What is an Imported Car?
2 Answers
Here is information about imported cars: 1. An imported car refers to a vehicle that is entirely manufactured abroad and then transported to the domestic market for sale. In other words, neither the technology nor the materials involve any Chinese participation in the entire process. Currently, there are two common types of imported cars: (1) Those sold in 4S stores, introduced through "original manufacturer authorization," known as China-spec cars. (2) Vehicles imported into China by car dealers through international channels without "original manufacturer authorization," known as parallel imported cars, which generally include US-spec cars, Middle East-spec cars, Canada-spec cars, and Europe-spec cars. 2. China-spec cars are called so because their configurations and requirements must comply with China's traffic regulations and are sold through sales channels established by major automotive brands in China. A key feature of China-spec cars is that they go through multiple layers of dealers before reaching the 4S stores. Typically, the manufacturer supplies the cars to the domestic market, which then distributes them to various provinces, then to cities, and finally to the 4S stores. This process increases the corresponding costs, and these additional costs are ultimately reflected in the car's price.
As a car enthusiast, I often talk about imported cars. Imported cars are vehicles manufactured in other countries and then transported to the local market for sale through import channels. For example, in China, these might include models from German brands like BMW or Japanese brands like Toyota. Unlike domestically produced cars, imported vehicles usually undergo strict quality control and offer diverse design styles to cater to different preferences. Some people particularly appreciate the handling of European cars and the durability of Japanese cars. However, the costs are relatively higher due to additional expenses like import tariffs and shipping fees, making the retail price significantly more expensive than domestic cars. Maintenance can also be more challenging, as parts often need to be sourced from abroad, leading to longer waiting times. The advantage is the wider selection, allowing buyers to observe global automotive trends. For instance, with the current popularity of electric vehicles, imported models like Tesla attract a lot of attention. When considering the pros and cons, it's important to balance budget and preferences before purchasing to ensure the car meets your driving needs.
