Does GAC Toyota Have Regional Protection?
2 Answers
GAC Toyota has regional protection. Automotive regional protection: As the name suggests, it refers to the automotive industry's practice of restricting goods from other regions to protect local businesses. Prohibition of cross-regional sales: Each vehicle has a unique VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and is assigned a specific authorized sales region. Sales outside this region are considered cross-regional sales. (Evidence is based on comparing the VIN and license plate number, such as a Hebei license plate on a Beijing-registered vehicle). Disrupting the market through improper promotion: Creating confusion in local or non-local markets through inappropriate promotion to achieve dumping. (Evidence includes advertisements, phone recordings, video screenshots, etc.).
From my car-buying experience, GAC Toyota indeed has a regional protection policy, which means dealers in different regions can only sell cars locally and are not allowed to sell across provinces to protect the local market. Last year, I wanted to buy a Camry in Shenzhen, but heard the price was cheaper in Guangzhou, so I went to inquire. However, the salesperson directly said they couldn’t sell to customers with out-of-town license plates, citing company policy. This forced me to buy locally at a higher price, which felt like a bit of a loss. The upside is that local service is more attentive, and maintenance is more convenient, but the downside is that it limits consumers' opportunities to save money. I recommend visiting several 4S stores before making a decision and asking about promotions, as manufacturers sometimes relax policies during special events. Regional protection is common among major brands, so don’t be too surprised. The key is to do your homework—check the dealer’s official website policies before making a move.
