Mass exodus of cars from Canada

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Feb. 13- Canadian vehicle remarketing has reached a new milestone. A record number of motor vehicles were exported from Canada to the United States last year by leasing and rental companies and independent dealers. 200,074 Canadian exports went through the Registered Importer program in 2001, surpassing 200,000 units for the first time.

Canadian exports are way up from the mid-1990s, when 15,000 units was considered a good year for the industry. Brian Osler, President of the North American Automobile Trade Association (NAATA), attributes several factors to the skyrocketing volume. "Many barriers to export have been eliminated. U.S. Customs has finally accepted that non-manufacturers can import Canadian vehicles without duties. Canadian market vehicles now have a permanent blanket safety and emissions approval in the United States. There is also a greater familiarity with Canadian vehicles in important American markets. Combined with the low Canadian dollar, the market is flourishing."

NAATA expects that economic and industry conditions will continue to encourage American dealers to source cars in Canada. Impending regulatory changes will also make it less expensive for Canadian remarketers to go through the importation process across the border.

	    Year    Exports For Resale
	    --------------------------
	    2001          200,074
	    2000          181,432
	    1999          151,842
	    1998           76,092
	    1997           23,745
	    1996           16,766
	    1995           14,052
	    1994           15,840