need help from hybrid owners

[finnone]

Hi all!

I'm new here and registered only because I haven't been able to find an answer to my question elsewhere. I would be grateful if someone could help me out with this.

I want to import used 2007 or new 2008 Camry hybrid from the States to Europe as it's not sold here and it sounds like a great car, especially with these gas prices (6$ a gallon). With all the different legislations and directives of European union, there are some problems I need to solve.

Could someone check his/her Hybrid if the head lights, tail lights, wind shield and other windows have european approval mark stamped in them. This means that along with the american approval mark (DOT or SAE i assume), there's a ring and inside of it a capital E followed by a number.

Thank you,

finnone

[GvilleTCH]

I checked the Windshield, side glass , front and rear lights and while there are numbers and letters other than DOT/SAE (or H11) I could not find a "ring and inside of it a capital E followed by a number."

I would think that importing a US Hybrid would present a Big Problem with service/parts as they are not being sold in Europe , and warranty issues/fixes would not be available should they arise. I know several master mechanics that wouldn't even work on my TCH other than minor service. It's Toyota Dealership only for major service and they can have problems getting parts in a timely manner...

The TCH is an early example of the next generation of vehicles. I would believe that more European Automakers would be releasing Hybrid/Battery/Hydrogen Transportation in the near future in lieu of the cost/hassle of importing a TCH...

[finnone]

Thank you so much GvilleTCH!

Ok, alone the missing E-marks practically makes this project undoable. I looked into it, and getting done all the windows that meet the european standards costs around 10000$.

The warranty/service issue you brought up is obviously true. I would have to have the car serviced at a dealer, delivery of parts would take some weeks since they would have to ordered from the states and so on. The warranty would be actually of 1 year (which is quite poor), that's the global warranty of any Toyota.

There are some hybrids available here in Europe, the lexus ones, honda civic, the prius ofcourse and probably some others but just to give an idea why I was thinking of importing a hybrid from USA (along the fact that I like the design of the Camry) for example Lexus RX400h costs here around 100 000$ and there around, what, 30 000$...