Although there is currently a petition before the NHTSA to certify the RS4 as "substantially similar" to the USDM A4, that petition has not yet been approved (see Docket NHTSA-2002-11847). But at least it's farther along in the process than the EVO VII petition.

I agree that G&K is not waiting on the arrival of a USDM EVO. I believe that G&K has a 120 day window from the time the EVO VIIs entered the country until they must file paperwork with NHTSA.

As to the question of EI bashing, it seems to me that one of the following is true:
1) EI doesn't understand the process and its risks very well and makes up answers to its customers' questions about them (e.g. "How long will it take?").
2) EI DOES understand the process and its risks and simply lies to its customers.

 

Here's a question:

When the Evolution gets here, will it be easy to import a LHD Evo VIII? If EI gets approval for the Evo VIII, couldn't just anyone bring in an Evo 8 as long as they can find an importer (we're talking LHD models here)?

I met a guy the other day who has a RHD Evo VI. How hard are dealer plates to get anyway?

e in la

 

Ok more opinion about to be injected here. First, I think that the idea of plunking down over $30k for a non legal US vehicle sight unseen entails more than a fair degree of risk. Even more risky than if one had put the approx $30k required for purchase in the stock market and waited until when (and if) EI can deliver a street legal EVO VII to customers. Even in this market, you could have made money off of fixed income securities.

Ok, for those that took the risk and paid their dollars. At this point it doesn't really matter what EI has said in the past to whomever about whatever. I think what really DOES matter from this point forward is EI taking decisive action to eliminate the "black box" type process which seems to be in place here between themselves, their RI, and their customers.

For those that don't know, a "black box" process is where an end result is derived from action(s) unseen and unknown. The military loves these type programs. As a crude example, Congress approves a few billion dollars for SDI research wanted by the Air Force, the money goes into the "black box," and shazaam, you have a missile defense system a few years later. Thanks to recent posts from Senor Info, there are actual concrete facts being posted about the process of legalizing a foreign vehicle for importation and registration within the United States as a street legal vehicle. Some of the step(s) within the black box are starting to come to light, but there's more information needed.

If EI is a reputable firm that is truly committed to customer satisfaction and maintaining said reputation with their customers and the performance community as a whole, they need to take any and all necessary actions with the RI whose services they chose to employ (G&K), to accurately determine the rest of the steps within the black box that are not yet known as fact. Some examples: Is "similar vehicle" status going to be filed against a USDM Lancer, a USDM Evo VIII? When is G&K going to be filing their petition with NHTSA? etc, etc...

EI does not deserved to be "bashed" or the like. Bashing doesn't accomplish anything in a constructive fashion. HOWEVER, from the few posts of information offered from some EI customers, it appears at first glance that customers are being strung along with a series of estimated delivery dates that are continually advanced with little or no explanation. If someone did compare this scenario to the movie "The Money Pit" where Tom Hanks asks his contractor how long it would take to fix his wreck of a house, and continually gets the answer "Two weeks, two weeks" six months later, they'd hit the nail on the head.

If EI is on the sideline as an observer of the legalization process, that's useless in my book. Perhaps it is time to get involved to accurately determine the approach being taken by the RI to execute and (hopefully) complete the legalization process. It's time for EI to actively drive the process for the good of themselves and their customers if they have not done so already. If this was accomplished, accurate communication could take place between all parties and an expectation level could be set as to realistic date(s) for delivery to customers who have paid for their cars.

I myself would be highly concerned if EI hasn't done this or isn't willing to do this. That behavior would be a fairly clear indicator that they have little to no realistic committment of delivering a street legal Evo VII to customers. At that point, I'd be readying legal representation to argue in court (if necessary) that EI made false claims of producing or delivering a product for purchase by consumers that in reality, they had either no true corporate committment or interest in demonstrated by absence of due dilligence on their part involving the intricacies of the legalization process.

To close out. I sincerely hope that those who paid for a street legal Evo VII get it and enjoy it. Initially you've probably had a few sleepless nights just thinking about how great it would be when you get your Evo VII. By now, you may be having a few sleepless nights just thinking IF you are going to get the car.

Again good luck...over and out...

 

I believe you misinterpreted my post. In the quote you are taking, I was refering to the fact that people on this forum themselves are not involved in the process and therefore their inferences on what is going on is nothing but heresay. You state : "it appears at first glance that customers are being strung along with a series of estimated delivery dates that are continually advanced with little or no explanation" Yes it appears that way, but then again when was the last time we actually heard from an EI customer and not someone who posts from second hand information?

 

I did misinterpret that quote...my apologies. The rest of my comments stand though as to EI driving the process if they are not actively doing so at this point in time.

 

No apologies needed....

 

GMat, didn't you talk with EI only two days ago? I have in mind this thread from you titled EI cars being released where you wrote:Do you feel, as a potential EI customer, that they lied to you or, at the VERY least, intentionally misled you?

I guess you'll know for sure by the end of this week.

 

No I dont feel ive been misled. I already have my answers.

 

Please enlighten me/us. What were your questions for EI and what were their answers (which, apparently, have satisfied you)?

 

Hey Senor info.... I think since you are very informed w/ everything on this topic, I really think you should give EI a call, and maybe convince them to comment on this post in general!

 

I think E.I. should post here on their own, if they care about the business that they have and especially for their customers.

 

Well, if being an Internet sleuth makes me well informed, then so be it. However, I have zero interest in buying a federalized EVO VII from EI and, therefore, have no reason to call them. On the other hand, there appear to be at least a handful of evolutionm.net members that have handed over significant $$$. I must presume that they've called EI about this thread. If they can't convince EI to respond to my observations, what chance do I, a non-customer, have? I would anticipate a stonewall if I called and appeared to be "very informed" and confronted them with the issues I've raised in this thread. I expect that would "solve" nothing.

 

" I believe you misinterpreted my post. In the quote you are taking, I was refering to the fact that people on this forum themselves are not involved in the process and therefore their inferences on what is going on is nothing but heresay. You state : "it appears at first glance that customers are being strung along with a series of estimated delivery dates that are continually advanced with little or no explanation" Yes it appears that way, but then again when was the last time we actually heard from an EI customer and not someone who posts from second hand information? "

also
"
If someone did compare this scenario to the movie "The Money Pit" where Tom Hanks asks his contractor how long it would take to fix his wreck of a house, and continually gets the answer "Two weeks, two weeks" six months later, they'd hit the nail on the head."

You hit that on the nail !!!!!!!!

I am one of the first 5 people who purchased a E7 from EI and I have yet to see it. I also know that the cars are not legalized yet. And yes they have been released. Why, I dont know. When I sign for it and I'm sitting in it, I'll believe it. Legalized or not!!!!

 

So, have you asked EI about this thread? What did the say?

What does the phrase "And yes they have been released." mean? It's impossible that they have been "released" to US drivers. Do you mean that they have been "released" for re-export?

I'm certain that you don't, at this moment, have possesion of "your" car. And you say you haven't "signed for" your EVO? What the heck does that mean?

 

I believe all the info at the beginning of this thread is very good, and I fully agree with it,BUT this thread is going to trash, and absolutly nothing that has been said (n the last few posts, with the exception of GVR4v, has any merit of fact.
If you have no intent to buy an Evo from EI, don't be cutting them down, without knowing what is going on. Most of this business is propriatary and very few people know what is actually going on. Even motorex, with their skylines are doing illegal stuff in the sea of rules and regulations. In the end this illegal activity is helping people to obtain their dream car.
EVO's, unlinke many other cars that are non-conforming, already come with most of the necessary equipment, and it is not a far stretch that they would be leagalized.
It is also not that far of a stretch that people may have their cars as evidenced by other public appearances. If people can drive them to drag strips to race (the infamous yellow 7), it does seem likely that people actually trying to go by the rules can do it too.

Please keep this thread kept to facts (like published data from NHTSA) and less speculation (which I am myself guilty of).
Meanwhile let the current EVO owners enjoy driving their cars (and thats a fact jack!).