http://www.sohu.com/a/296156166_249262
'Parallel Imports' is a terminology used for grey import vehicles in China. Grey imports include some of the most coveted car models that are inaccessible through official distribution channels. Below is the list of top ten grey import models (rounded to the nearest hundreds)
1 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 26,900
2 Nissan Patrol Y62 22,800
3 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 20,100
4 Range Rover 11,100
5 BMW X5 11,000
6 Mercedes GLS 7,800
7 Toyota Sienna 7,300
8 Mitsubishi Pajero V80 4,500
9 Range Rover Sport 3,700
10 Mercedes GLE 3,200
Some quick comments:
1) These are total #of imports, retail sales exceed these numbers due to carry-over stock from last year.
2) Nissan Patrol Y62 was selling at dumping prices due to over-supply. A Patrol 4.0 costs less than Prado 2700, which makes it a really good deal. Similarly, the 5.6 V8 model is cheaper than the LC200 4600.
3) The LC150 Prado was dethroned this year due to Toyota restricting the import quota for Middle East-spec Prado to protect FAW-Toyota's own Prado 3500, causing a sharp increase in price. A Prado 4000 now sells at the same price as a comparatively-priced LC200 4000, making the latter a much better buy.
Sales figures for Toyota's officially-distributed imports:
1 Alphard 12,645
2 FJ Cruiser 3,626
3 Previa 3,243
4 Tundra 313
5 HiAce 599
The Alphard (imported by GAC) is just on fire. Toyota is selling this car at almost +100% mark-up these days, 1,000 a month. This is the single most profitable flagship model TMC makes. The LS/LC/LX don't even come close. This year FAW will start importing the Vellfire, the sportier sibling of the Alphard. To keep some product differentiation the Vellfire will only get the 2.5L hybrid E-Four, while the Alphard will only get the 3.5L 2GR-FKS. This is somewhat weird since the Vellfire should receive the more powerful V6 while the Alphard should have the smoother and quieter hybrid. Now the Lexus dealers must be drooling for that LM350.
This year we are also (finally) getting the 4Runner TRD Pro. I think the unofficial name used by the importer is 'Super Prado'. At over ¥700k (over $100k) it's a very bad buy compared to, say, the Wrangler JK. But the cool factor is there, people are paying similar money for the Tacoma TRD Pro after all.
'Parallel Imports' is a terminology used for grey import vehicles in China. Grey imports include some of the most coveted car models that are inaccessible through official distribution channels. Below is the list of top ten grey import models (rounded to the nearest hundreds)
1 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 26,900
2 Nissan Patrol Y62 22,800
3 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 20,100
4 Range Rover 11,100
5 BMW X5 11,000
6 Mercedes GLS 7,800
7 Toyota Sienna 7,300
8 Mitsubishi Pajero V80 4,500
9 Range Rover Sport 3,700
10 Mercedes GLE 3,200
Some quick comments:
1) These are total #of imports, retail sales exceed these numbers due to carry-over stock from last year.
2) Nissan Patrol Y62 was selling at dumping prices due to over-supply. A Patrol 4.0 costs less than Prado 2700, which makes it a really good deal. Similarly, the 5.6 V8 model is cheaper than the LC200 4600.
3) The LC150 Prado was dethroned this year due to Toyota restricting the import quota for Middle East-spec Prado to protect FAW-Toyota's own Prado 3500, causing a sharp increase in price. A Prado 4000 now sells at the same price as a comparatively-priced LC200 4000, making the latter a much better buy.
Sales figures for Toyota's officially-distributed imports:
1 Alphard 12,645
2 FJ Cruiser 3,626
3 Previa 3,243
4 Tundra 313
5 HiAce 599
The Alphard (imported by GAC) is just on fire. Toyota is selling this car at almost +100% mark-up these days, 1,000 a month. This is the single most profitable flagship model TMC makes. The LS/LC/LX don't even come close. This year FAW will start importing the Vellfire, the sportier sibling of the Alphard. To keep some product differentiation the Vellfire will only get the 2.5L hybrid E-Four, while the Alphard will only get the 3.5L 2GR-FKS. This is somewhat weird since the Vellfire should receive the more powerful V6 while the Alphard should have the smoother and quieter hybrid. Now the Lexus dealers must be drooling for that LM350.
This year we are also (finally) getting the 4Runner TRD Pro. I think the unofficial name used by the importer is 'Super Prado'. At over ¥700k (over $100k) it's a very bad buy compared to, say, the Wrangler JK. But the cool factor is there, people are paying similar money for the Tacoma TRD Pro after all.
