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Growth engine? Help me buy a car, thanks

By Wang Linyan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-30 07:43

If consumption is an engine of economic growth, Wang Hao had a perfect vehicle in mind: A car paid for by others.

So the 25-year-old photographer came up with what he thought was perfect plan of action - soliciting donations online through a website.

And it seems to have worked, at least, partially.

"The exact amount I received from Feb 3 to April 4, the time span for the campaign, was 18,198.02 yuan ($2,666)," Wang, who works in Beijing, told China Daily.

More than 6,000 people nationwide transferred money online to Wang's bank account.

"People donated 4.99, 8.88 or 9.99 yuan, all interesting numbers. One guy wanted to send me 4.99 yuan but instead sent 499 yuan by mistake. I sent back the money," Wang said.

Wang sought donations ranging from 1 to 10 yuan through information portal Sofun.com to help buy a car priced at about 100,000 yuan.

"I can afford a car and I will pay for the remaining cost myself," Wang said.

"But I hope my campaign influences people with disposable income to buy an apartment or car, so that we can help the country with its economy," Wang said, adding that he earns "several thousand yuan a month" and often takes taxis.

Related readings:  Shanghai Auto Expo drives sales amid global slump  Global auto glitz revs up in Shanghai auto show  Brilliance Auto aims for 10% 2009 growth  GM China to display 37 vehicles at Shanghai Auto show

Some members of the online community, however, have dubbed him a "Net beggar".

Wang insists he is not, and his move is not merely a ploy to collect alms. That is because he is also asking for "online opinion" over what car he should be getting - and doing his part to "help stimulate domestic consumption".

On April 15, Wang posted a notice on his blog calling for netizens to shortlist 10 out of 50 cars, from which he would choose his favorite. Voting will last till May 15 and Wang said he would go to Tianjin to shop for his vehicle at the end of May or early June.

"I prefer a fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly car. I plan to drive it to the cities of the donors to thank them for their support," he said.

"I've received more than 50,000 online votes so far and the top three cars are all domestic brands. It's exciting to see the number of votes rising," he said yesterday.

While some people support Wang's online campaign, others question his motives.

"Isn't he simply using other people's money to buy a car for himself?" Gao Zhenghao, an online user and white-collar worker in his early 30s in Shanghai, told China Daily yesterday.

"Why doesn't he give people money to help with their spending instead?".

Liu Huifen, an associate professor on online culture at Tsinghua University, said Wang's campaign is a "collective game" played on the Internet.

"Young people's fondness for new things and easy online interaction have both contributed to this temporary collective game. Online transfers of funds are also easy and on average, each offers about 3 yuan, " Liu said.

"The Internet allows them to not only propose a novel topic or activity, but also to come together with strangers, which is becoming increasingly difficult to do in real life."

However, Liu's colleague Liu Qinglong, a professor of sociology, thinks Wang's car-buying mission is more than just a game.

"It reflects people's concerns over the ongoing global economic crisis and its impact on China. And it's good that Wang is offering his solution."

The photographer's campaign is similar to activities on social networking websites such as those calling for participants to go on outings, without any commitment to face-to-face meetings, the professor said.

"Things like this will become more common in the virtual world."