Posted on 08/28/2013 6:59:50 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
4x4 fans look away now! Land Rovers imported to U.S. are CRUSHED by customs for failing safety rules because they don't have airbags
• The exclusive vehicle was seized by customs officers in Baltimore
• Its importer had attempted to fool the authorities by changing its plate
• But they spotted the ruse and deemed it unfit for the US' roads
• Often selling for upwards of $100,000, this one is now worth just $30
The wrecking claw hangs over the Land Rover Defender as its operator prepares to crush the exclusive vehicle on the orders of US customs.
Moments later the air is filled with the sound of twisted metal and shattering glass as the value of the car is reduced from a starting price of $100,000 to just $30 in seconds.
The legendary Land Rover Defender - a favourite with the Royal Family - had failed strict US safety laws and was banned from the roads for failing to have an airbag.
All models less than 25 years old on the other side of the Atlantic are expected to have the safety feature.
As a result, there is a lucrative market for the British-made vehicles, which can fetch up to six-times their UK value, and are often sold in the US for upwards of $100,000.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
WTF ... what bureaucratic stupity is running this department?!? Even if the vehicle was proven to be imported illegaly, wouldn't it be better to auction off the vehicle with the provision that the new owner bring the vehicle into compliance? That could have been $100K to help out the overburdened U.S. taxpayers.
The Idiot Cousin Theory of Government
http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/2012/02/idiot-cousin-theory-of-government.html
Of course they would do this, the morons in charge believe in the sacred broken window fallacy.....
Those are the GOOD Land Rovers. You don’t need an air bag if you’re driving one of those things. They should let you put in a 4-point seatbelt as an alternative to an airbag.
Crushing a Defender is the equivalent of burning a Rembrandt.
If the vehicle is not street legal, there are probably a number of large ranches that could use it on private property. Or it could be a for a number of other functions besides driving on public streets.
I can see not granting a license to a non-compliant vehicle so that it can’t be driven on public roads. But people can drive noncompliant vehicles on their own property. My neighbor drives an old car with no doors to move stuff around his property. It’s so old, I know it doesn’t have air bags.
As the previous poster stated, it’s likely possible that this vehicle could be retrofitted with airbags.
Also, it’s not likely, but possible that someone was importing this for an art project or to go into a museum.
Big overreach of government, IMO. And what a waste. The owner should have the option of paying the freight back to the point of origin.
Oh, good Lord.
Jesus come quickly - please.
effing morons. all i can say.
Any extra money for border enforcement would only be used to hassle US citizens and crap like this but certainly not to keep out illegal aliens.
Let’s face, the biggest enemy of the American people is the Federal government. Right now, I can’t think of anything that they do that is useful and effective. But, there is plenty that is destructive.
A lot of GIs went out and bought SAABs, BMWs, MBs, etc. thinking that they'd still be saving bucks paying to have them shipped state side.
What they didn't count on was the cost to bring them up to US specs, which in some cases, came close to wiping out virtually everything they'd saved getting the car at half price.
Maybe if we crushed illegal immigrants they’d get more sympathy.
Not a big loss.... though I wonder why they crushed it. Probably to get headlines. This government is flaunting its power.
On the other hand, I can’t imagine why anyone except rich yuppies with little sense would want a Land Rover of any modern vintage. They are fire risks, electrical disasters, and generally shop queens (look the part, but can’t perform to it unless seriously revamped).
Generally speaking, the folks paying money should be able to own a piece of expensive junk if they want too, unless it was a threat to other citizens on the road (explosive to the point of taking out surrounding traffic).
For all the negative bluster around the Suburban based H2, the H2 was a pretty capable vehicle. Still not meant for true rock crawling off the showroom floor, but inherently more reliable and safer than a Land Rover!
If you want proof, look at the resale values on Land Rovers, and their safety and reliability records. The truth is out there.
Thought I’d take this opportunity to call out a brand that is trading strictly on appearance and historic reputation these days...
In exactly two words: Lucas Electrics.
There's the problem right there. It's one thing to import a noncompliant vehicle. It's a totally different thing to try to pass it off as something it's not.
EEEEEEEEK! A car with no airbags! Small children can sit up front! EEEEEEEEK!
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
“Its importer attempted to fool the authorities by changing its plate...”
Maybe he’ll have better luck next time he tries to cheat.
The con went south and he elected to do nothing.
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