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That doesn't make any sense. BMW and MB are much cheaper in Germany than the US, if you exclude VAT. I know this because some friends stationed near Bitburger b
by yardie 13y ago
That doesn't make any sense. BMW and MB are much cheaper in Germany than the US, if you exclude VAT. I know this because some friends stationed near Bitburger bought 2 5-series, had them prepped with NTSB bumpers and lights. Then shipped them, on the Air Force's dime, to the US. 2 years later, they sold them for more than they paid. Duty was 1.5%, sales tax was 4.5%
Unless the cars were built in the US, like the X5, there is no logical way to make it less expensive to re-import into the EU.
Car manufacturers are way ahead of film distributors in the global economy. Outside of luxury cars, most are manufactured in the country they are destined for. Or they setup a bilateral trade agreement (like Mazda and Ford) where carA is made in CountryA, carB is made in CountryB and both cars are sold in both markets.
> If its profitable to ship something from another part of the world where it is legally bought then people are going to do it.
You've never had your cargo held up in customs I assume. Airports don't count.
- sk5t 13y agoWell, BMW/MB might be cheaper in Europe if you get cheaper models and trim levels that aren't available in the US. As for being cost effective enough to overcome 30% depreciation in two years, frankly it sounds like a bit of a tall tale and I'd like to hear the specifics.
- pistle 13y agoGotta love that US wood grain look. Nobody kills a the euro look of a euro car like the Americans.
- yardie 13y agoNo, euro models have even better trim. I just checked the BMW site, 535i starts at 57000euros TTC, and $60000 without sales tax; Germany and US, respectively. Remove 20% VAT and its 45000 euros ($60000). Take it to a location where almost new, luxury cars with low mileage are a rare breed (like an airbase in North Dakota, Alaska, etc.) and 30% depreciation isn't a factor. If there is any tall tale reselling a car back in its export market is one. Containers cost money, shipping a car costs a lot of money, duties and taxes costs lots of money.
- oneguynick 13y agoBitburg Baron checking in. Didn't expect to see Bitburg mentioned in this thread. True that many an Airman bought cars and shipped them