China Imports More Cars and Parts in January -November 2003

BEIJING December 23, 2003; Dow Jones reported that China's automobile imports rose 38% year on year to 155, 761 vehicles in the first eleven months of 2003, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday.

That total included 92,511 sedans and 37,381 off-road vehicles, the report said, citing the General Administration of Customs. The report did not specify the brands or manufacturers of the imported vehicles.

The report said the value of those vehicle imports totaled $4.7 billion.

The rise in imports is a reflection of a hard-won concession in China's World Trade Organization agreement that required the country to open up its automobile market to foreign-produced vehicles. China entered the WTO in December 2001.

China's imports of automotive products including vehicles, parts and components increased 87% on year to $13 billion in the January to November period, the report said.

The value of those imports included $2.7 billion and $5.7 billion for key components and parts and accessories, respectively in the same period.