LHD L400 Delica's in Laos

[stever1000]

I spent a few weeks in Laos (east of Thailand) this year and noticed many LHD L400 delicas. Has anyone ever heard of someone importing a LHD delica from this area? It seems even if they are abused it would still be worth the money to have the LHD set up.

I searched google and came up with nothing. Why aren't the LHD Delicas more common?

[del400]

Why would you want to have a left hand drive?

Alex

[nxski]

The LHD countries put a lot more wear on their vehicles and the glass isn't DOT approved. This means that, in general, you'll pay quite a bit more for a vehicle that's in much worse condition.

What's fueling your desire for LHD?

[konadog]

Why would you want to have a left hand drive?

Alex

X2.

[robbieg]

I'd be interested in a LHD Deli, personally!

Why they're all RHD in Canada...
1. Japan has AWESOME export infrastructure
2. They tend to baby their vehicles (largely due to Sha-ken)
3. They're old vehicles sell really cheap.
4. We think RHD is cool. If you're going to be different, might as well pull out all the stops!

[FalcoColumbarius]

I'd be interested in a LHD Deli, personally!

Why they're all RHD in Canada...
1. Japan has AWESOME export infrastructure
2. They tend to baby their vehicles (largely due to Sha-ken)
3. They're old vehicles sell really cheap.
4. We think RHD is cool. If you're going to be different, might as well pull out all the stops!

Hear, hear! It`s your right to fight for the right to be right, on the right. Even if you're a Grit.

Falco.

[Yokohama]

I had a LHD sports car, and LHD is incredibly inconvenient; Toll booths, drive though windows, parking, etc. are all a pain in a LHD area.
Yes, they are cool and fun to drive because it is so different, and if that was the only way to get a car was RHD then I would do it, but otherwise maybe not. I am just not hung up on RHD.

[BCDelica]

I spent a few weeks in Laos (east of Thailand) this year and noticed many LHD L400 delicas. Has anyone ever heard of someone importing a LHD delica from this area? It seems even if they are abused it would still be worth the money to have the LHD set up.

I searched google and came up with nothing. Why aren't the LHD Delicas more common?

Like most small Communist states, it is easier to bring a vehicle into Laos than bring a vehicle out (permanently, travel with a vehicle is easy over the neighboring non-socialist countries borders). It is a mite surprising how many more new luxury cars you see on Laos roads, even 12 years ago on my first visit there was far less . Not to over generalize, but many vehicles would be poorly mentioned and of course there is no required maintenance levels such as Japan. Mileage will likely not be overly high, unless the L400/Starex was used as a work or tourist vehicle.

Interestingly many high end, used luxury vehicles, everything from the exotics to GMC Hummers, are marshaled through northern Laos on route to China, purchased from other countries including Japan.

Cheers,
Kev (seriously missing motorcycling touring in Laos)