Four out of five car dealers do not favour a Transport Ministry proposal to increase the maximum size of private cars.

But when asked if they would bring in larger cars if allowed by law, dealers said they would either follow what the market wanted or do so to be competitive.

And they warned the proposed changes may increase car owners' spare parts woes with an even greater variety of models needing additional parts.

Currently there are 45 models of private cars on sale in Bermuda and sold by the five dealers, Bermuda Motors, Continental Motors, EuroCar Ltd., HWP Group, and Star Motors.

Star Motors, importers of BMW and Rover models, is the lone dissenter in the informal grouping of dealers.

Last week Transport Minister Ewart Brown said civil servants were looking at increasing the size of private cars from 67 inches wide by 169 inches long to 70 inches by 176 inches.

Dr. Brown said the proposed changes were a "safety issue'' to allow original bumpers on luxury cars. He noted that the idea was a Ministry initiative.

Dealers often cut or replace standard bumpers to squeeze under the limit, but this reduces the effectiveness of the safety device.

Car bumpers are generally tested to prevent any damage to a car at speeds of between five and 15 miles per hour. Other safety measures save lives at higher speeds.

Car owners often replace the smaller bumpers with the original equipment -- effectively breaking the law.

"Dealers have met and the impression I got is we're against it,'' Jeff Stirling of Continental Motors said. "The majority of owners have decided to not back up the increase in size.'' He added: "It's a bit too much. It would make the parts situation worse.'' Martin Brewin, of HWP, said: "Dealers are concerned that increasing the width would lead to some nullification of the efforts undertaken by the Ministry to reduce the congestion on the roads.'' He added: "It comes at a time that five of six feel that it is not necessary to make submissions to the authority to do something. It may be that at a later date we would like to see an increase.'' One way of accommodating the larger bumpers, Mr. Brewin said, might be to increase the overall allowable length of the cars while keeping the width requirement.

"We are aware that many changes are being considered and the industry group are working together to find an effective solution to the issues raised,'' Mr.

Brewin concluded.

When contacted this week, Dr. Brown reiterated the move came from the Ministry.

"It didn't grow from anything else,'' he said. "The initiative didn't grow out of a particular dealer saying he wanted to have it.'' "Again, this is a safety issue,'' he added.

Dr. Brown pointed out that tests have shown that with inadequate bumpers, even at five miles per hour, it can lead to vehicle damage, and at higher speeds, vehicle damage and injury to people.

"This is a relatively mild initiative,'' he said.

John Bento, owner of Star Motors explained auto makers had standardised car classifications and had agreed the sub-compact cars' maximum size should be expanded to be between 174 and 176 inches in length.

Soon many more car models will be outside the current limits as the BMW, Rovers, and the Suzuki Baleno are now.

"In the next couple of years the other dealers will be screaming for the maximum size to be increased because that will be all they can get,'' he said.

"Yes, I absolutely am in favour of an increase as it is a safety issue,'' Mr.

Bento continued. "There are a significant number of people that are putting the original bumpers back on to protect their original investment.'' His competitor, Tim Astley of EuroCar, said the Ministry would one day have to increase the maximum width of private cars due to the industry trend toward the inclusion of side impact bags as standard equipment.

"We actually put forward years ago the addition of extra width,'' he said.

"But as to length we're not too happy. They are going too far. An increase in size will open up to more makers (manufacturers).

"If you speak to most of the dealers, they won't be happy with this,'' Mr.

Astley said. "The proposed sizes are perfect for luxury vehicles.'' Anthony Steede, of Bermuda Motors, said he was not in agreement with the proposed changes and agreed with the others that the practice of changing the bumpers or cutting them reduced safety.

"We have not lobbied Government on this,'' he said. "We are in support of some increase of size but only up to 69 by 173. Primarily because we have to modify only one vehicle in our line-up.'' Dealers will be meeting with Ministry officials -- possibly including Dr.

Brown -- next week.