Weird Suzuki GV licensing

[~KB~]

I have been hoping and trying to buy a used 2WD 2000cc Suzuki Grand Vitara for about 4 months with no luck. Every time I find one that I "absolutely must have" and just about to seal the deal, I am told that there is some sort of bizarre "company car/business only/truck sort of licensing" available on it and it can't be switched to a so called "regular" licensing. And I just can't figure it out and wonder what all this fishiness is all about. It's happened thrice. Twice by private owners and once buy a notable used car dealership. And each time I was told that there's nothing to worry about. HA! And that licensing it this way will save me between 7 and 8 grand..double HA!!!! I just have to get two people to sign a document saying that my car is for business use only (which it is 100% not). So I pretty much have to ask some friends/coworkers to straight up lie on my behalf. And I was also told that I couldn't have more that two people, myself included in the vehicle at a time. And also, that if I get stopped by police...that they'll "let it slide" or "not even check", so that there is absolutely nothing to worry about and I should just but the GV already.

So, what is the real deal here?
Are all 2WD 2000cc Suzuki Grand Vitaras licensed in this way?
Will I ever find the GV for me?

Please help..I want my ride!!!

[edlithgow]

I was trying to buy a truck (as in Little Blue Truck) but have been told I can't register one in my name unless I have a business. Not sure whether this is (a) true, (b) true for everyone or (c) just true for foreigners. Its been discussed on Forumosa a bit.

[jamie]

If a vehicle has been registered as commercial it is possible to have the license changed to private use. I have had two customers recently who have purchased former commercial vehicles. In both cases the dealers have managed to cancel the commercial license and re-apply for a normal private license. The re-application procedure will require a new license plate.
EDIT:

Firstly there are two license categories in this area. You will need to distinguish which category your vehicle belongs to as it will determine whether or not you are allowed to process your application.

客貨車: This category of vehicle you are allowed to place under your name, but only assuming you either have a business or belong to a "公會"( *see below).

貨車: This category is limited to Taiwan citizens only with specific types of businesses such as perhaps farms, construction etc.


*If your vehicle belongs to the first "客貨車" category (it should state on your vehicle licence document) and assuming you don't have a business to register under then you can contact a specialist company which will process it for you under a "公會" clause. You pay a fee to the company and they will manage the entire procedure for you.

In the Taipei Chengde Rd. area you may contact a Ms Li (02) 28362871 and enquire about this process.
You will need to provide two forms of local I.D. i.e. A.R.C. and Health Card, and you must provide a local driving license in your name as well as the vehicle's license of course. They will always require the vehicle and can be trusted to return it when finished with the application.

If you are not in this Taipei area then I suggest asking at any local used car sales site for the contact number of their local licence management agent such as Ms. Li.


The M.V.O. do confirm that foreigners can most definitely not under any circumstances apply for a vehicle in the "貨車" category.