Loophole to import foreign electric cars to U.S.?

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

So did the NV200, rebadged in the USDM as Chevrolet City Express.

There is your answer

Order 2x Battery free vehicle halfs (front+rear)
Buy donor Chevy
Procure desired battery size

Make like the limo places and hack it all together

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Buy donor Chevy

As the very same bodystyle has been crash-tested and certified in the USDM, and a DOT-approved lighting system is readily available if the stock one of a grey-import Nissan eventually gets deemed unsuitable, would a donor Chevy be really necessary? Presumably the intention was to bring a turnkey vehicle, not chopped up as parts.

[rmay635703]

Doesn’t matter what his intent is

Wrong vin, wrong region, no legal import

Just stating facts, government on the other hand doesn’t care about facts or sense.
Good reason for gray market laws being overturned


If he could manage a mostly complete nv200 in non-runnable condition there are more possibilities but still needs a legal donar car, understand that the government randomly crushes foreign cars imported intact and watches them like a hawk

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Are grey-import regulations there that strict? Still don't seem as bad as in my country though...

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Are grey-import regulations there that strict? Still don't seem as bad as in my country though...

Reagan’s US Grey market laws more or less ban all foreign cars, period.

If your a billionaire you can get around them but they aren’t made to allow imports by mere mortals

Really the only cars you can bring are over 25 years unless you find a way to skirt the law and “get away with it”

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

unless you find a way to skirt the law and “get away with it”

It doesn't seem to be much rocket-science regarding the Nissan e-NV200, as its very same bodyshell has already been NHTSA and DOT-certified for that Chevy rebadge, and being electric would render it easier to deal with EPA. Had it been a regular ICE-powered NV200, then it would be most likely a bigger PITA, as its powerplant and the evaporative emission controls follow substantially different standards.

[raubvogel]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Only 2 legal ways I know of, one is easy the other extraordinarily hard for an individual.

NEV Laws (and the sister LSV/ATV) laws are the only way to semi bypass US crash regulations on “newer” vehicles, you would need proof of speed being limited to 25mph

I thought the 1st gen G-Wiz would satisfy that requirement

[Drifter]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

It doesn't seem to be much rocket-science regarding the Nissan e-NV200, as its very same bodyshell has already been NHTSA and DOT-certified for that Chevy rebadge, and being electric would render it easier to deal with EPA. Had it been a regular ICE-powered NV200, then it would be most likely a bigger PITA, as its powerplant and the evaporative emission controls follow substantially different standards.

Just because it is the same platform and looks the same doesn't mean the underpinnings are identical. Chevrolet may had added/specified different crash structure/reinforcements.

I think they are much closer to equal these days, but 20 years ago even a Canadian spec car probably had different crash ratings than the same model in the US (The US abandoned 5mph bumpers in the 80s, but Canada kept them into the 00s).

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Drifter

Chevrolet may had added/specified different crash structure/reinforcements.

IIRC that van was supplied by Nissan already fully built, so for Chevrolet to add something else at the structure would be unlikely. Well, maybe checking where the US-spec model was made would render it easier to find out how substantially similar the electric Nissan-badged version is when it comes to the structure and safety, as it would most likely be cost-prohibitive to implement a handful of different parts catering only to the United States and Canada.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Drifter

Just because it is the same platform and looks the same doesn't mean the underpinnings are identical. Chevrolet may had added/specified different crash structure/reinforcements.

I think they are much closer to equal these days, but 20 years ago even a Canadian spec car probably had different crash ratings than the same model in the US (The US abandoned 5mph bumpers in the 80s, but Canada kept them into the 00s).

And the reality is it doesn’t matter if it is the same, as proven by my inability to bring a Canadian Trax into the US permanently.

All equipment, safety and Emissions, ECUs, etc 100% identical in the bill of material but GMs policy is to never provide a letter of conformance so unless I want to sue I can’t legally register one here, even though it is identical in every way.

Now if a car dealer wanted to import it probably wouldn’t be an issue.