Selective ban on imported used vehicles rapped

The Philippine Automotive Association (PAA) and the Truck Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (TMAP) expressed their disappointment yesterday over the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) selective ban on imported used vehicles.

Light truck manufacturers Isuzu and Pilipinas Hino filed a protest with the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), saying that "the government does not deem them important enough to protect against second-hand imports."

Under the Executive Order drafted by the DTI and set to be signed by President Arroyo within the month, a total ban will only be imposed on second-hand used cars.

However, government would still allow the importation of special purpose vehicles such as firetrucks, ambulances and even light vans.

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the total ban on used cars is intended to protect the local automotive industry which is already well established and has grown with the economy.

On the other hand, Roxas said the light truck industry is not as established as the automotive industry and government could therefore allow a selective importation of light trucks that are not being manufactured locally.

Isuzu and Pilipinas Hino, however, think otherwise and have thus lodged their protest with the BIS.

The PAA, for its part, criticized the still unsigned EO, pointing out that it is "only declaring something that is already illegal."