Imported vehicles that are not officially sold in India but are seen on Indian roads often attract everyone’s attention. Their unique and rare presence makes them stand out. One such vehicle is the Ford F-150, which has gained popularity among private importers in India due to its majestic appearance and powerful towing capabilities. Recently, Mumbai Police pulled over one of the Ford F-150s plying on the Indian roads for document verification.
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In an Instagram reel uploaded by a netizen named Sagar Pawaskar, we can witness a black-colored Ford F-150 being stopped by the Mumbai Police patrolling team for document verification. The reel starts by showcasing the Ford F-150’s mammoth road presence as it rolls through the streets of Mumbai. However, it is later stopped by the Mumbai Police team for document checks.
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In the comments section of the reel, a person provides insight into the Ford F-150’s reality, based on an investigation using the vehicle’s registration number. According to the comment, the Ford F-150 stopped by the Mumbai Police was originally registered as an LGV (light goods vehicle) by the Jharkhand RTO, indicating that the import procedure was conducted legally. However, the comment also reveals that the fitness certificate of this F-150 had expired back in 2018 and hasn’t been renewed since then.
Additionally, the comment points out that being an LGV, the Ford F-150 should have had a yellow-colored license plate, but it was spotted with white-colored plates meant for private passenger vehicles. Clearly, the Ford F-150 was being used with discrepancies on the roads of Mumbai. The outcome of this situation remains unclear, as it is unknown whether the vehicle was impounded by the Mumbai Police or if it was let go after verification of documents or imposition of minor fines on the owner.
Imported cars in India
Many of you may have noticed Dubai registration plates on cars in India and wondered about their presence. Well, these cars are not registered in India.
A significant number of car enthusiasts who own homes abroad utilize the carnet facility to bring their vehicles to India. The majority of vehicles arriving via carnet come from the UAE. Even wealthy individuals like Gautam Singhania import their high-end exotics, such as the McLaren 720S and others, to India using this facility.
Under the carnet system, owners can only bring their vehicles to Indian soil for a limited duration, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. However, one can extend this validity by seeking approval from the authorities. Essentially, the carnet serves as a passport for cars and other expensive goods, enabling the transfer of vehicles between different countries.
There are several other cars temporarily residing in India under the carnet arrangement. Bringing a vehicle via carnet involves extensive paperwork and the payment of taxes, duties, and other charges as required by the country. The carnet document is issued by the country where the car is registered, and upon entry into India, the documents are thoroughly scrutinized by the authorities to ensure compliance with regulations.
The Ford F-150 holds a significant position in North America, being one of the highest-selling vehicles with a rich history spanning decades. The specific Ford F-150 model shown in the video is the thirteenth-generation version, sold between 2015 and 2020. Globally, this version was available with various engine options, including 3.3-litre V6 petrol, 3.5-litre V6 petrol, 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol, 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol, 5.0-litre V8 petrol, and 3.0-litre V6 diesel. Although the Ford F-150 was never officially sold in India, many private owners have imported this vehicle into the country from overseas markets.
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