What you need to know about RHD cars?
Driving on the left-hand side of the road instead of the right has advantages and disadvantages, but you may be surprised to learn that it’s not all about safety! Let’s take a look at the reasons why so many people choose RHD cars over LHD cars.
Do I need an import license?
While getting a license to import an RHD car isn’t usually a requirement in most countries. It is still worth checking out whether you need one before starting your search. The laws surrounding importing will vary from country to country. So you must understand what these are for your chosen destination. For example, in some places, if your vehicle does not meet specific emissions standards or was previously driven on roads designed for right-hand turns only (such as in India), then importation may be illegal.
If importing is allowed, there may also be additional requirements (as with China). Such as certification and registration requirements, before it can be sold domestically. It’s therefore vital that you do your research and find out more information at JDM Sport Classics.
Why do RHD Cars cost less than LHD cars?
Before we start, it is essential to know that LHD stands for Left Hand Drive and RHD stands for Right Hand Drive. LHD and RHD have commonly used acronyms in India. And that’s what we will focus on: What makes an LHD car cost less than a similar RHD car?
We don’t have any solid data (yet), but certain things can explain why a foreign-branded car with rear-wheel drive will cost much less here than in other countries. Before we go into why it costs less, let’s discuss why it is more expensive abroad.
Automakers generally design their cars in such a way to maximize the efficiency of production at each plant site. This means they often equip different markets with different features and specifications. For example, if a particular automaker sells its cars in North America and Europe. It might equip North American models with more powerful engines while European models get smaller ones.
Producing larger engines requires more significant capital investment while producing smaller ones requires lesser investment. Since engine size determines how big a vehicle’s fuel tank needs, automakers must also factor fuel economy into their decisions.
In short, automakers tailor cars for specific markets based on local demand for power or fuel economy, market prices of raw materials; local labor rates; local sales taxes, etc., which all impact profitability, So here you will learn about the value of used cars.
Are all LHD cars more expensive?
When buying a car, there is no doubt that many people ask if it’s going to be more expensive because it is Left Hand Drive. The simple answer is no. Although many of us are accustomed to driving on the right-hand side. Left Hand Drive cars aren’t designed any differently from Right Hand Drive vehicles and aren’t any more expensive in their build processor parts.
There can sometimes be some variances in cost depending on which country you live in and whether or not customs duties have been applied. But these can typically be avoided by purchasing directly from manufacturers such as Ford, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and others who sell left-hand drive models worldwide. Due to demand, LHD vehicles will often be cheaper than their RHD counterparts when shopping for new or used cars online.
If you want an LHD vehicle but don’t want to pay extra for it, consider importing one. Imported cars may come with additional costs, but they also give you access to unique and hard-to-find models that may not otherwise be available in your region. You can check out local dealerships; However, they may charge slightly more for an imported model than a domestic one. They might offer better customer service and warranty options at competitive prices.
How do I find out which side my steering wheel is on
You’ll want to do the first thing: Google which side your steering wheel is on. Look for how-to articles, ask a friend, check other blogs and social media posts. You may have to jump through a few hoops before landing on something useful. But finding out which side your steering wheel is on should be fairly easy—no matter where in the world you are. We do recommend that, if possible, visit or contact someone with a car similar to yours so that they can confirm what kind of setup it has.
If you’re unable to find anything online, give up and take a trip to an auto parts store; there’s no shame in buying yourself a little more time. If all else fails, consider hiring an auto mechanic. They’ll likely be able to tell you which side your steering wheel is on quickly and accurately. There’s also no shame in paying someone else when time is of the essence!
Are there any other reasons why right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles cost less than left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles?
Indeed, the biggest reason is that left-hand drive vehicles are considerably more expensive than right-hand drive ones. While they are more prevalent in Europe and North America. LHD vehicles only account for around 10% of new car sales in Australia, with many others being righthand drive. This means that LHD vehicles have a much smaller target market. Because of that, it is difficult for manufacturers to justify spending as much money on them as they do on righthand drive models. Which have a significantly larger target market.
Consequently, cheaper materials can be used when producing them, and they are not made with as many bells and whistles either. However, if you want an all-wheel-drive vehicle or something that has been designed to cope with poor weather conditions, then an LHD model will probably be a better option.
But most people want something that looks good and performs well. So there’s no surprise why RHD cars are usually less expensive than their counterparts. But the price isn’t everything. For example, Nissan doesn’t make any righthand drive versions of its Leaf electric vehicle (yet). But Renault does make some, and those sell for $10,000 less even though both brands belong to the same parent company.
Conclusion
In conclusion, RHD cars are cheaper because they don’t have to conform to safety standards in countries outside of Europe. The car industry has often said that these vehicles are dangerous and not fit for use on public roads. But there is a growing lobby of car enthusiasts pushing for their legalization. At least one country, New Zealand, has legalized right-hand drive vehicles. Whether or not other countries will follow suit remains to be seen. If you’re looking for an alternative car-buying experience. It’s probably best to stick with left-hand drive models until things settle down.
