If you have a BMW M3 touring imported on your to-do list 2025, you are a lot of luck and wealthier person than me. But according to the recent communications from the European Union and the US trade agreements, they may not be alone. Many unclear language in the negotiations have scratched many in the auto industry. And although this is becoming more and more common these days, this time there is actually a conclusion of optimism. A world in which car manufacturers can send us the US market and European market vehicles indiscriminately between the two countries may not be far away. Is it just too good to be true?
New trade agreements could enable the Euro-Spec cars to the USA
Here is what is going on. On August 21, a joint explanation on the Weißen House website outlined a trade frame between the European Union and the USA. There are many interesting reading – including Article 7, an agreement in which the EU “significantly increases the procurement of military and defense equipment from the USA” – but we will mainly boil them together on what is important for cars. For us, Article 8 is. The exact passage is: “In terms of automobiles, the United States and the European Union intend to mutually accept the standards of the other.”
The most obvious and optimistic translation of the text is simple. This means that European market cars and US market cars can be sold in both marketplaces, since each region now “recognizes” the standards of others. Without additional clarity, this also means that “standards” can refer to fuel consumption, accident reliability or almost different guidelines from car manufacturers from the local government. What that ultimately means that cars previously cars Forbidden For the United States and all countless diesel or basic model-stick-shift bmws, it is now completely legal to own and drive in the United States.
What we don’t know
Of course, there is a lot missing in Article 8 that require clarification. Does it only apply to new vehicles? If not, how do the new regulations affect the 25-year rule? Us drivers can currently import cars for over 25 years, even if they do not adhere to the security standards of the federal vehicle. While the M3 touring is high on my “to-import” list, outside the production cars such as the F31 340i touring and the Quad Turbo M550D touring are not far behind. If it is only new vehicles, can retailers who are originally only planned for Euro markets sell vehicles? When will all of this become official?
Unfortunately, almost zero answers come with a laundry list of questions. There is also the sad, hard reality that all of this is probably a bit wrong. It is more likely that the language is deliberately vague to continue working together what could be “be”. But in the end nobody knows until the EU or we give further instructions. I don’t know anything about you, but I will spend a little more time to search some international auction pages tonight. You know. Only in case.
Source: automotive messages
