Why Belarusians never buy right-hand drive cars
- September 21, 2022
- 0
The fraternal republic of Belarus is known for the frugality and prudence of its inhabitants – people here are accustomed to live “within their means” and choose a
The fraternal republic of Belarus is known for the frugality and prudence of its inhabitants – people here are accustomed to live “within their means” and choose a car that can perform their duties and not preserve the image of its owner. It is all the more surprising that you will not find reliable, practical and affordable “right-handed” cars on the local roads! However, there is an explanation for this. Details are on the AvtoVzglyad portal.
In an era of change, Russia always drives a right-hand drive car: this was the case in the early 1990s, when “marks”, “crosses” and other “laurels” formed the basis of the fleet of “foreign cars” ”; this happened in 2022, when JDM became the best offering in the secondary market.
However the rope twists, the handlebars are still there. This is explained not only by the price, which, with the fall of the yen and the growth of the ruble, reopened the port of Vladivostok to the entire automobile Russia, but also by the quality of those same cars for the domestic Japanese market.
They are really more reliable, stronger, more resourceful and better painted. Canals are being built, supplies are running smoothly and there are plenty of offers on spare parts and repairs. One question: why did the cautious and economic Belarusians, who were in the same economic enclave as the Russians, never switch to “right-hand drive”?
On the streets and roads of the republic you will find everything: old VW and brand new Porsche, vintage Citroën and modern Peugeot, buses and station wagons, sedans and crossovers. There is no there only t/s with the right wheel. No one. If there are any space shapes of the Asian fashion line anywhere, the numbers on them are Russian. Truly, the center of Europe, which only prefers European cars.
However, in addition to geography, there is a completely sober justification in this specificity: in Belarus, a right-hand drive car cannot be registered, nor can it be subjected to a mandatory technical inspection. As soon as the employee sees the “steering wheel in the glove box”, he immediately gives a turn from the gate, because in the local regulations, unlike the Russian one, there is a clear and specific cross on the entire JDM: the steering wheel is only on the left .
However, Belarusians would not be Belarusians if they did not find solutions to the current legislation: when they see an attractive car with right-hand drive, but at the same time a convenient layout and rich equipment, the question of the possibility to move the steering column to a legally defined place immediately follows.
Not all models can afford this, but some can: For example, the popular Honda Elision minibus was produced in left-hand drive equipment for the US market and therefore has all the technical capabilities for “re-equipment”. In addition to stamps and other “technical” elements, “Elisey” allows you to get such a necessary dashboard and other interior elements that contribute to the “change of shoes” of the car from right-hand drive to left-hand drive.
The same can be said about the Toyota Alphard, which was officially sold even in the Russian Federation. And such a car in Belarus can already not only be registered, but also pass a technical inspection. And you say: the customs union – everyone is equal …
Honda Elision left hand drive.
Photo car250.com
In an era of change, Russia always drives a right-hand drive car: this was the case in the early 1990s, when “marks”, “crosses” and other “laurels” formed the basis of the fleet of “foreign cars” ”; this happened in 2022, when JDM became the best offering in the secondary market.
However the rope twists, the handlebars are still there. This is explained not only by the price, which, with the fall of the yen and the growth of the ruble, reopened the port of Vladivostok to the entire automobile Russia, but also by the quality of those same cars for the domestic Japanese market.
They are really more reliable, stronger, more resourceful and better painted. Canals are being built, supplies are running smoothly and there are plenty of offers on spare parts and repairs. One question: why did the cautious and economic Belarusians, who were in the same economic enclave as the Russians, never switch to “right-hand drive”?
On the streets and roads of the republic you will find everything: old VW and brand new Porsche, vintage Citroën and modern Peugeot, buses and station wagons, sedans and crossovers. There is no there only t/s with the right wheel. No one. If there are any space shapes of the Asian fashion line anywhere, the numbers on them are Russian. Truly, the center of Europe, which only prefers European cars.
However, in addition to geography, there is a completely sober justification in this specificity: in Belarus, a right-hand drive car cannot be registered, nor can it be subjected to a mandatory technical inspection. As soon as the employee sees the “steering wheel in the glove box”, he immediately gives a turn from the gate, because in the local regulations, unlike the Russian one, there is a clear and specific cross on the entire JDM: the steering wheel is only on the left .
However, Belarusians would not be Belarusians if they did not find solutions to the current legislation: when they see an attractive car with right-hand drive, but at the same time a convenient layout and rich equipment, the question of the possibility to move the steering column to a legally defined place immediately follows.
Not all models can afford this, but some can: For example, the popular Honda Elision minibus was produced in left-hand drive equipment for the US market and therefore has all the technical capabilities for “re-equipment”. In addition to stamps and other “technical” elements, “Elisey” allows you to get such a necessary dashboard and other interior elements that contribute to the “change of shoes” of the car from right-hand drive to left-hand drive.
The same can be said about the Toyota Alphard, which was officially sold even in the Russian Federation. And such a car in Belarus can already not only be registered, but also pass a technical inspection. And you say: the customs union – everyone is equal …
Source: Avto Vzglyad
I’m Sandra Torres, a passionate journalist and content creator. My specialty lies in covering the latest gadgets, trends and tech news for Div Bracket. With over 5 years of experience as a professional writer, I have built up an impressive portfolio of published works that showcase my expertise in this field.
