What are the differences between imported and domestically produced cars?
4 Answers
The biggest difference between imported and domestically produced cars lies in the price. The differences between imported and domestically produced cars are as follows: 1. Price: Domestically produced cars are the cheapest; followed by parallel imported cars; the most expensive are regular imported cars. This is because parallel imported cars can bypass the general agents, eliminating middlemen, which naturally lowers the price significantly. Typically, they can be 10%~20% cheaper. For example, a car worth 1 million can save you around 100,000 to 200,000. 2. Models: Through parallel imports, you can purchase models that are not available in domestically produced or regular imported cars. Depending on the import region, they are also categorized into "American-spec cars," "European-spec cars," etc., and all are authentic. 3. Post-purchase usage and after-sales service: Domestically produced cars are the most convenient and worry-free; followed by regular imported cars; the worst are parallel imported cars. Parallel imported cars do not come with a warranty, requiring owners to purchase insurance themselves, and many 4S shops will not provide repairs.
The most obvious difference between imported and domestically produced cars lies in the price. When I was buying a car, I specifically visited several 4S stores. Due to tariffs and transportation costs, imported cars are usually 30% to 50% more expensive than domestic ones. For example, for SUVs of the same class, a domestic one might cost 150,000 yuan, while an imported one would cost over 200,000 yuan. Maintenance is also much more expensive later on. Last time, my neighbor had to wait two months to replace the bumper of his imported car, which cost over 8,000 yuan, whereas domestic cars usually get parts the same day. Additionally, imported cars have higher fuel requirements; 92-octane gasoline might not suffice, requiring 95-octane, which adds up to a significant expense over time.
As someone who frequently helps friends choose cars, I've noticed the quality gap between imported and domestic vehicles is narrowing. A decade ago, imported cars indeed had finer craftsmanship, but now leading domestic brands like Geely and Changan have largely caught up, especially since they use international-standard production lines. However, imported cars generally score higher in safety tests, with European models often achieving five-star ENCAP ratings. In terms of core technologies, imported cars may have more refined engine tuning and chassis technology, offering a more sophisticated driving experience.
From a daily usage perspective, domestic cars are more suitable for ordinary people. Maintenance service centers are everywhere, even in county towns you can find 4S shops, while imported cars have very few maintenance points outside major cities. Parts replacement is also troublesome - last time my cousin's imported car got into an accident, it took 45 days to get an original headlight replacement. The fuel consumption difference is also noteworthy - domestic versions of same-displacement cars pay more attention to fuel-saving tuning. Additionally, domestic cars are designed to better suit Chinese road conditions, like extended wheelbase versions offering more practical space performance compared to their imported counterparts.
