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hoyafb95

Aug 22, 2005, 1:47 PM

Post #1 of 45 (2595 views)

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FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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http://estadis.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/300804.html

Not sure if anyone posted this before, but I noticed this in online in El Universal newspaper of Mexico City and it discusses a sort of amnesty for certain cars considered chocolates in Mexico. Granted, does not apply to most of us but it may allow a wider nationalization than previously allowed. It goes into effect tomorrow.

hoyafb95

Aug 22, 2005, 2:16 PM

Post #2 of 45 (2565 views)

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Re: [hoyafb95] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Take a look in today's news on our site as there are some stories in English about this.

esperanza

Aug 22, 2005, 4:45 PM

Post #3 of 45 (2539 views)

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Re: [hoyafb95] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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This is a really good thing.

I'm laughing, because it wasn't too long ago that I posted (emphatically) that President Fox was adamantly opposed to further legalization of vehicles with USA/Canada plates. He'd been quoted by the media: "No more legalization during my term of office."

Never say never, not even if you're President.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

julian3345

Aug 23, 2005, 2:48 PM

Post #4 of 45 (2427 views)

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Re: [hoyafb95] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Maybe I missed it in the Spanish and English newspaper articles I read, but is there any information about how long this amnesty will last? Would the local Transito office be the place to start the licensing of a chocolate for Mexican people living in MX and driving these cars? Thanks for any info. Joan

bournemouth

Aug 23, 2005, 2:53 PM

Post #5 of 45 (2423 views)

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Re: [julian3345] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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According to El Informador, it will last for six months.

Marta R

Aug 23, 2005, 4:22 PM

Post #6 of 45 (2399 views)

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Re: [esperanza] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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... and they are called chocolates because...?

Marta

Rolly

Aug 23, 2005, 5:18 PM

Post #7 of 45 (2388 views)

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Re: [Marta Randall] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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and they are called chocolates because...? they are oh so sweet!

Really

Rolly Pirate

julian3345

Aug 23, 2005, 6:54 PM

Post #8 of 45 (2365 views)

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Re: [Marta Randall] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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LA Times article says these cars are called chocolates because "... buyers don't know what they are getting until they try them." (LA Times 23 August 05 Martha Dickerson and Sam Enriquez)

Marlene

Aug 23, 2005, 7:23 PM

Post #9 of 45 (2352 views)

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Re: [julian3345] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Actually, it is what we call the many illegal cars here in Mexico. This story explains a bit about it.

http://www.banderasnews.com/0507/nr-carimports.htm

ignacio

Aug 24, 2005, 11:50 AM

Post #10 of 45 (2282 views)

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Re: [Marlene] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Seem like a very fair free trade to me.....

Cheaper labor force (indocumentados) for USA in exchange for cheaper automobiles (chocolates) for Mexico.

julian3345

Aug 24, 2005, 2:29 PM

Post #11 of 45 (2253 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Thanks for that information, but I think it only will last until 31 December unless there is an extension at that time. I had a very interesting chat with the Jefe of our local Transito office in Jerez this morning. He did not have any written material about the new policy re:legalization of chocolates, but I showed him an article (I had accessed on Mexconnect) from El Universal and he told me it was correct. He informed me that no police agency will be giving tickets or otherwise hassling drivers of chocolates using the highways from now until 31 December. Also, until the office of Aduana/Hacienda (not sure which) is up and running at La Calera Airport in Zacatecas (en quince dias, of course), people from this area wishing to legalize their cars will have to go to Aguascalientes. Joan

Bubba

Aug 24, 2005, 5:21 PM

Post #12 of 45 (2228 views)

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Re: [hoyafb95] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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This amnesty is really good news for me and my 1995 Ford Ranger which I almost went to Laredo to legalize in June. These older pickup trucks are worth a hell of a lot more money down here than in the states. Not that I would ever sell the thing.

Frank DK

Aug 24, 2005, 8:14 PM

Post #13 of 45 (2198 views)

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Re: [Bubba] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Does anyone know if this amnesty includes cars from 1999? In my case I imported temporarily my car as a tourist -- after 6 months I got my FM2, but was told that only FM rentistas could prolong their temporary import permit. Since I have just been driving it with the occassional hazzle from police. Would love to legalize, but dunno if this new amnesty would provide a break? Anyone with hard info?
Frank

Don

Aug 24, 2005, 8:28 PM

Post #14 of 45 (2195 views)

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Re: [Frank DK] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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I believe cars must be at least 10 years old.

See news story below:

http://www.chron.com/...mpl/business/3320295

jerezano

Aug 24, 2005, 8:31 PM

Post #15 of 45 (2192 views)

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Re: [Don] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Hello,

Nothing younger than 1995 permitted.

Adios. jerezano.

Rolly

Aug 25, 2005, 8:16 AM

Post #16 of 45 (2138 views)

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Re: [Frank DK] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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"...was told that only FM rentistas could prolong their temporary import permit."

Frank, you were misinformed. Your car permit is still valid. Read the law here: http://rollybrook.com/article_106.htm

You should also understand that the local police have no authority over the car registration. That is a federal matter. If the locals are bothering you about it, it's because they want a bribe.

Rolly Pirate

hoyafb95

Aug 25, 2005, 9:57 AM

Post #17 of 45 (2116 views)

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Re: [Rolly] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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This is so true Rolly.

One thing that does happen to some of my friends now in D.F. (I may have mentioned this before) is that they get pulled over for a document check and cop sees permit expired...says it is a multa Friends say...no way...you have no authority...and show Article 106.

Cop gets upset and then changes story to an illegal turn or other traffic thing and wants bribe. Several friends got stiffed for over 1,000 pesos. They reported the story to the relevant police...nothing...even with name and badge number.

No-win situation.

You literally would have to a have a hidden video camera to record the incident to have proof otherwise.

gpk

Aug 25, 2005, 11:23 AM

Post #18 of 45 (2100 views)

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Re: [hoyafb95] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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"Cop gets upset and then changes story to an illegal turn or other traffic thing and wants bribe. Several friends got stiffed for over 1,000 pesos. They reported the story to the relevant police...nothing...even with name and badge number."

I don't know what area you are talking about, but I have never heard of this happening to any gringos in the state of Guanajuato--maybe now they will write. None of my friends or acquaintances have had any problem with bribes by cops here. I have been stopped only once--for not having the correct "verification" (emissions sticker)--and I was let go with a warning. Are the police really different here?

hoyafb95

Aug 26, 2005, 8:57 AM

Post #19 of 45 (2044 views)

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Re: [gpk] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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D.F.

Been up to Guanajuato plenty of times to visit friend...never hear of any problems from them with police. However, when you live in one of the world's largest cities...the chances certainly increase.

I cannot believe you have emissions in Guanajuato.

(This post was edited by hoyafb95 on Aug 26, 2005, 8:58 AM)

gpk

Aug 27, 2005, 8:31 AM

Post #20 of 45 (1989 views)

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Re: [hoyafb95] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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We have to have emissions tests twice a year in Guanajuato and the police set up checkpoints to find violators. The test is even required of US plated cars, but I am not sure the foreign population here is aware of this. The test dates are determined by the last number of your license plate.

hoyafb95

Aug 27, 2005, 9:32 AM

Post #21 of 45 (1980 views)

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Re: [gpk] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Even though I live in Mexico City and emissions test are required for those living in D.F./Estado de Mexico, no foreigner is obligated to do the test.

I was talking with someone else the other day that even if we were, how would they know you were not a tourist and even more so, how would they know you are not from another part of the country.

How do they inform you that you are required to test and who do the police verify it. For instance, what if I went through one of those checkpoints, FM3 but from D.F.?

Frank DK

Aug 27, 2005, 10:53 AM

Post #22 of 45 (1964 views)

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Re: [Rolly] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Hey,

Thanks for the answer. However, when I contacted the authorities to have my temporary import permit extended (the sticker) they told me that only FM2 rentistas can extend their import permit. If you have a FM2 inmigrante cargo de confianza (that is: a work permit) you cannot extend the temp import permit. They even told me that I risked a fine of 3X the value of the car and 3 years in prison for contraband, uhh, not nice.

The excerpts from Article 106 does not seem to specify the distinction between FM 2 rentista and FM 2 Cargo de confianza.

Confused?

Comments anyone?
Frank

Frank DK

Aug 27, 2005, 10:59 AM

Post #23 of 45 (1962 views)

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Re: [Rolly] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Actually, a close reading of Fraccion IV does specify that only inmigrantes rentistas can have their cars in Mexico for the duration of their legal stay.
Frank

Bubba

Aug 27, 2005, 11:28 AM

Post #24 of 45 (1956 views)

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Re: [hoyafb95] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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Well, foreigners are required to do the emissions testing if they own a Mexican plated automobile vs. a "tourist" vehicle. When we had our 20,000 kilometer service performed at the dealership where we bought the car in Guadalajara, they did this automatically and issued us a Jalisco State Certificado De Emision De Gases Para Vehiculos Que Utilizan. You must affix a compliance sticker on your rear window.

It's ironic since there is no such requirement to the best our our knowledge that our beat up old pickup truck with California plates have emissions testing done.

We didn't even know about the emissions testing requirement. Thank God the dealer took care of us.

Bubba

Aug 27, 2005, 11:38 AM

Post #25 of 45 (1953 views)

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Re: [gpk] FYI: Coches Chocolates and nationalization

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By the way, Jalisco requires emissions testing only once a year for "Vehiculos de Uso Domestico" Twice a year testing is a requirement only for "Vehiculos de Uso Intensivo", presumably commercial vehicles. And you are, indeed, required to have this testing done in the month designated for the last number on your license plates.

Why wouldn't this testing apply to all vehicles in the country for foreign residents as well as locals. Some day the Mexican government is going to catch on to this exception.

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