Meeting with MPI: the details
Well, the meeting with a fellow at MPI went reasonably well. I was worried that they'd have me talking to some know-nothing, powerless, overall not useful person, so I was delighted to find that that was not the case. The man I was talking to (who shall remain nameless) was no VP, but is a Manager in Vehicle Standards and Technologies. Great!
I honestly didn't know what to expect from the meeting, but the fellow had read my letter to MPI, and had even marked it up for things to discuss. Awesome.
At first the fellow was somewhat defensive, expecting me to attack full-on. Honestly, I don't blame him. I'll bet he has more than a few angry people go through his office. Once he realized that I was not angry, but actually bringing up valid points and willing to discuss them, the whole tone of the meeting changed. It was really good.
The main issue that the fellow had with the letter was that 'grey imports' was too vague. Any rules from that would also apply to Tata Motors from India, and everything. I was thinking about Eurocars (BMWs, Alpinas, Mercedes, AMGs...) and not 3rd world cars. The reason I had originally done that was to avoid saying 'right hand drive', since there is a certain negative stigma attached to that term. He agreed with many of the points, but didn't want to stretch it out to all grey imports, but Japanese RHDs might be possible.
So:
JIS non-headlight lighting in Manitoba. He made it clear that they are looking into this, and they will probably be accepted in the next vehicle inspections handbook. When that comes out? I don't know.
General confusion about RHDs. Manitobans frequently get turned away from safety inspection stations. The fellow was genuinely confused about this. I mentioned that ICBC has a right hand drive page on their site... which is largely useless, but has some FAQs that can be helpful. I said that a page might clear the air about RHDs, since there is so much misinformation about them. The fellow was still surprised about the confusion, and agreed that it would help.
JIS seat belts. This is a sore point for all Manitoban right hand drive drivers. Seat belts must be marked DOT, SAE, or MVSS (read: North American standards), and most are not. Even the Fairlady (the JDM version of the 300ZX) doesn't have the right markings on the seat belts, despite the fact it's pretty much the same car! Will MPI ever accept them? Probably not. The only argument I had was 'well... BC does!', which is the equivalent of saying 'my friend's parents let them!'
If we can get together and make a strong argument that the seat belts are equally as safe, they would probably accept them... getting there would be very difficult though.
Overall... it was a good meeting. I think I won the guy over. It's a good first step in to making right hand drives more legitimate in Manitoba.
rob
MPI situation news update
So, I'm currently in the process of making a meeting with some staffers at MPI to discuss compliance items. I'm honestly quite nervous about it.
That, and I'm picking up my new fancy car from Vancouver this weekend. Photos to follow!
rob
Manitoba RHD – MPI’s memo *updated*
So, I've heard from a few sources now that MPI has sent a memo to a all Safety Inspection Stations. I'm still trying to get a copy of this memo. If you have one, please forward it to me. I now have a copy of this memo, it is attached.
The gist of the memo is... look for DOT head lights, DOT tail lights, DOT and seatbelts. Some have said that the memo says to not safety the vehicle at all. At any rate, people are getting turned away from Safety Inspection Stations because of this memo. It has been an ongoing problem that RHDs are getting turned away, but this has made even more stations close their doors to us.
Manitoba is currently in provincial election mode. MPIs are going to be too busy to care about the little guys. I had a response from Hon. Andrew Swan earlier, but MPI has still refused to contact me.
Because of all this, I have sent another email to Hon. Andrew Swan, and Hon. Steve Ashton to see if they could help.
Hon. Andrew Swan and Hon. Steve Ashton,
I realize that you are probably very busy with your campaign, but no
one from MPI has contacted me. This is itself is fine, but MPI has
just released a memo to safety inspection stations that has caused
most stations to stop safetying right-hand drive vehicles.This is exactly what I was trying to avoid. This approach to the
safety in these vehicles is not the answer.I would like to set up a meeting, or at least open communications
between myself, MPI and all relevant parties. Can you help me with
this?Again, I realize you are probably very busy at this time. If you don't
have time to attend meetings about this, can you help me contact the
correct people at MPI.Cheers,
Robert Guderian
So, hopefully I'll get some kind of response.
rob
My answer to “Why would you want to drive a right-hand drive”
My aunt actually asked me this question the other day. It was particularly interesting since she's over the age of 60 and one of the most judgemental people I know. I feel very good about the answer I gave.
I turned the gun on her.
"Have you ever gone to the States to buy something there because it's cheaper, or not sold here?"
I feel that this pretty much sums up why I drive what I do. My truck has never been sold here, it's very good on gas and extremely useful. And, it's actually pretty cheap to buy when you start looking at the 4x4 market. In fact, all JDM cars are reasonably priced when you look at what you're getting.
Other answers I thought up after the fact are:
- "I like the style." Though I'm not a huge fan of admitting to buying something because it's stylish... it's true. I like being seen in my truck, and I like the conversations it starts. I'd love to say I bought the truck because it's useful, and it happened to be be RHD... but that's a lie. The two factors were equal in my mind.
- "Because it's an icon." This is for you Skyline people, Hilux people, Figaro people and more. These fantastic vehicles were never sold here, and they're amazing. People just like seeing these drive around!
- "Because it's amazing." Here I'm thinking about a Delica, or the like. You just can't get that from a a USDM van!
The reason I hear altogether too frequently is "Because it's fast". You're not going to win hearts by saying that you can drive fast. Think up something more inventive if this is your go-to.
rob
Response from Honourable Andrew Swan
Today, I got a response from Hon. Andrew Swan, the MLA that is in charge of MPI.
It's obviously not just a form letter, this is good. But, I'm not declaring victory. Now, to wait to hear MPI's response, now that they've been prodded by an MLA.
The response:
Dear Robert Guderian:
Thank you for your email message regarding grey import vehicles and the compliance requirements to operate these vehicles in Manitoba.
I referred your concerns and suggestions to Manitoba Public Insurance senior officials to inform them of your thoughts on this issue and for consideration. The corporation is reviewing the issue and will contact you directly once its review is complete.
Thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns to my attention.
Yours truly,
Andrew Swan
Minister charged with the administration of the
Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act
rob
CJOB Radio Interview
The Road Trip on CJOB had me on as an interviewee again, to discuss the campaign we've started!
Michael Clark called me up, we discussed the ideas, and decided we should advertise that RHD drivers want to be at the table to talk about our cars in an open and honest way. Which we do!
So, Here it is! I hope you enjoy it!
rob
An open letter to the Government of Manitoba
A while ago I drafted up a letter to send to the Government of Manitoba about how poorly they are treating grey imports in Manitoba. It's summer, and I haven't heard any valuable response. Needless to say, I'm disappointed, but now I'm opening up this letter to all of you to send to your MLA and anyone you think should read it.
You should send it to:
Hon. Steve Ashton, Minister of Transport: minmit@leg.gov.mb.ca
Hon. Andrew Swan, in charge of MPI: minjus@leg.gov.mb.ca
Your MLA, found here.
I have prepared a coverletter for you to use, just replace all the 'your name' to... your name. Ideally print it out and snail mail it, but email is just as effective.
The technical document is here in PDF form, and HTML form.
Here's the original coverletter for your entertainment.
Attention Honourable Steve Ashton, Honourable Andrew Swan, and Ms. Marilyn Brick
Regarding Grey Imports and Safety in Manitoba
There has been a noticeable increase in the number of grey imports Manitoba and Canada as a whole. Manitoba laws require that compliance items are completed to allow the vehicle to be on the road. These laws are in place to make the vehicle more safe, but the laws regarding compliance items for these vehicles is outdated. The requirements that MPI and Manitoba has in place for Grey imports does not make the vehicles safer, but in fact makes them less safe.
Attached you will find a detailed report of the current situation, and some suggestions for making requirements simpler for these vehicles, which will also make the vehicle safer. It details how other provinces that have larger numbers of grey imports has dealt with the situation, and suggests that Manitoba take the same approach as British Columbia has taken, which is to simplify and clarify requirements - focusing on important and relevant safety items.
One of the problems with the current compliance requirements, is that the requirements are confusing and are often unknown to or misunderstood by safety inspection stations, law enforcement officers and the owners of the vehicles. Adopting a simple set of requirements would ensure important safety items are addressed and easily enforced. Accepting a simple set of easy to understand requirements would ensure that grey import vehicles meet these requirements, making the vehicles suitable for Manitoba roads, thereby making roads safer.
If there is any questions about anything in the attached documents, I would be happy to discuss it with you.
Regards,
Robert Guderian
Enlc: Grey Imports in Manitoba - Clarifying Requirements to Make Manitoba Roads Safer
Grey Imports – Canadians aren’t the only ones who do it
I found this quite interesting. CADA would have you believe that Canada is the only place in the world that imports cars from Japan. They even have called them 'dumping ground for unsafe vehicles'. So here we go, people in Britain do it too. Makes sense, both drive on the left side of the road, so it works quite well.
This is an old top gear episode, and the host is quite conservative, and the people are buying cars in a way I wouldn't. The cars in question in this video are bought without concern by an importer, and sold in an auction in the Ireland. Personally, I'd only buy a car I could test drive, or directly from Japan through an experienced auction agent. I don't think I'd trust someone who brings in a number of cars just to sell them off.
I think it's interesting how Top Gear approaches this problem. Yes - there _can_ be issues with these cars, and yes - they can be expensive to fix. But it has to be a calculated risk. You can get a much nicer car for a much nicer price in Japan, but you need to make sure you know what you're buying... like they say in the video, talk to someone who knows what they're talking about first.
I want to say the video is well-balanced, but it's not. They're a little too negative though the video, with just a note of "but they're not all that bad" at the end. Take it for what it's worth, since it's still quite interesting to see other people have the same discussions we have.
Without further delay:
rob
Skymeet 2011 – a roaring success!
Last Saturday is a date Nissan Skyline owners and enthusiasts will remember. The largest gathering of Nissan Skylines (and GTRs) in Canadian history took place in Ontario at Right Drive. In total, the day saw a gathering of 64 cars, 55 of which were either a Nissan Skyline or a Nissan GTR.
The Nissan Skyline is truly an exotic car, quite a sight for any car enthusiast. I'm sure all of us have dreamed of owning this iconic sports car at one point or another. To see 55 in one place, at one time, is another sight altogether. It is not often that such a gathering occurs. GTRCanada.com members came to Vaughan from as far away as Montreal, Ottawa and London to take part in a historic day.
Skymeet is an annual event that is in in third year. Originally it was piggybacked on other events surrounding a race track, but this year it was a pure meet for the purpose of allowing devoted members and enthusiasts to get together and talk Skyline (and for an awesome spectacle for the rest of us!).
GTRCanada.com was founded by Dr. John Chu and is now run by Daryl Henwood, the parts manager at Right Drive Inc. Membership has grown by leaps and bounds since 2004, when the first Nissan Skylines reached Canadian shores (because of the 15 year rule). Even today though, catching a glimpse of these Japanese legends can be few and far between.
Thank you Right Drive for opening your all your hard work, and for hosting this event! We're really looking forward to next year! Also, thanks to IKnowRight Studios for the photos (all photos in this post are courtesy of Right Drive).
rob
Alert all Skyline owners: Meet this weekend in Vaughan ON!
The 3rd annual Skymeet is coming up fast! Basically, this is a meet for Skyline owners... and all skyline owners are welcome! Spectators are welcome too.
It sounds like it's going to be a good time. The meet is at Right Drive. 1970 Highway 7 West, Vaughan, Ontario.
There'll be photos here via RightDrive.ca, and I'm sure everywhere else too!
So, be there if you can be. Otherwise, live vicariously though this site, or Rightdrive.ca (I'll be doing this option, unfortunately).
rob