hope someone gets the ball rolling on the 300 series!

 

[Jurwin]

The FJ Company sells "brand new" 70-series in the US by putting 2024 LC70 body and everything else on a 25 year old US legal 70-series chassis.
The only way one can possibly get a 300-series LC in the US is by buying a LC300 body and dropping it on an LX600 chassis.

 

[Joe T]

The FJ Company sells "brand new" 70-series in the US by putting 2024 LC70 body and everything else on a 25 year old US legal 70-series chassis.
The only way one can possibly get a 300-series LC in the US is by buying a LC300 body and dropping it on an LX600 chassis. View attachment 3711259

Its the front end body parts ahead of the doors, D pillar, hatch, rear bumper, and dash (and console?). Don’t know if the door panels are different. Would also probably need interior trim at the D pillar and hatch.

 

[Kovaci]

The reason we have the G class in the USA is because a 3rd party company started importing them and did extremely well financially. Later on, MBUSA decided to buy out that company and start selling G’s to Americans directly. I hope someone gets the ball rolling on the 300 series!

Didn't know about this, found some fun info on the story here: Europa G Wagen History. Looks like they got small volume manufacturer status

 

[hoser]

Anybody who is serious about importing an LC300 (or LX500D), I'd contact this R.I. in CA.

G & K Automotive Services | Foreign Automobile Conversion

gnkauto.com

 

[stiffarm]

View attachment 3707206

I am a lawyer who imported dozens of Ferrari BB 512s for legalization in the early 1980's. Let's talk about importing the LC 300. DM me.

 

[stiffarm]

100% you need a really good RI.

The cost of 1) a non US LC 300, coupled with 2) using an RI, and 3) the cost of modification for EPA/DOT may be all out of proportion to the cost of an LX 600 and just installing LC 300 replacement front and rear parts.

 

[stiffarm]

I've been browsing some of these NHTSA petitions that are based on the substantial similarity argument. What I've learned from reading the denied petitions is that, having a good RI is crucial. Honestly, it's probably money well-spent to have a lawyer assist in drafting the petition and advising on the process too. For example, check out this denial where the RI tried to import a Chevy Cheyenne pickup that was produced for the Mexican market. Seems like it'd be slam dunk for the RI as these trucks are pretty much the Mexican version of the Chevy Silverado sold here, but the petition was denied. Looking at the NHTSA denial statement, it seems like a lot, if not all, of their objections could have been avoided if the RI had done a better job.

Another thing I've noticed in the handful of denial decisions I read, is that, in each one, NHTSA reached out to the vehicle manufacturer for their opinion, and in each case, the manufacturer said the vehicles were not substantially similar. Which makes sense, why would they go out on a limb, they have nothing to gain. I'd expect NHTSA to reach out to Toyota if someone tries this, and my gut feeling is that Toyota will not be supportive.

Also, food for thought, check out this application from an RI in Maryland. In 2012, this RI petitioned NHTSA to have IFS 100 Series Land Cruisers from other markets deemed substantially similar. It was approved. The petition listed out the things that would have to be changed.

Another interesting one, is this very old (year 2000) petition denial for 1989-1991 VW Golf sedans. In this one, VW chimed in and said that the European versions are heavier, have a different four wheel drive configuration, and approximately 100mm of additional ground clearance, and therefore would require crash testing.

Anyway, I like doing legal research. That was fun.

On the Chevy truck importation denial note that GM chimed in to say that its dealer software would not recognize the VIN, rendering it and it unlikely or impossible for the owner to get "safety repairs"....while that is probably BS (and meant to protect its US sales and dealers), it is clear that the US government will accept on its face the manufacturer's statement as a reason for denial.

 

[Joe T]

On the Chevy truck importation denial note that GM chimed in to say that its dealer software would not recognize the VIN, rendering it and it unlikely or impossible for the owner to get "safety repairs"....while that is probably BS (and meant to protect its US sales and dealers), it is clear that the US government will accept on its face the manufacturer's statement as a reason for denial.

There is a checkbox for that though and the importer would need to take on that liability.

 

[hoser]

The cost of 1) a non US LC 300, coupled with 2) using an RI, and 3) the cost of modification for EPA/DOT may be all out of proportion to the cost of an LX 600 and just installing LC 300 replacement front and rear parts.

It's not just the front clip and the rear bolt on parts. The rear quarter panel and maybe the roof would have to be swapped in... which is a significant amount of body work and paint. Once you see the difference, you can't unsee it.

 

[FJBen]

The FJ Company sells "brand new" 70-series in the US by putting 2024 LC70 body and everything else on a 25 year old US legal 70-series chassis.
The only way one can possibly get a 300-series LC in the US is by buying a LC300 body and dropping it on an LX600 chassis. View attachment 3711259

Where are they selling the new 70s on the old frame? I tried to look that up but couldn’t find mentions of that. I know people even on here do it.

I see they buy new 70 series for the drivetrain and all that in the 40s, but I haven’t seen the other way around.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Where are they selling the new 70s on the old frame? I tried to look that up but couldn’t find mentions of that. I know people even on here do it.

I see they buy new 70 series for the drivetrain and all that in the 40s, but I haven’t seen the other way around.

Its not posted on their web site.
I think it's one of those 'if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it' sort of things (this video says $150k).

Maltec in Germany is taking 25 YO legal HDJ-80's and swapping on new J70 bodies on and they are refreshing or replacing anything needed with new OE parts.