[Mugen_Power]

Originally Posted by V-16

Such cars will have just one key (the original would have between 3 to 5 keys) The music system would generally have been changed (due to the non availability of the code) and it would have been repainted.
Also expect the car to have the odometer tampered with.

True, Some of these cars dont have original keys, music system and vin plate Afaik.

[v12]

Most of the Landcruisers, Mercs (imported ones) you see on our roads are ones which have been imported through jhol. In most cases, the owners dont even know that the cars has been illegally imported. But in many cases, they are well aware of the fact. How can an owner who has imported a brand new 2007 SL55 allow his car to run on 1995 registration. How can a brand new SLK200 run on the same registration as that of a Merc E240 (both belonging to the same owner)??

Given the reputation of various dealers in Mumbai, its difficult for a prospective owner not to go through the dealers credentials. Anyways, I dont think Choksi will be in for long. There are a lot of big people (politicians, filmstars etc) involved in this scam so it wouldnt be too long before he is out and imports another exotic..... and we would always be on the lookout for them, right? no matter how they're imported

[ajmat]

Hmmm, we were talking about fraud, now it has switched to economics and import tariffs - lets get back on track,

You will note that Upaj and Chocksi had a monopoly, now we have a lot of new kids o n the block.

BTW, all the DRI need to do is review the HR18 regs!

[FlyingSpur]

Originally Posted by ajmat

BTW, all the DRI need to do is review the HR18 regs!

Absolutely, ajmat!

Originally Posted by ajay99

Regarding roads INDIA is a country with lot of poor people and for them FOOD, WATER, Shelter are the first priority,NOT 5 star roads !!!!

Strange then, dont you think Ajay? ...that neither do us petrolheads get our cars/roads, nor do the deprived get their necessities. Cultural differences between two countries has got nothing to do with Choksi's arrest or this thread, or for that matter even the deviated topic of discussion i.e. import duties. Can we all stop trying to be all patriotic every time we find a window of opportunity to do so? And discuss exactly what's meant to be discussed in this thread?

[v1p3r]

I was hoping for some major gossip, and pics of imported beauties, and of other beauties too, like Sush.

Instead, I'm getting a crash course on protectionism, free-market trade theories, and a lot of other useless things. STOP THE MADNESS!

[Cyrus43]

Originally Posted by jesal

im out of this thread too many people and their love for this country fail to see that their protection and ignorance is driving the country itself no where. i dont want bmw to be a prestige brand i want it standing like a normal car. is bmw 3 series prestige anywhere else in the world no so then why india. is it some ubercool country that deserves it. forget this argument goes no where in the end people will go like if u do not like the country leave it but that is the lamest one i have heard.

Did you know, That in england, in 2007 there were more 3series BMW's sold than Ford Mondeos??? (source-Top gear)

Jesal buddy, our time will come too. In the mean time lets have some pictures of the "Famous" Choksi's cars please.. Shall we...

[ajmat]

Cleaned up thread - focus on Fraudulent Foreign Car here please

[jesal]

Originally Posted by GTA

Did you know, That in england, in 2007 there were more 3series BMW's sold than Ford Mondeos??? (source-Top gear)

Jesal buddy, our time will come too. In the mean time lets have some pictures of the "Famous" Choksi's cars please.. Shall we...

thts good to know bmw sells more. in india none sell more at all. and im not waiting till india suceeds i cant be bothered even. in hope is waste of time in this place. so is choksi not out yet on bail, come on money unders table not spent here, indian cops are not so nice to do their jobs well

[GTO]

Everything said and done, the grey market will always exist. It will run parallel even if an authorised dealership is offering the same very car. Why? Not because of the price premium of the authorised dealership, but because of *black* money!

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by GTO

, the grey market will always exist. It will run parallel ...................., but because of *black* money!

In addition

1: Beating official importer quota's and high margins
2: There are always the odd supercar in stock abroad and costing the dealer money, a quick turnaround to a grey channel give liquidity
3: A lot of Ferrari's are bought for resale speculation, the importer cannot indulge in this so the grey market becomes the channel
4: Official guy has to deal with all govt bodies in black and white (most of the time), for the grey imported it is always, er um grey!

[SohailPistawala]

OFF topic: so many talks about the white and the Black and the Grey market!! it reminds me of the Song from the movie Company : sab Ghandha Hai par dhandha Hai yeah.

[veyron1]

There's a reason why the grey market exists, like everyone else has so clearly pointed out.

When the R1 was expected to be launched, everyone feared for the "grey market dent-effect". But with the official prices commanding a premium of over 3 lac rupees, the grey market still flourishes on.

Call me the Devil's advocate, but since we all know of the legality (or the lack thereof) of the import-practices going around, isn't it fair that guys like Mr.C exist, so that some poor felllow can finally get his hands on the import of his dreams....

The "poor fellow" in question could be a hard-working enthusiast, who would never be able to get his hands on a brand new import with the paltry sum that he makes every month, but has dreamt of owning car "x", "y", or "z", irrespective of it's condition...new, or used....

Thanks to Mr. C & his likes, many used imports (pre-owned by the same politicos & film stars in question) lie around for prices that would fetch another boring Santro.

There are twice as many imports lying around in Delhi than anywhere else. But we don't see that many arrests & DRI raids there now, do we?

Just pondering over both sides of the proverbial coin, IMHO....

[GTO]

Of course they should exist, Veyron else we wouldn't have 10% of the exotics on Indian roads today. However, what we insist on is that the paperwork is clean and the car legal. This is not what happened in Sens case.

[Anupam]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

I did also read today that she paid Rs. 4 lacs as official duty on the car. What is the % of import duty on foreign cars now?

180% of the invoice value, which is subject to physical evaluation/verification, under-valuation is rampant, if you do manage to convince/justify (from the document viewpoint) to the inspector that the car is old then probably then you are through..unless there is someone who wants to take your case and xpose you.

[GTO]

Choksi arrested yet again! I read in the Times this morning that he was arrested alongwith another dealer who was in charge of the "jhol" financial transactions. This has got to deter shady dealers from cheating imported car customers.

P.S. : Choksi is also the owner of the Skoda authorised dealership - AutoBahn.