WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7,1989, PAGE 29 Suzuki Sidekick Page 31 New taxes Buyers may think twice before buying By Mike Johnston New federal and provincial taxes on new cars will not be "terribly detrimental" to new car sales but it may make people think twice before purchasng that new car, says General Motors spokesman Nick Hall. "Buying a car is an enotional experience. But with the new taxes a buyer may think several times before making that pur- chase " says Hall. Boti the federal and provincial government's recent budgets will cause an increase in new cars in one way or another, said Hall. For..instance, as of Thursday, June 1, the federal sales tax increased to 13.5 per cent from 12 percent. That, according to Hall, will increase the price of a new car by 9225. Other provincial increases in- cluding new taxes on tires, gas and licenses will further increase the cost of a new car. ."Every new car is going to be hit with a $5 tax on each new car. That automatically increases the cost of each new car at the retail level, by $25," said Hall. That new tax, added Hall, will provide the Ontario government with $6.7-million in new taxes on General Motors' cars alone. Another tax that will affect European cars more than GM cars, says Hall, is the new tax on fuel-inefficient cars. Effective July 1, on cars that rate 9.5 te 12 litres per 100 kilometers, the new tax adds $600 to the price of a car. Where the rating is 12.1 te 15, the tax is $1,200, for ratings from 15.1 u 18 the tax is $2,200 and the tax is $3,500 for ratings over 18. According to Hall, the only GM car affected is the Corvette with automatic transmission, which would be subject to the $600 tax. But he doesn't expect GM to suffer much since only 700 auto- matic Corvettes have been sold this year. A number of foreign cars, says Hall will be affected including the Honda, Acura Legend, 50 per cent of the Porches produced, nine of the 13 types of Mercedes Benz and some models of Volvos, Mazlas and BMWs. "Those companies that have gone for luxury and not fuel economy will be affected," said Hall. He doesn't expect the increase in license renewal fees (increas- ing to $90 from-$54 as of Decem- ber 1) and the increase in driver license (to $30 from $21 effective August 1) to affect sales. "Fees like that are inevitable. Who can tell if they are going to affect sales," said Hall. Sales for the big three car makers fell 19.4 per cent in March despite financing between 6.9 and 9.9 per cent. But Hall said sales picked up in April, spurred on mainly by the lowtfnancing rates. Hall admits, however, the low rates cost the carmakers money. "They are expensive. That comes out of our bottom line," he said. The Ontario government also increased gas by one cent a litre in May and will add another cent per tfre as of January 1, 1990. BRETT OSLER, 12, of Whitby was World Karting Association series in seventh in only his first race in the the U.S. vince Ohprecio-Free Pressphoto Fast startifor kart racer A 12-year-old Whitby kart racer finished seventh in his first race in the World Karting Asso- ciation (WKA) Northeastern Gold Cup Series Brett Osler, who started racing two years ago, had qualified ninth for the WKA race held in New York state. His seventh- place finish came against 20 other drivers, some who have bee-n competing for at least three years. The WKA series is held in such locations as Cuddyback, N.Y., Avon, N.Y., Batavia, N.Y., Barnsville, Georgia and Port Washington, Ohio. The grand nationals will be held in Rock- ingham, North Carolina in the fall. Osler also drove to a first-place finish in his very first race in the Can-Am series, held at tracks both north and south of the border. The Can-Am has a smal- ler number of entries than the WKA series, but also included more experienced drivers. Osler won the first heat and held off the rest of the pack in both the second and third heats. In 1987, his first year of kart racing, he won the novice divi- sion and in 1988, was named junior division rookie of the year. Whitby company drivers receive awards of valor ENJOYING the interior luxury of a Supervan Conversions salesman van during Van Week held recently Ron Gill, Bill Nurse and customer at Nurse Chev-Olds are (from left) Jerry Johnston. Vince Ohpreclo.Fre-e Prou. photo Two drivers for Can-Truck Transportation Ltd. of Whitby today (Wednesday) received Ontario Trucking Association awards of valor for their actions following an accident on Hwy 401 in March. Harold Larter of Courtice and Jake Buma of Janetville were honored by the Ontario Commit- tee for National Transportation Week (June 4-10) at a ceremony this morning in Toronto. On March 31, 1:40 a.m. Larter was driving a Can-Truck (divi- sion of Canada Transport Group) tractor-trailer westbound on Hwy 401 through Mississauga when a pick-up truck ahead of him swerved and hit an aban- doned van at the side of the highway. The pick-up bounced against the guardrail and rolled into the first lane in front of Larter. With his CB, Larter warned Buma who was driving another Can-Truck tractor-trailer. Larter then stopped and parked his tractor-trailer in such a way to protect the pick-up from any oncoming traffic. Buma called for an ambulance and police, and told his dispatch office of Can-Truck about the - accident. Buma then set 'p flares and directed traffic. Larter and another motor t who had stopped turned the r..l- led vehicle to an upright posi- tion. They then pulled the ac -i- dent victim, who was slump 'd under the dashboard on the p. 3- senger side, from the pick-up which was leaking gasoline. They placed the driver a safe distar -:e away. As more people stopped and offered blankets and coats to keep the accident victim warn, Larter checked the victire 's pulse, cleaned shattered gi sB away from his eyes and kept , m conscious and from going ilnto shock until ambulance att..en- dants arrived. Larter, 26, a Can-Truck employee for a year, has th:ree years safe driving experience. le races cars as a hobby. Buma, 40, a Can-Truck employee for one and a 1 alf years, was driver supervisor for four years for his previjus employer, Melchan Auto Trans- port & Canadian Auto Carriers. He has 18 years safe driving experience. Can-Truck is a member of the OntarioTLekingAocialion. Cruisin' Classics Page 30 AUTO, NEWS ...... ..... : WÎýlýly Mill