00:00purchasing a new hybrid vehicle in trinidad and tobago has become significantly more expensive
00:07that's after the customs and excise division issued general order number 24 of 2026 reclassifying
00:15several so-called smart hybrid vehicles under a different tariff heading the ruling states that
00:21the affected vehicles are equipped with a smart mild hybrid vehicle system where the electric
00:28motor does not function as a motor for propulsion as a result those vehicles will no longer benefit
00:34from the tax concessions previously applied to qualifying hybrid vehicles among the vehicles
00:40specifically identified are the suzuki francs gran vitara swift urtiga and xl7 along with toyota
00:49urban cruiser taser the ruling took immediate effect on july 22nd dealers say the impact will be felt
00:56almost immediately by consumers njm enterprises says on facebook the additional taxes will increase
01:03retail prices across tnt making fuel efficient vehicles less affordable at a time when many
01:10families are already struggling with the rising cost of living the company says while the decision is
01:15beyond its control it remains committed to transparent pricing and helping customers find the best value
01:22however it cautioned that the listed vehicles may not be the only ones affected noting that other makes
01:29and models falling within the same customs classification could also face higher taxes importers are also
01:36expressing frustration row row importers say customs has effectively changed the rules overnight despite
01:44allowing the importation and clearance of mild hybrid vehicles under the previous interpretation for the past two
01:51years they argue that businesses have already invested millions of dollars in vehicles that are either
01:57sitting on the port or currently in transit importers are now calling for an immediate grace period saying
02:04they did not budget for the additional duties and they warn that the extra costs will ultimately be
02:10passed on to consumers roro also questions the legal authority for the move pointing out that parliament has not
02:17amended the legislation governing hybrid vehicle tax concessions the trinidad and tobago automotive dealers
02:24association shares those concerns vice president ron del field says the industry was never consulted before the
02:31ruling was issued we we are totally surprised that after all these years of having a cordial relationship with um
02:39customs and excise division that i mean we were surprised that the controller of customs didn't reach out to us
02:46to meet on this issue and
02:47have a conversation particularly knowing you know the the ramifications of uh of such a pronouncement as this
02:57field says the decision affects far more than dealerships he says personal importers who have already
03:03sourced financing and purchased vehicles overseas are now being told they must find thousands of additional
03:10dollars to clear those vehicles from the port the association also disputes customs's interpretation that
03:16mild hybrid systems do not propel the vehicle fields argues that under the current legislation the
03:23on-board rechargeable energy system only has to contribute to propulsion not serve as the primary
03:30source of power the association believes any change to which vehicles qualify for concession should come
03:36through amendments to the law not through an administrative interpretation letters he said have already been sent to
03:44both the finance minister and the controller of customs requesting urgent discussions the industry is now urging
03:50the government to suspend implementation of the ruling or introduce a transition period to protect businesses
03:56and consumers with vehicles already purchased or shipped before the change took effect until then dealers
04:04warn prospective buyers should expect higher prices on a growing number of hybrid vehicles entering the local market
04:10market when contacted for comment finance minister davindranath tanku under whose ministry the customs and excise division
04:17falls says he was awaiting a full informative report on the matter before he can comment further or vishy to
04:25worry rupon ryan tv6 news
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