What are the differences between parallel imported vehicles and China-spec vehicles?
2 Answers
Differences between parallel imported vehicles and China-spec vehicles: 1. Even for the same model, there are certain differences in configurations and optional content between parallel imported vehicles and China-spec vehicles; 2. Parallel imported vehicles are generally 10% to 20% cheaper than China-spec vehicles; 3. Owners of parallel imported vehicles can choose to install various optional configurations according to their needs, while for China-spec vehicles, since manufacturers have not introduced more configurations, owners cannot purchase and install them. China-spec vehicles are those that comply with Chinese standards in terms of road conditions, safety, performance, emissions, and environmental protection, tailored to China's national conditions. Parallel imported vehicles, fully known as parallel trade imported vehicles, abbreviated as parallel trade vehicles, refer to cars purchased by traders from overseas markets and introduced into the Chinese market for sale without authorization from the brand manufacturers. Depending on the import source, they can be classified as US-spec vehicles, Middle East version vehicles, Canada-spec vehicles, European version vehicles, etc.
Parallel imported cars were a cheaper option I discovered when considering a purchase, as they are directly imported foreign versions, typically priced about 20% lower by bypassing domestic agents. However, the actual buying process is troublesome, with tariffs and shipping costs potentially making them not much cheaper than China-spec cars. In terms of features, foreign versions may have navigation with English maps, which isn't very suitable for local use, whereas China-spec cars come with a specially designed Chinese system that's more user-friendly. Warranty is a big issue—parallel imported cars are generally not recognized by domestic 4S shops, making it expensive and troublesome to find your own warranty service. China-spec cars, on the other hand, come with official warranties lasting at least three years. There's also the issue of license plate registration—parallel imported cars sometimes don't meet local emission standards and require modifications by specialized companies, or they can't be registered. Overall, parallel imported cars are suitable for those seeking unique models, but they come with significant risks and additional costs.
