
China III vehicles generally refer to cars produced between 2007 and 2011, with the nationwide implementation date starting from July 1, 2007. According to Announcement No. 5 of 2006 by the National Environmental Protection Administration, 'Announcement on the Release of New Motor Vehicle Models and Engine Types Meeting the National Phase II and Phase III Emission Limits for Motor Vehicles,' the China III standard mainly applies to light gasoline and diesel vehicles under 3.5 tons, equivalent to the Euro III standard. The so-called China III standard refers to China's third-stage vehicle emission standard. The national third-stage emission standard is equivalent to the Euro III emission standard, meaning the pollutant content in exhaust emissions is similar to Euro III levels. The difference is that new vehicles must be equipped with an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) system. The characteristics of the OBD system include an increased number of detection points and detection systems, with oxygen sensors installed at both the inlet and outlet of the three-way catalytic converter. Compliance is fully ensured through real-time monitoring of vehicle emissions, guaranteeing stricter enforcement of the Euro III emission standard. Compared to China II vehicles, China III vehicles are more fuel-efficient. Models around 5 tons save approximately 1 liter per 100 kilometers, while 10-ton models save about 2 liters. However, this applies primarily to long-distance and stable driving conditions. For short-distance operations, the impact on fuel consumption is minimal. China's emission standards are categorized as follows: China I, China II, China III, China IV, China V, and China VI. As of December 31, 2018, the national standard for light gasoline vehicles was China V. The China VI emission standard is implemented in two phases: Phase 1: Starting from July 1, 2020, all vehicles sold and registered must comply with the China VI A standard. Phase 2: Starting from July 1, 2023, all vehicles sold and registered must comply with the China VI B standard. Some cities may advance the implementation of the China VI emission standard for light vehicles to January 1, 2019.

I've encountered this issue before. Vehicles complying with the China III emission standards were mainly produced around 2007, as the Chinese government officially implemented the third-phase emission standards that year. I remember many of my friends bought their cars around 2008, just catching this wave. This standard primarily aims to control vehicle pollutants, such as reducing carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which greatly benefits environmental protection. With the advancement of China III, older vehicles like China I and China II were gradually phased out, which I think is great as the air has become much cleaner. However, when buying used cars, you need to be careful. Some major cities now restrict China III vehicles, so it's best to check the vehicle's manufacturing date by looking at the registration certificate or VIN code to confirm the year. Overall, understanding this can help everyone make wiser choices when selecting a car.

I think the production years of China III vehicles are mainly concentrated between 2007 and 2008. My own old car was manufactured in 2007, and the salesperson told me at the time of purchase that the new standard had just been enforced, requiring all new vehicles to comply with China III. From a market perspective, new cars during that period underwent engine technology upgrades, resulting in slightly higher prices but offering better environmental performance and durability. Some brands, such as Volkswagen and Toyota, had already adjusted their production in advance. Looking back now, choosing a China III vehicle was quite worthwhile—more fuel-efficient and with fewer issues compared to older cars. If buying a used car, I recommend prioritizing models from 2007 onwards to avoid being restricted by urban traffic policies.

Regarding the production period of China III vehicles, I recall that it was fully implemented around July 2007, especially for newly manufactured vehicles which had to meet the standards. You can identify such vehicles by checking the model nameplate or registration details to determine the year. From my experience in car repairs, I've noticed that China III vehicles generally have improved emission control systems, such as upgraded catalysts and fuel injectors, which significantly reduce maintenance issues. Of course, production of older models gradually ceased. Understanding this is crucial for car owners to avoid fines in pollution control zones, and it has also driven advancements in China's automotive technology, making roads somewhat safer.

China's National III emission standard vehicles were mainly produced after 2007. From my experience, after the new standard was mandatorily implemented in mid-2007, manufacturers adjusted their production lines, and newly released models basically complied. During this period, the automotive market underwent significant changes, with many people opting to replace their cars, boosting the activity of used car transactions, but also causing some transitional chaos. It is recommended to check the vehicle registration date in the archives when purchasing. National III vehicles from 2007-2008 are quite common, with continued production in subsequent years until National IV was introduced. Mastering this year information makes maintenance or ownership transfer much more convenient.


