7 seat conversions

[baberenglish]

As I continuously look for a new vehicle, I am looking for a vehicle that has a back bench that can hold an extra 2 people when the time permits. I have looked at a variety of vans, crossovers and small SUVs. Vans aren't a problem. But I have noticed that vehicles such as the outlander, rav 4, ix35, innova, etc...all have seating for 5 but with no pull out bench at the back. In other countries, the same vehicle as an optional back seat. Is there some law restricting these vehicles having it in Taiwan? Is there additional tax having a 7 seat capacity for a SUV/crossover? I have seen bigger SUVs such as the luxgen, santa fe that have these but the wifey thinks these are a bit big.

[sulavaca]

As I continuously look for a new vehicle, I am looking for a vehicle that has a back bench that can hold an extra 2 people when the time permits. I have looked at a variety of vans, crossovers and small SUVs. Vans aren't a problem. But I have noticed that vehicles such as the outlander, rav 4, ix35, innova, etc...all have seating for 5 but with no pull out bench at the back. In other countries, the same vehicle as an optional back seat. Is there some law restricting these vehicles having it in Taiwan? Is there additional tax having a 7 seat capacity for a SUV/crossover? I have seen bigger SUVs such as the luxgen, santa fe that have these but the wifey thinks these are a bit big.

modifications to add additional seating are technically illegal and drivers may be fined for carrying extra passengers.

Having said that the Toyota Innover has an after market third row which fits in nicely. It needs additional seat-belts fitted, with PROPER, REINFORCED anchoring points though.

[baberenglish]

I know that those conversions are illegal but I am wondering why those same vehicles in other countries have that extra row but in Taiwan they don't.....
Example.
A Rav 4 in the US comes with an extra row of seating in the back. In Taiwan that is not a legal option. Is there some law/technicality/tax that stops them from doing this?
An Innova in other countries(India/Thailand/Indonesia) is classified as a 7 passenger van...not here.
A Honda Pilot has stow away seats as well....again, not here. Not too many around here, like to see more though.Probably kill a good chunk of the Crv's sales though.
But then again a Santa Fe, Luxgen SUV and Kia something as that standard with the price tag remaining reasonable and the tax staying similar to that of their 5 passenger cousins. It just seems that more and more crossovers/suvs don't want to offer that additional row......This bugs me.

[sulavaca]

This strays into the no rhyme nor reason area of Taiwan law I'm afraid.
Even with suitable, safe conversion methods, the local government is adamant that vehicles shall not stray from their original specifications. Even if you can make a vehicle safer than it was originally designed to be, then you can be fined and worse for doing so.
This is a topic which has been discussed on these boards in the past, and pops up from time to time. You need not attempt to try and find logic in present Taiwan statutes regarding this area of vehicle modifications. You may only become more frustrated in your attempts.