Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions we regularly get asked about importing and selling American cars, and the right hand drive conversion process.
If your question isn’t answered below, please contact us.
Right Hand Drive Conversions
What’s the difference between you and other conversion companies in Australia?
The difference is that VAI are the original, and most reputable conversion company in Australia, and the longest standing company in Australia to import American vehicles and convert them to right hand drive. VAI pride themselves on at least 70% return business from customers, having three and four American vehicles imported and converted to right hand drive by VAI.
We also have a huge emphasis on attention to detail, in that everything reasonably possible in the right hand drive conversion is as it would be in the original. VAI do the entire conversion in our Traralgon workshop, and no part of the conversion is processed prior to the vehicle arriving on Australian shores.
Is your engineering and conversion process done in Australia?
Yes, the entire conversion process takes place at our Traralgon workshop. Our team of highly experienced technicians and engineer’s dismantle, engineer, convert and reassemble the vehicles on site. Although there are some parts ordered from overseas, every progression of the conversion process is done in house- including the auto-electrical component of the conversion.
Do you use any “cross-over” parts to link original drive to the right hand side?
No. The drive is fully right hand, including steering shaft, steering box, pitman arm, linkages and all other associated controls and parts. See the example photos on our Conversion Process.
Can I visit the workshop and see the conversion process for myself?
Of course! We welcome visitors and conduct tours of the workshop. We encourage you to do this as it will instil confidence in our engineering and in your finished product.
Do you have Quality Assurance?
Yes. VAI are continually evaluating our processes to ensure we bring you the finest quality in engineering and service provision in right hand drive conversions. We utilise a QA process to ensure we meet the ISO 9000:2001 Quality Assurance Standard.
Warranty
What Warranty do you offer?
VAI are proud to back their conversions by offering the only UNCONDITIONAL WARRANTY in the industry. When we say unconditional, we mean it! Anything that goes wrong with the vehicle will be repaired in the first year or 30,000km. We do not ask that you bring the vehicle back to us in Traralgon, but rather that a qualified serviceman does the work. If you are happy with whom you currently use to service and maintain your vehicles, then so are we. We also offer a 2-4 year extended warranty under the National Warranty scheme.
Road Side Assist
Do you have Road Side Assist?
VAI utilise the Mondial Nationwide Road Side Assist program for 3 years of peace of mind.
Car Imports
Can I import my own vehicle and bring it to you to convert?
Yes. We can also assist you with all that is involved with the import process from start to finish. We can act as a signatory, do the import approval and organise all the transport, shipping and handling necessary. A fee is charged for this work.
Can you get me a second hand vehicle from the US and convert it?
We have relationships with US suppliers and transport businesses that act on our behalf. They can search for the vehicle that best suits your needs. We can organise for them to buy it privately, at Auction or in a Car lot. We can again, handle all the imports and transport processes necessary and guarantee you will get the vehicle you have requested.
Are there any difficulties road registering imported vehicles in Australia?
In short, no. To date, only South Australia’s motor vehicle registration requires an additional engineer’s certificate. But it is important to know that the Federal Department of Transport have a set of rules governing every vehicle make and model in Australia. Theses rules are called “compliance”. Every vehicle sold at VAI comes with it a “Customer Information Notice” (CIN) which is a legal notice only issued by a registered compliance signatory. Imported and converted vehicles must have a CIN when registering your imported vehicle and do not require any other certificates. Ask us for more detail