Samoa’s car hire firms concerned about driving change

Car owners in

Samoa will soon find themselves driving right-hand vehicles, as part of a proposed modification to the country’s traffic rules. This, however, is said to be worrying not only drivers, but also car hire companies, as they may soon have to replace their entire fleet of cars, in order to fit the new requirements. Left-hand drive cars are likely to lose much of their value, as the market becomes flooded with vehicles that drivers wish to sell, ahead of the proposed change. The president of the country’s Rental Car Association has already come public with these concerns and is urging lawmakers to reconsider their decision, in light of the anticipated economic impact.

Despite these efforts, it now looks increasingly certain that the change will come into effect, as

Samoa’s Transport Control Board has already looked into tabling laws that would regulate how companies and individuals can import right-hand drive cars into the country. The first of these new vehicles are expected to arrive as early as February. Roy Lee, the owner of Discovery Rentals, told journalists that it will cost his firm upwards of $1.3 million to replace all left-hand drive vehicles in his company’s fleet. The real problem for Lee, however, is that he has a relatively new fleet, with the average age of a car being only about one year old. Yet when he tries to sell his vehicles, the company will probably get very little for them, as most people will also be looking to purchase cars that comply with the new regulations.

www.discovery-rentals.com