4 Parallel-imports

Earlier this year, China allowed dealers to sell imported cars－called parallel imports－as part of the central government's overall effort to slash prices on expensive luxury vehicles, boost trade and competition, break up monopolies and offer consumers more choices.

Free trade zones in Shanghai and Tianjin as well as in Guangdong and Fujian provinces have now piloted parallel-import auto programs that allow independent auto dealers to directly import vehicles from a foreign production base, a gray market that has existed in China for years.

Sales figures have been lower than expected. The Ministry of Commerce said last week that parallel import auto companies applied for authorization to import 1,598 vehicles in 2015.

[Photo/China Daily]