SUBARU and Isuzu importer International Motors Group could launch its own grey imports operation in a bid to take on the unofficial importers. The firm has thrown down the gauntlet to the Government, demanding that grey imports are subject to the same emissions and safety tests as official imports to 'level the playing field', or it will be forced to act. Grey imports are vehicles which are brought into the UK, but were not originally intended for sale in the EU and by-pass the appointed 'official' import and distribution network.

They have to pass a Single Vehicle Approval test, which is less stringent that the Whole Vehicle Type Approval test imposed on official imports. Companies such as IMG say the situation is unfair and it is worried that the situation could deteriorate further next year with the abandoning of restrictions on the number of grey imports which could be brought into the country.

A spokesman for IMG said: 'If the Government does not give us a level playing field, we will have to act and that could involve us bringing in our own grey imports. It is unfair that we go to all the effort of meeting strict emissions and safety requirement while grey importers can simply bypass this.'