Victorian wheelers

[rjvines]

Originally Posted by YankeeDave

This is made worse by importers who don't actually tell their customers they are selling them a product thats not fit for Aussie roads and could not only defect thier vehicle but also void their insurance.

If this does start to happen the retailers/importers will find themselves in some pretty deep brown stuff. Not fit for purpose, not of merchantable quality etc would lead them to having to provide refunds on every single one they have sold,

[Richo]

Originally Posted by rjvines

If this does start to happen the retailers/importers will find themselves in some pretty deep brown stuff. Not fit for purpose, not of merchantable quality etc would lead them to having to provide refunds on every single one they have sold,

Sorry, but you're dreaming if that would ever happen.
It's no different to outlets selling rubber bigger than 33", shocks/springs greater then 2" lift, suspension arms, diff housings, snorkels, dual battery kits, roll cages, the list goes on and on, all which may in fact require engineering to be deemed legal.

Yes, I'm all for supporting local manufacturers, but our choice of mods would be cut by 99% if your thoughts came to fruition.

[Josha]

Originally Posted by YankeeDave

I appriciate the feedback thanks. I'd like to think at Uneek we are trying to come up with new and different things. But it's hard when we are competing with so many American companies. We do however now offer 4 different front bars for the JK wrangler.



back on topic though ... at the end of the day it's hard for aussie manufacturers to compete with OS companies(who have lower manufacturing costs and often copy other companies *cough Ironman*) who don't care about our local laws or compliance as we are a tiny spec in their consumer base. This is made worse by importers who don't actually tell their customers they are selling them a product thats not fit for Aussie roads and could not only defect thier vehicle but also void their insurance.

I'm all for cops picking up on this and would find it great for companies like ARB, ECB and Uneek 4x4 who not only spend lots of money developing products locally (read local jobs) but spend money testing it locally for local laws.

I not against local manufacturers or the local bylaws but what does a bloke do when he owns a vehicle sold here in Aus but has very little in aftermarket accessories because it's not a Wrangler or is "too old". I own a ZG Grand Cherokee and most 4x4 outlets don't supply anything for them. I love the look and concept of the Flatlands bull bar. I'm a tradie that can weld competently. If I get these CAD plans, get the steel laser cut professionally, build it, paint or powdercoat it and fit it to my Jeep technically I'm a criminal? With the Police and Insurance companies, yes, I would be liable straight away.

I would like a winch bar but I hate the look of the dated ARB design. The big polished aluminium one from ECB is not to my liking either. So that leaves me with option C.......nothing. Uneek4x4 don't even list a ZG on their website, like alot of other Aussie Jeep suppliers.
I understand that the market is very limited for the ZG compared to a Patrol or Hilux but there is still a market for this sort of thing. The US has alot of gear available that can be imported to suit this car but is not compliant here in Victoria. Bullbars, lift kits etc. Can someone test this stuff, start importing it and sell it locally without 200% markup? It's done with tyres and wheels. Why not everything else?
I understand that the American market is unbelievably massive compared to little old Australia. Cars are sold on a global scale. Why aren't aftermarket parts? Is the US stuff that inferior? I'm not trying to knock Aussie job's or suppliers, quite the opposite. There are plenty of blokes on this forum alone with ZG's, as well as other models that would love some stylish and practical options for their rides.

So again, what is a bloke supposed to do?

Vent over.

[layback40]

Originally Posted by kj69

sounds like the cops are being used to protect the local market from imports to me

Its an interesting suggestion. not likely to happen though.
Think back a short while to when there was a lot being said about certain camper trailers that were being put together in QLD from Chinese parts. when people started to have issues with them being rubbish, they rolled in the legal people & guys like Jimmyb had the blow torch put to his belly. it is not likely that these imported bars etc are going to be outlawed. There are far too many influential people involved with the import biz & the gov is all for free trade.

[Tonka Jeep]

No one wheels in Vic anymore, so it shouldn't be a concern!

[LeighP]

Plus, as in most of this sort of thing, its hard to force compliance on existing bars....even if brought in, it'd most likely apply to items brought after a certain date.

I've been looking at a lot of bars while I've been researching buying a JK....I must say the Uneek bars appeal to me most....and being Aussie made is a nice by product.

[dafaq]

why would O/S companies spend big bucks on complying bars for aus, which is a tiny market for them?

as richo said, annythgin you do could be classed as illegal, you run a risk having a non adr compliant bulbar on ur truck......

im sure dbor etc would have in their fineprint "for off road use only"