Import vehicle preparation report - 2015 Daihatsu Copen Cero LA400K Blue (Part 2)
Today, I'd like to talk about the future of the 2015 Daihatsu Copen Cero LA400K (blue) for which we recently received an inspection report.
We purchased this vehicle as a base for creating our company's demo car, and plans to upgrade its interior and exterior have been underway since last summer.
To achieve an upgrade level almost identical to that of our other demo car, the Honda S2000, we have already ordered parts with long lead times. We are working diligently to show you the full details at the April event.
Therefore, when considering what we could do efficiently before loading the Copen onto the ship, we installed three large parts that would be costly to air-freight or that are restricted due to being classified as hazardous materials in Japan.
Of course, we are skilled at installing these parts, but this time we did so to save time and transportation costs and to serve as a reference for everyone.
The first is the installation of a Saito Roll Cage. Labour costs in Japan are about half the cost of air freight.
Secondly, there's the installation of a 70mm diameter exhaust from Mofac. Because this is a long cat-back product, air freight costs are significantly higher than for a product consisting only of a tailpipe. Air freight costs are several times higher than labour costs in Japan.
Thirdly, there are TRD performance dampers. These are gas-filled and, according to the shipping company's definition, are considered hazardous materials. Therefore, freight requires submission of an SDS (Safety Data Sheet) and payment of a surcharge. This does not apply if the dampers are already installed on the vehicle.
Bonnet dampers also face high hurdles for air and sea freight for similar reasons, so it's better to have them installed in Japan.
As you can see, we can provide meticulous service tailored to your needs, something other importers may not be able to offer.
We also offer import services for JDM vehicles other than the Copen to the UK. We specialise in providing meticulous service tailored to your budget. If you have a budget in mind, please contact us using this form.