The United States of America, the ‘land of the free’, and the land of weird laws. There are many crazy importation laws regarding cars. Now some cars that are very popular all around the world cannot be imported to the USA. Here’s a list of 10 cars that won’t be sold in the United States.
6. Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a great car. Top Gear once tested it and deemed it an indestructible car. The Hilux has great emission ratings and is very practical. However, it is not sold in the United States. This is due to the so-called ‘Chicken-tax.’ This has nothing to do with chickens but is a law that taxes 25% on potato starch, dextrin, brandy, and light trucks. The Hilux is obviously in the latter category. This tax is probably still used to create an advantage for trucks made in the USA, and it works. Some light trucks from foreign car manufacturers are built in the United States to avoid these taxes but many car brands just give up on the USA and produce their trucks in cheaper countries.
5. KTM X-Bow
Okay, this one is not 100% fit for this list, since you can actually buy the KTM X-Bow in the USA. However, you are not allowed to drive it. You’ll have to transport it on a trailer and you can only drive it on a racing track. But let’s be honest, that’s exactly the place where we want to drive it right?
4. Land Rover Defender 110
The Land Rover Defender 110 is a legendary car from the UK. It is praised for its off-road capabilities and has been used by many armies around the world. However, you cannot buy it in the United States. This is due to an airbag issue.
3. Peugeot RCZ Coupe
The Peugeot RCZ is actually a pretty nice car. Normally we at DriveFacts are not that fond of French cars but this one is a gamechanger. The RCZ looks amazing and is pleasant to drive. However, it is not for sale in the United States. Peugeot decided to give up on North American countries and because of that, they didn’t bother making the car comply with US regulations. This meant that even if you wanted to get buy the car in the US, you couldn’t import it.
2. Volkswagen Scirocco
The big, quick brother of the Volkswagen Golf is massively popular in Europe and loved amongst car fanatics. However, Volkswagen decided not to sell it in the United States. They have several reasons for it:
- They’re afraid it would make the Golf GTI less popular
- They need to adjust it to US regulations
- Marketing the car would be too expensive
That’s why VW decided to stick to selling Golf GTI’s in the USA, instead of the even more sporty Scirocco.
1. Alfa Romeo Guilietta and MiTo
The Giulietta and MiTo are two great cars. However, Fiat Chrysler has declared they have no intentions to sell them in the United States. Alfa Romeo is not a big brand in the USA so marketing would probably be too expensive. They do sell the 4C however, which increases the popularity of Alfa Romeo in the US, so there might also be hope for the Giulietta and the MiTo.
