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Tuesday, 26 August 2014 01:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Q: 80,000 vehicles seem like a lot?
A: For a country of only 4.5 million population it certainly does, however it is important to know that New Zealand does not have any domestic manufacturing, therefore all vehicles are imported. In the last year alone New Zealand imported 100,000 used vehicles. By comparison Sri Lanka with a population of 21 million only imported around 15,000 used vehicles from Japan.
Q: Currently what services do they provide and what market segments do they serve?
A: JEVIC has a wide network of service points spread throughout a broad spectrum of geo regions worldwide, with maximum reach where they provide unique essential services for pre-inspection of used vehicles like road worthiness inspections, quarantine services, odometer verification, vessel quarantine inspections, cargo surveys, and radiation assessment (JEVIC is approved by the Japan Ports and Harbour Authority). They operate in Japan, Australia, Kenya, Malta, Uganda, Singapore, South Africa, UAE, UK, USA, and Zambia. Last but certainly not least, JEVIC conducts the pre-export inspection for Sri Lanka.
Q: JEVIC began this inspection for Sri Lanka relatively recently. What have been their experiences so far?
A: It has been a very productive year for Premium and JEVIC, meeting with exporters as well as importers and Government authorities in Sri Lanka. Everyone is very positive and interested in working constructively together. It is a concerted effort to make our roads safer for all.
Q: How does Sri Lanka compare to other markets JEVIC operates in?
A: Sri Lanka is different from other used import markets in the degree of restriction, which is currently two years for passenger vehicles. For example, New Zealand uses emissions and frontal impact standards to effectively limit imports of vehicles that do not meet a minimum safety and environmental standard. Most vehicles in Japan from 2004/2005 meet this standard. Kenya on the other hand, simply has an age restriction like Sri Lanka. However, in Kenya it is eight years rather than two.
Q: What areas does the Sri Lanka inspection cover?
A: The inspection is complex; however, in a nutshell, vehicles are checked for evidence of major structural damage, flood and fire damage, general vehicle condition, and any broken or missing standard factory components. Vehicles also have a radiation contamination assessment.
Q: Why is radiation an issue?
A: Since the unfortunate events of the earthquake and the meltdown at the Fukushima Daichi reactors, there has been concern over radioactive contamination. At the time of the disaster, JEVIC was able to procure a large amount of radiation assessment equipment and provided assistance to the Japan Harbour Authority with equipment and advice in setting up the current system. In the first six to nine months there were a number of vehicles found at the ports with very high levels of radioactive contamination, however, now high levels are not found and vehicles that are even marginally over the contamination limit are rare.
Q: Why should people ask for JEVIC by name?
A:JEVIC provides assurance to the Government, the trade, as well as the end user. Importers often buy over the internet and are unable to physically inspect or see the vehicle in person. With a JEVIC inspection they can be assured of a quality certification that strictly adheres to predefined minimum standards, thereby safeguarding their interests, which gives them the ease of mind they are entitled to. Exporters use JEVIC to show that their vehicles are of a certain quality and that they are a reliable operator and the government regulators who we are interacting with, feel that JEVIC provides a clearly defined minimum standard, which prevents the dumping of substandard, or end-of-life vehicles into their countries and Premium representing JEVIC provides the extension to that.
Q: It is perceived by many that Japanese vehicles are known to be more popular than others. What are your thoughts on this?
A: Japanese vehicles are renowned for their quality and durability, and provide unrivalled value over the long term. In Japan, new vehicles come standard with high specifications and accessories for the very discerning Japanese domestic market (HD navi - stereo, power windows, air conditioning, etc.). Many people feel that even a 10 or 15 year old Japanese vehicle is superior to a brand new Indian or Chinese vehicle for example.
Q: What does the future hold for JEVIC?
A: There are many exciting possibilities for working with Government bodies as well as industry, in both new and existing markets. JEVIC is continually looking for new technologies and conceptually thought out innovative new methods or approaches for ways to improve our inspections, and ultimately our service to our clients. In Sri Lanka, JEVIC has the unstinted support from exclusive agent Premium Trading & Logistics Ltd.; together we plan our way forward by providing the best for our stakeholders.
