Australia's overly-strict import regulations are hurting car buyers, according to BMW.
It points to the all-new 6 Series Convertible, which has been stripped of its on-the-go email system, as the proof.
"Why does Australia think this is necessary?," asks
BMW Australia's outgoing product planner Alex Brockoff, who has been
promoted to BMW headquarters in Munich.
Brockoff tells Carsguide that Australians are missing
important features and exciting models because of the strict Australian
Design Rules which every locally manufactured and imported new car must
meet to be eligible for sale.
In Europe, the 6 Series' in-car infotainment system can sync through
bluetooth with the driver's mobile phone calendar and email, allowing
the driver have emails read to them by the car while driving. In
Australia the system is only allowed to begin operating while
the vehicle is stationary.
"Why not adopt the rules they have in Europe? In Europe they
are thinking about driver safety too. Why have separate rules? In
some instances maybe the [ADRs] are a little too strict," says Brockoff.
He also believes ADRs killed the slim chance BMW had of bringing the ultra high-performance M3 GTS coupe to Australia.
"The ride height was deemed too low. The ride height is okay for Europe, but not for Australia." He says.
BMW Australia was also unable to fit a lower-riding suspension available on the previous 6 Series range in other countries.
Audi is another
importer to have fallen foul of Australia's import regulations. The new
A6 sedan headed for Australia later this year can act as a WiFi hotspot,
so in-car phones and laptops can communicate through it with the
internet. It also means the A6 can access the latest satnav maps from
Google, or check emails, for example.
But Australian ADRs currently do not allow this cutting-edge
technology. The worldwide ISOFIX child seat anchoring system is another
bone of contention between carmakers and local regulators. The system
reduces the chance of incorrect child seat anchoring, and is used
extensively around the world, yet Australia does not acknowledge ISOFIX
and requires a unique local seat mounting system.
Brockoff says subtle differences like these can mean Australia
misses out. "Sometimes the [predicted sales] volume is so small that
even a little change can make it financially unfeasible to bring the
car here. If the Australian rules were the same [as Europe] then it
would be possible."
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