CORPORATE WINDOW: Muted impact of import of used cars

ROUGHLY 44,000-45,000 used cars were imported in FY25, according to a Japanese car assembler and a brokerage house. However, importers and dealers of vehicles offer a different view. According to Top Line Securities, the management of Honda Atlas Cars Limited (HACL) informed in a corporate briefing held in mid-July that around 45,000 “used cars” have been imported over the last 12 months, with the majority being 1,000cc or below. Honda management believes that “tariff rationalisation and rising used car imports are unlikely to impact the company as these primarily benefit vehicles below 1,000cc, which make up 90pc of total imports.” HACL said that further clarity on the implementation of the new used car import policy is expected from the government by September 2025, particularly regarding the duty structure, vehicle safety and emissions standards, and the phased relaxation of age limits.