Things are finally moving ! – A new list has just been published showing the first vehicle models to be approved by the Australian Govt. under transitional SEVS arrangements.
These are models NEVER BEFORE eligible for import to Australia and include hybrid / electric vehicles as well as significantly different versions of locally sold models.
NOTE: Inclusion in this list is just the first step to importing one of these vehicles – a compliance package must then be approved and a ‘sample’ vehicle imported before mainstream import becomes possible. This process typically takes another 3 to 6 months after the initial model approval. If you don’t want to wait and are keen to import the first vehicle as part of the compliance approval process, we can put you in touch with a compliance workshop to assist you.
Models approved under the transitional SEVS arrangements are designated ‘DSEV—’, short for ‘discretionary approval, specialist & enthusiast vehicle’.
This is to allow easy identification of vehicles eligible under the interim arrangements compared to those eligible under the Motor Vehicle Standards legislation.
These approvals have a 3 year expiry date, after which a new application will need to be made and approved. The set expiry date is designed to keep the approved models list current and relevant.
Vehicles approved SO FAR under SEVS interim arrangements as of 10 February 2020 are listed below under the Approved heading.
This is the INITIAL list of 18 vehicle models that the Govt. has approved for import in the first 3 months of the interim arrangements. More will be added and the list updated as time goes on, so there are a lot more models still to come including the following that are currently Pending Approval.
01 / 2012+ Toyota Prius ZVW35 and ZVW52 PHEV variants
12 / 2012 to 12 / 2016 Mercedes Benz E-Class 212 series E 400 Hybrid sedans
03 / 2017 to 12 / 2019 Mercedes Benz GLC-Class 253 series GLC 350 e PHEV variants, wagons and coupes (this entry does not cover GLC 300 e PHEVs which are provided in Australia in full volume)
11 / 2013 to 08 / 2019 Honda Vezel RU3, RU4 Hybrid variants, FWD and AWD
05 / 2019+ Toyota Supra J29 series DB22, 2L TC I4 engine, 190 kW 05/2019 (this entry does not cover the 2L TC I4 Supra variant that outputs 145 kW (DB82) as this variant does not meet the power-to-weight ratio of the performance eligibility criterion)