I hate to start another topic, but I feel it needs a new title. Ok so I have an '03 Trailblazer which turns out to be an export model, the vehicle is left-hand drive and and has a 17 digit vin. To my understanding all of the Trailblazers were made in the same factory? I wanted to get documentation from GM stating that the vehicle meets EPA and NHTSA standards so that I can be shipped back into the U.S. GM customer care refuses to help me, they won't even tell me if the vehicle does or does not meet the standards. I'm also quite sure they are pulling my IP address because they keep telling me to contact a dealer in my country without me even telling my location. I would assume this truck which is made in the same factory with every other TB would meet EPA and NHTSA standards regardless of it was exported. Unless I'm mistaken but aren't all of the bodies and engines the same? I asked for a MCO/MSO and say it's not available to customers. Does anyone here work for GM who could possibly help? Or know anyone personally who does? At this point I will lose alot of money on this truck and fact that GM won't help I will never buy anything GM again. All I would simply need is for GM to say in a letter that the truck was built in the U.S. and meets EPA and NHTSA standards but they won't even look to find out. I was even wondering if a regular dealer could look into it and verify and then type a letter. It just needs a GM letterhead.
Anyone here work for GM or know someone who does?
- Thread starter KilluminatiDre
- Start date
carshinebob
Member
- Jun 13, 2014
- 153
I just looked and I have that sticker, only difference is that text above the vin is just a bunch of "x's" instead. I also have the sticker showing it was made at the Moraine, OH plant.
Mooseman
Moderator
When we import a vehicle into Canada, we have to provide a letter from the manufacturer that there are no outstanding recalls. Would that work? I would think that they have to provide that. Maybe a dealer in Japan could even do that
Probably easier to buy a used airbox that has the EPA sticker on it but it would have to be from the same year because there is usually the model year printed on it. There isn't a VIN on that one.
Probably easier to buy a used airbox that has the EPA sticker on it but it would have to be from the same year because there is usually the model year printed on it. There isn't a VIN on that one.
C-ya
Member
- Aug 24, 2012
- 1,098
K-dre, pm me your vin. I have a buddy that is the parts manager at a Chevy dealer in the Chitown burbs that may be able/willing to help.
Mooseman
Moderator
I don't have the sticker on mine, peeled off a long time ago. I sure would that either of those barcodes are not the VIN.
djthumper
Administrator
Thanks, I got it bookmarked now. Might have to go this route.Kyle said:
Something like this may work if it says the vehicle origin as the U.S. do you know what the letter is called by chance? I'm in a very remote part of Japan, no Chevy dealers here, I tried emailing Chevy of Japan but no reply of course.Mooseman said:
Other than the 25 year rule for non USDM vehicles, TMO here doesn't have any info.djthumper said:
Mooseman
Moderator
Nix my idea. What I said was for US vehicles imported into Canada. Found this at Transport Canada's website:
Probably the reason why they also make it so hard to import one back into North America. It's actually tougher, if not impossible, for us.
meerschm
Member
- Aug 26, 2012
- 1,079
why would you think that a vehicle made for export would meet us regulations, instead of those in place for the intended market?
My advice would be to sell the car where it is, and buy a US spec car or truck.
My advice would be to sell the car where it is, and buy a US spec car or truck.
I didn't know it was an export model when I bought it. Had this truck been RHD and had the proper vin for this country I would not have bought it. I was even able to pull a carfax on it. The vehicles here are right hand drive and have have 10 digit vins. Usually the export models for this country are right hand drive. Every other Chevy, Ford, BMW, Jeep export model is right hand drive. The TB is the only vehicle where Chevy kept it left hand drive but exported here, so it is possible for it to meet U.S. standards. It looks identical to the U.S. model. The only thing they care about is the engine which uses the same 4.2 and the U.S. model and the crash test data which is probably the same since the body is still left hand drive like the U.S. model. I will have to try but selling isn't as easy you would think. Also Japan's emissions are more strict than the U.S. so I'm pretty sure if the engine meets Japan's standards then it meets EPA. The fact that GM won't say if it does or does not is what's really irritating, they built the truck, it's not like I'm asking for engineering secrets. The way I see it is just because it may meet japan's standards doesn't mean it can't meet U.S. standards as well. Also I have a friend who owns a dealer here and he says it was truly made for Japan then it would be RHD.
C-ya
Member
- Aug 24, 2012
- 1,098
K-dre, my buddy is looking into it. He is not sure what he can do, but he was willing to check. As soon as I hear anything, I'll let you know.
Hate to say it , but. vehicles manufactured in the US for export may not meet US federal standards. Things like emissions equipment, (engine tune/ readiness indications/ DTC monitoring) , lighting/turn/brake signals, safety (air bags/belts/etc), doors and window standards, etc. For that reason they do not have the federal approved label and can not be imported. You may be pushing a rock uphill to make this happen..
Mooseman
Moderator
Hopefully he checks in sometime. He hasn't logged on since Aug. 19 and our email system is still down.
Edit: Because I think this is time sensitive, I sent him an email about this reply.
Edit: Because I think this is time sensitive, I sent him an email about this reply.