Vehicle Duty Increased In 2014 Budget

[VVTi]

We can try all these and see of Osaka Dude agrees to stand in front of our cars. The Osaka can see first hand the results.

[Crosswind]

Correct me if I'm wrong I've heard wider tires are more prone to aquaplaning than smaller tires aren't they?

Shush!

Who are you to say those things ha? Are you a scholarship-developed country-world's highest ranking university engineer?

If not, you don't have enough knowledge to say things like that!

[Charith H Jayasinghe]

Shush!

Who are you to say those things ha? Are you a scholarship-developed country-world's highest ranking university engineer?

If not, you don't have enough knowledge to say things like that!

ROFL

[osaka_dude]

Correct me if I'm wrong I've heard wider tires are more prone to aquaplaning than smaller tires aren't they?

this article says otherwise,but aquaplaning apart,more area should give more grip with the same thread pattern,depth.but I am no tire-expert to judge.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/hydroplaning1.htm

We can try all these and see of Osaka Dude agrees to stand in front of our cars. The Osaka can see first hand the results.

first please fix some "Karaththa rooda" to your Subaru.since they are thinner,they should give you more grip.

then drive at a light post as fast as you can,because the faster you go,the shorter the braking distance.

please come back and tell us how safe you were thanks to these mods!

[iRage]

But wait....I thought tire width is just one factor of many others (pattern design (how well it conduits water out and depth, speed etc...) so saying a thin tire which has a normal decent pattern might do a better job in taking the water away from the wheel than a wide tire with a dab pattern or no depth in the pattern...and then a wider tire with a good pattern maybe better at transferring water away than a thin tire..bllooo..blahh..I got my eyes all crossed up now...

but then again from the same logic of the wheel size..those Kei cars should not be allowed on the highway (now I am all for that ! one of ,my biggest peeves about highway driving is those darn Kei cars that simply cannot move unless wind or gravity is blowing/throwing them along the highway)

[Hoonigan]

If you haven't noticed, they are talking about grip on the 'wet', cos that was what you said - cars not having grip on the wet due to skinny tyres. your argument was countered, why are you generalising grip on all road conditions?

It is OK to admit you got something wrong you know?

[GTAm]

My view is that a Maruti 800 (or similar) is very unsafe to run our Expressway. It may look unfair to exclude or discriminate low priced cars but it's a matter of safety. I have often seen Marutis veering across on the Expressways, sometimes encroaching the other lane and the drivers sometimes oblivious to this. It's visible that it's hard to keep the car planted. No doubt crosswinds and whether would affect this but I'm sure the design brief of a Maruti 800 or such never included cruising at 100km/h on expressways that are regularly prone to strong cross winds and heavy rain. Perhaps if the highways were wider, better surfaced and the limit was lower they might be safer for such cars.

I have been on Indian highways......and what can I say.....you would often struggle to figure out if it's a highway or a regular road. Most vehicles seem to be casually ambling along. In fact I distinctly recall in Delhi just AFTER we entered the Toll-way there were vehicles entering from the left side in the opposite direction and doing a U-Turn. Our driver suddenly slowed down on the highway to talk to the person in the next vehicle to ask for directions! That's how chaotic India is. Anything goes.

True what The Don says about our expressway discipline though. It's been mostly quite good whenever I've been on it. Such a contrast to driving on regular roads.

However as a whole the safety situation is pretty alarming. I'm sure most of us read the newspaper reports of last week. Where it was reported that 81 Sri Lankans died because of road accidents just during the Avurudu week. That's one hell of a number for just 10 days! Of course it's been a combination of many things. Including drunk driving despite 1800 drunk drivers being arrested!

Anyway getting back to topic...what we need is a minimum safety standard for vehicles imported and lower duties for them to be accessible. Won't happen though

[Rumesh88]

My view is that a Maruti 800 (or similar) is very unsafe to run our Expressway. It may look unfair to exclude or discriminate low priced cars but it's a matter of safety. I have often seen Marutis veering across on the Expressways, sometimes encroaching the other lane and the drivers sometimes oblivious to this. It's visible that it's hard to keep the car planted. No doubt crosswinds and whether would affect this but I'm sure the design brief of a Maruti 800 or such never included cruising at 100km/h on expressways that are regularly prone to strong cross winds and heavy rain. Perhaps if the highways were wider, better surfaced and the limit was lower they might be safer for such cars.

Anyway getting back to topic...what we need is a minimum safety standard for vehicles imported and lower duties for them to be accessible. Won't happen though

Marutis and similar cars are not supposed to run near 100km/h over a long distance. Speed limits can be set but it is the one who is at the wheel who should know the limits of his/her own vehicle. No amount of safety features is going to compensate for the stupidity of the driver (take the accident of a famous gem merchant's son a few years ago in a merc for example). Just because the speed limit is set at 100 does not mean that every one should run at that speed but then again at least a majority of vehicle on the expressway should do at 80k or above. I too wish if the E01 was wider.

[iRage]

Agreed with GTAm on Maruti's not being easy to keep planted but then the similar thing applies to non-Indian small cars as well. I've seen plenty of Kei cars in Japan just flying about due to crosswinds but the drivers kept buzzing through even when there were wind signals flags indicating the crosswind. Same can be said about Axios and Allions and the list goes on...at the end of the day the driver does need to be sensible (but then that is a whole different discussion on driver training)...

If standards for minimum safety, etc was to be established it would take off low budget cars off the streets which also implies a large part of the population would also be without a car. Which would also mean a loss of revenue for the government which would hurt the constant inflow of Prados and LCs which would...and.oh...googly eyes again....

[asrock]

any ideas how it is going to increase

This is probably just a rumour spread by the car sales guys to get rid of their piled up stocks.

[Hoonigan]

Importing aside, an alternative worth exploring would be to promote local assembly (at least) of better/safer cars. At least a portion of the production should be allowed to be sold to the public.

It all depends on how the taxes gets structured. If the top brass manage to entice a manistream manufacturer with enough tax brakes, the whole thing can create jobs, open another export and help a better/safer car match a cheaper one at price. This is going on the basis of providing a safer option to the general public as the primary objective of the government. Not squeeze as much money out of it as possible, to the point it makes no difference( I can hear you laugh)

If Micro is any indication, our leadership is far far away from anything of that sort

[asrock]

Government’s tax hike policy on vehicle imports pays dividends

By ######## Sirimanna

View(s):

The government’s policy of increasing taxes on the importation of vehicles from time to time has paid dividends last year as it brought revenue of Rs. 96.5 billion, Finance Ministry sources said.

This was an increase of 22.9 per cent comparing to excise duty revenue from vehicle imports in 2012, a senior official of the ministry revealed.

But motor traders said that the surge in vehicle imports was due to the import of luxury cars using duty free/duty slashed vehicle permits issued to politicians and senior government servants.

The government has also increased the customs duty payable for the importation of vehicles under duty slashed permits issued to senior public sector officials.

The duty payable for vehicle imports with cylinder capacity of 1000 cc and 1600 cc has been increased by 15 per cent while a 30 per cent duty hike has been imposed on luxury cars with cylinder capacities of 1600 cc, 2000 cc, 2600 cc and 25 per cent on over 2600 cc, respectively.

Tilak Gunasekera, President of the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association, who is also the CEO and Executive Director of Sathosa Motors Plc, told the Business Times that most of the super luxury vehicles imported under this permit scheme are Montero Sport, KIA/Hyundai SUV, BMW X 1, X 3, 520D and Audi A4 and A6.

Following the increase in CIF value of permits from the earlier $25,000 to $30,000 super luxury vehicles such as the Audi A6 and BMW X 5 also came under this category.

He revealed that an additional penal rate was imposed on permit holders when purchasing such super luxury vehicles.

Another reason for the revenue hike was the government’s action to remove the involvement of inland revenue department in handling transfer documents of duty free/ duty slashed vehicle permits, he said , adding that this procedure has been made easy for motor traders to get clearance from the department of motor traffic by paying a 10 percent levy.

These factors have contributed towards the increasing of vehicle import tax revenue last year although the motor traders suffered a loss in margins, Mr Gunasekera said.

He noted that the trend of importing vehicles using these permits will come to an end soon and the government will have to bring down taxes for the sustenance of the industry.

Most franchise dealers of brand new vehicles are depending on tax free and tax -slashed ‘permits’ given to politicians and state workers to keep sales up, he revealed.

But this will not last long he said adding that the importation of vehicles using this facility will also come down reducing the much needed revenue for the government.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140420/business-times/governments-tax-hike-policy-on-vehicle-imports-pays-dividends-92823.html

[osaka_dude]

If you haven't noticed, they are talking about grip on the 'wet', cos that was what you said - cars not having grip on the wet due to skinny tyres. your argument was countered, why are you generalising grip on all road conditions?

It is OK to admit you got something wrong you know?

I was talking about "wet" conditions,why do you guys mix it up with "aquaplaning" (to bash a "Newbie" like me),where there is a complete layer of water under the tyre.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hydroplaning.svg

let me explain very simply my understanding of wet conditions.But I am no expert about tire-grip.

if you consider the total area of the a tire touching the road as 100%

dry condition=0% of area is covered by water between tire surface and road

wet condition=0% ~99.999999.....% of area is covered by water between tire surface and road

Aquaplaning=100% of area is covered by water between tire surface and road according to the above wiki pic.

Thin tires may help when you drive in Colombo when the floods come every few years,or over a broken water-supply pipe but is it the normal day to day driving condition for you(unless you drive from muthurajawela swamp)?

My view is that a Maruti 800 (or similar) is very unsafe to run our Expressway. It may look unfair to exclude or discriminate low priced cars but it's a matter of safety. I have often seen Marutis veering across on the Expressways, sometimes encroaching the other lane and the drivers sometimes oblivious to this. It's visible that it's hard to keep the car planted. No doubt crosswinds and whether would affect this but I'm sure the design brief of a Maruti 800 or such never included cruising at 100km/h on expressways that are regularly prone to strong cross winds and heavy rain. Perhaps if the highways were wider, better surfaced and the limit was lower they might be safer for such cars.

I have been on Indian highways......and what can I say.....you would often struggle to figure out if it's a highway or a regular road. Most vehicles seem to be casually ambling along. In fact I distinctly recall in Delhi just AFTER we entered the Toll-way there were vehicles entering from the left side in the opposite direction and doing a U-Turn. Our driver suddenly slowed down on the highway to talk to the person in the next vehicle to ask for directions! That's how chaotic India is. Anything goes.

True what The Don says about our expressway discipline though. It's been mostly quite good whenever I've been on it. Such a contrast to driving on regular roads.

Anyway getting back to topic...what we need is a minimum safety standard for vehicles imported and lower duties for them to be accessible. Won't happen though

thanks for a good eye opening description about the Indian "Highways".

and totally agree about minimum safety standards,a Sri Lankan government version of EURO NCAP system perhaps.

Edited April 24, 2014 by osaka_dude

[MV-5]

This "genius idiot" is always trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.

[GTAm]

If the top brass manage to entice a manistream manufacturer with enough tax brakes, the whole thing can create jobs, open another export and help a better/safer car match a cheaper one at price.

If Micro is any indication, our leadership is far far away from anything of that sort

Tax breaks are only for Casinos haven't you heard

Micro have brought down Lambos for safe driving on the Expressways you know

But seriously I have been thinking of this for decades. However I feel we have now missed the bus. With most of the major manufacturers having rooted themselves in India we stand very little chance considering our tiny domestic market compared to India. Maybe before the Indian market was opened up....but that window is now long gone.

[Hoonigan]

Tax breaks are only for Casinos haven't you heard

Micro have brought down Lambos for safe driving on the Expressways you know

But seriously I have been thinking of this for decades. However I feel we have now missed the bus. With most of the major manufacturers having rooted themselves in India we stand very little chance considering our tiny domestic market compared to India. Maybe before the Indian market was opened up....but that window is now long gone.

Ha ha good one!

You are right, everyone from GM to VW have set up shop in India. Sadly, we as a country have missed out because of the peronal gain of a few.

[Komisiripala]

So 100% water between tyre and road is aqua planing. 99.99% water between tyre and road is not.

That's like saying I was 99.9999% in your wife. But we didn't do it. Well said o_j

Your logic and mathematics are a sight to see

[osaka_dude]

So 100% water between tyre and road is aqua planing. 99.99% water between tyre and road is not.

That's like saying I was 99.9999% in your wife. But we didn't do it. Well said o_j

no thats more like 100% of saliva between your tongue and Anu$,as shown in your profile pic!

you will notice that your tongue will move around more freely,the more saliva you drip from your stinky mouth.

The less saliva you have,the more friction your tongue will encounter on your anal hairs and cavities!

be careful,you may burn your tongue or Anu$ if you try too hard without saliva.

Edited April 24, 2014 by osaka_dude

[thara272]

any ideas regarding tax hikes

[asrock]

no thats more like 100% of saliva between your tongue and Anu$,as shown in your profile pic!

you will notice that your tongue will move around more freely,the more saliva your drip from your stinky mouth.

The less saliva you have,the more friction your tongue will encounter on your anal hairs and cavities!

be careful,you may burn your tongue or Anu$ if you try too hard without saliva.

This guy seems to have more experience in sex than with engineering

.

[Komisiripala]

no thats more like 100% of saliva between your tongue and Anu$,as shown in your profile pic!

you will notice that your tongue will move around more freely,the more saliva you drip from your stinky mouth.

The less saliva you have,the more friction your tongue will encounter on your anal hairs and cavities!

be careful,you may burn your tongue or Anu$ if you try too hard without saliva.

no. actually no, that's not the same thing. that's more like what i thought it was, metaphorically speaking. you're the one who defined aquaplaning as 100% saliva between anus and tongue. and any fraction less than 100% is NOT.

so are you going back on your original definition?

you're with me so far no? you follow what i'm trying to say? i'm very serious here. no joke.

also, eeya bung. tho maha kakki porak. eeya!

Edited April 24, 2014 by Komisiripala

[osaka_dude]

no. actually no, that's not the same thing. that's more like what i thought it was, metaphorically speaking. you're the one who defined aquaplaning as 100% saliva between anus and tongue. and any fraction less than 100% is NOT.

so are you going back on your original definition?

you're with me so far no? you follow what i'm trying to say? i'm very serious here. no joke.

also, eeya bung. tho maha kakki porak. eeya!

machan what I wanted to point out with the numbers is that Aquaplaning is a special(extreme) case of wet conditions,but not All wet conditions cause Aquaplaning.

But I am no expert on thread patterns and tyre width to decide when this starts to happen.

The idea that thinner tyres always give more grip under wet conditions seems absurd.

bigger surface should allow for more contact with the road. less contact with the road means less grip and less stability(handling).

Any Off-road experts here want to explain the difference better?

BTW I don't like the way this thread is going completely OT.

Edited April 24, 2014 by osaka_dude

[Hoonigan]

machan what I wanted to point out with the numbers is that Aquaplaning is a special(extreme) case of wet conditions,but not All wet conditions cause Aquaplaning.

But I am no expert on thread patterns and tyre width to decide when this starts to happen.

The idea that thinner tyres always give more grip under wet conditions seems absurd.

bigger surface should allow for more contact with the road. less contact with the road means less grip and less stability(handling).

Any Off-road experts here want to explain the difference better?

BTW I don't like the way this thread is going completely OT.

Off road tyres differ greatly depending on where they are used. Even if the width is the same, a Mud tyre would SUCK on sand fro example. This is achieved based on tread design and sidewall design. Also, the level of grip & contact patch is further dependent on the tyre pressure used for various terrains. So iRage was right to point out the multiple variables at hand (not just the width of the tyre).

I do agree that this aquaplaning thing is OT and will eventually end up with yet another locked thread.

But the real miracle here is you admitting you are not an expert on something

[iRage]

The idea that thinner tyres always give more grip under wet conditions seems absurd.

bigger surface should allow for more contact with the road. less contact with the road means less grip and less stability(handling).

and subsequently without a proper pattern to drive the water away a wider tires could also mean you have more water lodged under your wheel making you more likely to aquaplane....so the idea of a wide tire giving you more grip under wet conditions could also have an equal level of absurdity if you think of it as such because now you have a larger contact area that is now just playing slippery dippery...

so a lot of things come in to effect here and tire width is just one factor....

yes...it seems like every thread you contribute to quite humorously goes OT in a colossal manner. Like VVTi or someone suggested I see an AL award of a very special category in your future.

[VVTi]

You guys need anymore pork recipes or you are fine at the moment?

Some nice rabbit ones I can give.