Revised August 6, 1998

* Recent NHTSA Reauthorization Act.  See below.

Sun International has more than 25 years of experience in all areas of the automobile business and related topics.
It's our art form.
For more than 25 years we have specialized in problem solving for "niche" and small volume specialty vehicles that are not available through the original manufacturer. We can provide solutions for: importing, EPA, CARB, DOT, engineering, marketing, promotion, sales, after sales, warranties, spare parts, performance parts, long term support, etc.
Some examples of our specialty vehicles and small volume programs: BMW Alpina, Ferrari 512 BB, 400i, Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, Porsche 959, Renault 5 Turbo, Ford RS 200, Ford Escort RS Cosworth, etc. This type of vehicle is not available through the original manufacturer because it is impractical for the manufacturer to accomplish the US homologation / Certification for such a small volume and / or to provide all of the related support services including long term after sales support that would normally be provided for larger volume vehicles. We can provide all of the support or advise on the vehicle program solutions.

If your company wants solutions to automobile import, marketing, sales, distribution, promotion, engineering, Certification for US specifications, small volume vehicle programs, spare parts, etc. we can provide the complete solution or advise and help your company to develop all or any part of your program.

Sun International is or has experience as:

• an approved EPA and CARB "small volume manufacturer,"
• DOT Registered Importer,
• EPA ICI;
• licensed Vehicle Manufacturer.

When contacting us for consulting please consider the following:

• What does your company want to accomplish with what vehicle(s)?
• What is / are the problem(s) to solve?
• What is your present background knowledge and experience with this topic?
• What would you like us to do for your company?

In the meantime, you may want to contact: the manufacturer's US representatives, US Customs, EPA and DOT directly, also your state's DMV (and CARB if you live in California).
If you would like to import your own personal vehicle which will require services of a Registered Importer and Independent Commercial Importer, we strongly recommend that first you contact several representatives of the manufacturer to possibly obtain specific information regarding the difference between your present foreign vehicle and the manufacturer's US version of that model. In some cases the manufacturer has been able to supply an actual list of necessary modifications. Keep in mind that it is not always seen as in the manufacturers best interest to supply this information as it may be seen as a lost sale through the US importer. Nevertheless, it is worth your effort to try for this information.
Finally, when you contact the various RI's and ICI's ask them specifically if they already have experience making your type and model vehicle in compliance with US Standards. If they already have expierence with your type of vehicle then they can give you references and quote price, time and specifics objectively.

US Customs:
Request information and forms from the nearest office, from embassies and consulates abroad,
or write to: Customs, P.O. Box 74707, Washington, D.C. 20044
Duty Rate for imported automobiles: 2.5% of the declared value.

EPA:
Environmental Protection Agency;  EPA
Tel. USA 202 564-9660  This number has an excellent fax back service for obtaining forms and detailed explanations of the EPA regulations.

DOT:
Department of Transportation;      NHTSA / DOT

California:
California Air Resources Board (CARB) Smog Check ; tel. 800 / 952-5210;
or contact your local Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR)

Mercedes Benz Product Compliance - US (201) 573-0600

* Recently enacted NHTSA Reauthorization Act:
We've gotten a lot of questions on the effect of this Act. Following is our interpretation. Please do not take our opinion to be a definitive interpretation.
This Act only concerns the DOT. It does not affect EPA regulations. It does not affect EPA regulations for importation and does not affect CARB or any other state's emission requirements
It seemed to us that there has always been the possibility under DOT Form HS-7, Box 7, to import any car for test, modification, demonstration, etc. for a temporary period.
The effect of this Reauthorization Act does specifically include "show and display" but it would seem that there was always that possibility. Most probably there will be restrictions. Including prohibition against street use and resale. We are looking for a revised HS-7 Form, used at importation, that will include the new wording and any interpretations that exist at that time instructing Customs on procedures.
This becomes a matter of what the DOT instructs US Customs to do at the time of  importation.
for registration in California the affected vehicles will continue to require both DOT and EPA releases to be registered. Perhaps the effect of this new Act will mean that a person / entity will have a longer (maybe interminable time) to find solutions to DOT and EPA. In the past, Box 7 imports were on a temporary basis.
Bottom line: we don't see any change near term except that it is bringing attention to wish fulfillment for enthusiasts. The dollar is strong now, similar to mid 80's during the "gray market" days so perhaps the official importers will pressure the government to prohibit people bringing in their own vehicles to by pass the official importer. In the 80's the official importers got the lenders and insurers to turn against the "gray market" vehicles as a way of countering the price savings of independently importing one's own car.
Please contact DOT directly for precise meaning of the Reauthorization Act.

Date: July 1998