Algy Martin has discovered a niche trade. He's the only one of 30,000 or so British citizens on Cyprus engaged in the re-export of Japanese used cars to the United Kingdom. That's an enviable business to be engaged in, too.

The British Independent Motor Trade Association estimates that some 35,000-40,000 used Japanese cars entered the British market in 2002, and that the figure is already growing in 2003.

BIMTA said its estimates were supported by figures from Japan showing a 45 per cent increase in imports in 1Q 2003 over the same period in 2002. That comes to more than 14,500 cars and a steep rise over the 10,000 which entered in 1Q 2002.

Algy Martin is part of that increasing trade. Based in Limassol, 'Algys Autos Ltd' sources used Japanese cars and brings them to Cyprus for tests and any necessary work before sending them on to customers in the UK market.

He operates a showroom on the Internet, letting potential customers see what he has on offer but also offering to undertake special searches to find specific types of cars requested by customers.

"Simply look through the cars, take a note of the details and then consider whether you wish to have the car 'On the Road' or through the 'Import Scheme'," he tells potential customers. "Then contact us via the e-mail link on this page and leave the rest to us."

"It all takes a lot of trust," Algy explains. "I get lots of enquiries from potential customers by email, and explain anything they need to know. Once things are underway, I keep them posted all along the line."

Once he has an order from the UK, Algy works with a host of other professionals in the car trade up and down the line, from Japan to Cyprus to the UK.

"I work very closely with my supplier in Japan," he says. "Babar Ismail is the CEO, and he knows my market very well. He knows what I need, and he gets it for me. Not just the right car, but the right condition."

Babar Ismail sources cars at auction houses in Japan, where turn-over is high and prices are low due to limited space for cars. Strict government regulations also have shaped the domestic market to toward the purchase of new models.

In the absence of a domestic used car market in Japan, there is a rapid depreciation in prices. But that suits other parts of the world, and especially traders in the so-called 'gray market' of used Japanese cars

While Algy does not take part in the Cyprus's domestic trade, the country none the less does form an essential backdrop to his own re-export business. For a start, Cyprus is a main destination for used Japanese cars, giving Algy leverage with shippers.

"I use Yuwa," Algy says, adding that they give him even better rates for an exclusive contract. Nagoya-based Yuwa Shipping Co. Ltd. was established in 1981 as an independent carrier specialising primarily in the transport of both new and used vehicles from Japan.

Yuwa now operates regularly scheduled services to South Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and the Far East.

Its European run calls at Nagoya, Yokohama, Sakai, Limassol, Larnaca, Dublin, Liverpool, Southampton, Tilbury, Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Gothenburg, and Rotterdam. The run from Japan to Cyprus normally takes about 24 days, while the onward voyage from Cyprus to the UK ports takes 7-10 days.

"I normally have about two weeks' time between the arrival of one Yuwa ship and the departure of the next," Algy says. "That's when I take care of all the things needed before my cars go on to the UK on the next ship."

Completing the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test is perhaps Algy's most important task during a car's two-week stay in Cyprus, and he is fortunate to have the only UK-approved SVA Test Center outside of the British Isles.

Inspections are carried out by qualified personnel from the UK's Ministry of Transport, and the Cyprus SVA center is fully compliant with all UK requirements.

Unlike the UK's MOT, the SVA examination is not primarily concerned with vehicle condition. It is a pre-registration inspection for cars and light goods vehicles that have not been type-approved to British or European standards.

The main purpose of the scheme is to ensure that cars and light goods vehicles have been designed and constructed to acceptable safety and environmental standards before they can be used on public roads.

"SVA checks that vehicles constructed for non European Union markets comply with British law," Algy says, adding that it is a pre-requisite for getting the car registered, licensed and insured in the UK.

In addition to the SVA test, Algy also insures that each of the cars he sells has been thoroughly checked over. If there is a need for any work - whether mechanical or just cosmetic - Algy uses the services of a local garage to undertake the repairs.

"I can do all of this here in Cyprus where the standards are incredibly high," he says, adding that the cost of repair work is much lower by far than comparable work in the UK. As a result, he says, "I can pass on considerable savings to my customers."

Once Algy's cars are back on the next Yuwa ship and on their way to the UK, customers have a choice of delivery methods - either going to the port themselves to collect the car or having it delivered to their door.

"Either way they are going to save money by using my services," he says, "but they'll save about £1,000 in taking delivery themselves. To make it even easier, I ensure that they have all the right paperwork to sail right through the process."

Algys Autos are primarily dedicated to the importation of Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota hi lux Surf, Mazda Bongo ( Ford Freda ), Toyota Estima, Toyota Granvia, Nissan Figaro, Nissan Pao and Nissan Escargo ( Nissan S Cargo ).


ON THE WEB:

www.algysautos.com

www.figs4u.co.uk