Australian Atom - are we getting close?

[xr_ated]

Does anyone know if Australia will ever get the Atom?

Is there a way of importing directly from the UK to get around some of the ADR problems?

[wisp]

Hi xrated, Welcome.

If by ADR problems you mean Australian Design Rules, I think these apply regardless of who brings the car into the country?

There is an official Ariel distributor for both Australia and New Zealand who is based in Oz. http://www.openwheelers.com.au/

There are even a couple of cars in Australia. It is just not legal to drive them on the road due to all the red tape the government departments have imposed.

In New Zealand we get the cars complied under LVVT (Low Volume Vehicle Transport). Why they don't fit under the Specialist And Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS) in Australia I don't know. What I do know is that two importers have spent a great deal of time and money over the last eight years without being able to get road compliance for the car in Australia.

[xr_ated]

Well that is not what I wanted to hear

Why is it governments always want to be the fun police.

[apollyon25]

What else would they do?

[AtomFun]

[quote="apollyon25"]
What else would they do?
[/quote]

Fiddle expenses
Conspire with large corporations for contracts
Pay bribes to members of the Saudi Royal 'Family'
Do up their homes at taxpayers expense
Tell lies
Pretend they're genuinely concerned with events in Dafur & Zimbabwe where there's no oil
Make false election promises
Employ family members to do research and avoid high rate tax
Tell an American audience how much you love American TV following a teeth whitening session
Play ball games on Clapham Common

Anyone add to the list? 

[Bruce Fielding]

[quote="AtomFun"]
Fiddle expenses
Conspire with large corporations for contracts
Pay bribes to members of the Saudi Royal 'Family'
Do up their homes at taxpayers expense
Tell lies
Pretend they're genuinely concerned with events in Dafur & Zimbabwe where there's no oil
Make false election promises
Employ family members to do research and avoid high rate tax
Tell an American audience how much you love American TV following a teeth whitening session
Play ball games on Clapham Common

Anyone add to the list? 

[/quote]

Ever thought of doing something about politicians other than bemoaning them, John?

You could (off the top of my head) :

Start a newspaper
Start a blog
Stand for election
Start a campaign
Start an anti-political political party

I wouldn't personally, because I don't think we have anything to complain about.

[wisp]

[quote="xr_ated"]
Well that is not what I wanted to hear

[/quote]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

You could always immigrate. Before long Oz is going to full of even more Kiwis anyway. 

[AtomFun]

That's okay then. I'm glad you Londoners are paying for the Olympics 

[kaygee]

Bruce,

are you being serious about "the nothing to complain about" comment?

[Bruce Fielding]

[quote="kaygee"]
Bruce,

are you being serious about "the nothing to complain about" comment?
[/quote]

Yup.

Of course it's not perfect. No government is. But this one is better than most.

[kaygee]

By most, do you mean Mugabe

[AtomFun]

[quote="Bruce Fielding"]
Of course it's not perfect. No government is. But this one is better than most.
[/quote]

Exactly, what a sorry state!

[wisp]

At least your bureaucrats, like ours, allow Atoms to be driven on the road. So we can be more thankful than our Australian cousins.

Anyone got a solution to their problem?

[AtomFun]

[quote="wisp"]
Anyone got a solution to their problem?
[/quote]

Yes, get Mark Thatcher (son of Margaret Thatcher) in to arrange a military coup to overthrow the Australian Government.

[xr_ated]

[

Yes, get Mark Thatcher (son of Margaret Thatcher) in to arrange a military coup to overthrow the Australian Government.
[/quote]

What is his number?  I'll consider anything to get the Atom into Australia (why should the Kiwi's be having all the fun)