It might surprise enthusiasts to learn that while many automotive manufacturers readily assist US customers looking to export vehicles by providing necessary compliance or warranty documents, BMW North America (BMW NA) operates differently. Specifically for those interested in importing Bmw Bikes from the US to Canada, a significant hurdle exists, and it points towards potential price fixing strategies.
Despite BMW bikes built for the US market exceeding Canadian emission standards, BMW NA has a policy preventing US dealers from issuing the crucial export documentation needed for Canadian import. This isn’t due to regulatory differences in vehicle specifications. Instead, this policy appears to be a tactic to maintain higher price points for BMW bikes in Canada. Canadians often face prices 15-20% higher for both new and used bikes compared to their US counterparts. This price disparity extends to parts and services, creating a significant cost difference across the border.
The only workaround currently known involves navigating BMW’s restrictive policy. Canadian BMW dealers can technically generate a warranty recall letter, but at an exorbitant CDN$500 fee for what is essentially a system query and print function. Conversely, US dealers attempting the same are explicitly warned against providing these documents to consumers, under threat of BMW penalties. This situation raises serious questions about free trade and fair pricing, suggesting that BMW NA’s policies are less about regulatory compliance and more about controlling market prices to the detriment of Canadian consumers seeking to import BMW bikes.
