IF the enthusiastic crowd for last Sunday’s Jamaica Motor Show at the Police Officers Club was a yardstick, things may be looking up for the used-car industry this year.

Ian Lyn, principal of the newly-formed Car Max Jamaica dealership, was one of the organisers for the show which was promoted by the Jamaica Used-Car Association.

He told Auto that similar shows are scheduled for the first quarter of 2012 in Montego Bay, Mandeville and Portmore. According to Lyn, 10 major dealers including Crichton Automotive Ltd and Carland rolled out 20 vehicles each for the motor show, ranging from the high-end Porsche to more affordable Japanese brands like Hondas and Corollas.

He said dealers were encouraged by the turnout and response.

“People are mostly buying today. Dealers are reporting to me that they are selling an average of three cars,” Lyn said.

Lyn is immediate past president of the Jamaica Used-Car Association which represents 70 per cent of used-car businesses in the country. Its members have taken a beating from a demanding economy in the past five years.

In a recent interview with Auto, president of the Jamaica Used-Car Association, Lynvalle Hamilton said 11 used-car dealers closed their businesses in 2011.

But in November, then industry, investment and commerce minister Christopher Tufton announced that as of December 1, the age of used cars imported into Jamaica would be moved from three to five years. The age limit on light commercial units would be moved to six years.

The new policy means used-car dealers are now able to import 2007 brand cars. The cost, insurance and freight (CIF) on these vehicles are significantly less than older ones, which allows dealers to sell their stock under $1 million.

Lyn agrees with his colleagues that the government gesture may just be the lifeline their ailing industry needs to get a second wind.

“This (last Sunday’s show) is actually a celebration of the extra year we got from the outgoing minister because it has rejuvenated the industry,” he said.

The Jamaica Used-Car Association’s second motor show is scheduled for late

March in Montego Bay.

— Howard Campbell