Mass exodus of cars from Canada
RICHMOND HILL, ON, Feb. 13- Canadian vehicle remarketing has reached a new milestone. A record number of motor vehicles were exported from Canada to the United States last year by leasing and rental companies and independent dealers. 200,074 Canadian exports went through the Registered Importer program in 2001, surpassing 200,000 units for the first time.Canadian exports are way up from the mid-1990s, when 15,000 units was considered a good year for the industry. Brian Osler, President of the North American Automobile Trade Association (NAATA), attributes several factors to the skyrocketing volume. "Many barriers to export have been eliminated. U.S. Customs has finally accepted that non-manufacturers can import Canadian vehicles without duties. Canadian market vehicles now have a permanent blanket safety and emissions approval in the United States. There is also a greater familiarity with Canadian vehicles in important American markets. Combined with the low Canadian dollar, the market is flourishing."
NAATA expects that economic and industry conditions will continue to encourage American dealers to source cars in Canada. Impending regulatory changes will also make it less expensive for Canadian remarketers to go through the importation process across the border.
Year Exports For Resale -------------------------- 2001 200,074 2000 181,432 1999 151,842 1998 76,092 1997 23,745 1996 16,766 1995 14,052 1994 15,840