Cheap car imports Namibia’s dillema

Motor industry stakeholders are divided over plans to relax Namibia’s restriction on importing vehicles older than 12 years, with calls for greater consumer protection alongside efforts to improve access to affordable vehicles.

The government this month said it is reconsidering the restriction on importing vehicles older than 12 years.

Finance minister Ericah Shafudah, during an engagement with “order with me” operators in Windhoek, said the policy may have increased costs without achieving its intended purpose.

Pupkewitz Motors managing director Anton Westraadt says any move to relax the vehicle import restriction should include measures to protect consumers from unnecessary risks.

Westraadt says the company respects the government’s efforts to review policies in the interests of consumers and the economy.

“Our concern is not primarily commercial. It is about the customer who works hard, saves diligently and spends a significant portion of their income on a vehicle,” he says.