What is the Difference Between Imported and Joint Venture Cars?
2 Answers
The differences between imported cars and joint venture cars are as follows: 1. Different origins: Imported cars are fully imported, while joint venture cars are either fully domestically produced or assembled in China with some imported parts. 2. Different design concepts: Joint venture cars adopt foreign design concepts and technologies but are manufactured by domestic workers; imported cars are entirely developed and built on foreign platforms. 3. Different manufacturers: Imported cars are manufactured by non-domestic or joint venture enterprises, categorized into versions like US-spec, China-spec, Middle East edition, and European edition; joint venture cars are produced by automotive companies jointly invested by domestic and foreign automobile brands.
The difference between imported cars and joint-venture cars is quite interesting. Having driven several models from different brands, the most noticeable distinction lies in their place of origin. Imported cars, like German-made BMWs, are shipped entirely from overseas, with every screw assembled in foreign factories. Their prices are significantly higher, with taxes and duties accounting for a large portion. Joint-venture cars, such as FAW Toyota, although bearing the Toyota logo, have their engine production lines and parts procurement localized in China. This means maintenance is more convenient—for instance, replacing a headlight assembly in an imported car might require a two-week wait for shipment from Germany, whereas joint-venture car parts can often be delivered to the 4S store the next day. In terms of design, imported cars adhere more strictly to the original factory style, while joint-venture cars often make adjustments—like extending rear legroom by 5 centimeters for Chinese family users. If you frequently drive on rural dirt roads, joint-venture cars usually feature suspension tuning better suited to China's bumpy road conditions.
