Porsche launched their Cayenne Turbo S in China several days ago, the specifications are eye watering, but that is nothing compared to the price: 2.35 million RMB, roughly double what CCT paid for a good house.
If you want to put down a deposit to secure yourself the Turbo S, then you’ll have to come up with 200,000rmb, roughly what CCT paid for a good car. In 2007, Porsche sold 2,150 Cayennes in China, which accounted for 80% of Porsche China sales.
Porsche officially (they were available before that) came to China in 2001 first in Beijing, and then spread elsewhere as demand for Porsche cars grew. According to media reports, Porsche sold a mere 205 cars in 03/04, but sold 3105 cars in 06/07.
CCT can honestly say that he see’s around 10 black Cayennes everyday, which makes us wonder 1) There must be many more wealthy people than we think 2) Do Porsche sell them in any other color in China)
Thanks for this post and the A8 posting.
I heard there are something like 3000 Bentleys sold in China last year as well, so yes, there are some people who can’t figure out what else to do with their money.
I should think that is 300 Bentleys. I don’t think world annual sales reach 3000. Then again my off memory comments may be wrong.
I’ve just seen a goldish copper-like metallic paint Cayenne in Chongqing. So, there must be at least one other colour!
I think Ive seen a purple coloured one as well.
Ive seen a white/red turbo model, oddly it had UK plates on it, but it was in China.
I guess the police dont like to mess with someone who owns a 2.35 million RMB car.
my bad, it was an extra zero. around 10K sales worldwide.
Just back from Qingdao Ash, besides black Canines, saw a red, white, silver and a blue! 2 Bentleys, 1 Maser, and heaps of Bomas and other cliches. But Qd still lags well behind BJ, Shangers, Ningbo and the rest.
Every time I visit Shanghai or Beijing, Im overwhelmed by the sheer shitness of cars on the road, Beijing especially.
In Guangzhou they are mostly black but you have the occasional Forest Green (with Wujing plates) or gold (also with army plates, natch).
PLA and PSB budget must be quite comfy this year!
Im pretty surprised at the different cars that the PLA field, they have everything from Daewoo Ticos to Tourags (from what Ive seen)
Im wondering exactly what the criteria for car procurement are in the PLA.
I also once heard a tale that some cars of the PLA are taken from tax cheats etc
True, they have almost every make going, and not only taken from tax cheats, from court, crimes and windups, stolen and cars deemed (selectively)illegal from private and company imports etc.
It honestly looks like we’re not the only ones wondering whats going on with the PLA and their dream car garage:
http://club.chinaren.com/bbs/index.jsp?boardid=0&hotmsgid=104180105
http://www.xcar.com.cn/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=8253721
An odd comment:
“The Germans will be happy, our military budget is spent on luxury cars, world peace, peaceful world’
‘军车可以免购置税，免过路费，不受一般交通法规约束，所以有点关系的有钱人一般都喜欢，只是挂个牌而已，跟军费没啥关系。’
The army can buy cars tax free, and dont pay road tax, they’re exempt from the Highway Code, so a person with a bit of money, and good connections can stick an army plate on their car.
The laws actually state that the driver of a military plated car (not just WJ but any of the branches) must be a military licensed driver. In the last year+ they have done some pretty hefty cracking down on businessmen who procure their military plates through connections and sport around above the law. I actually thought it was a good idea, until being convinced otherwise by some logical thinkers ;).
At least when they invade Taiwan, they’ll do in style and comfort!
Rick,
I was wondering the very same thing this afternoon, perhaps I wont go for Army plates (unless I grow one of those funny little Xinjiang ‘tashes this month), but may go for the Wu Jing additional lights behind the grill, not forgetting a standard spec wailer!
Drip down cash from the Olympic funds!!
Is it just my old eyes or do those two fellows seem unusually huge next to that vehicle? Or is it that SUV seems unusually small??
Maybe it’s those Aryan ubermensch…
they look BIG…maybe the Porsche is a 3/4 scale version of the original kubal wagon in order to accomodate the locals height needs and the tight narrow streets. Could’ve used a 3/4″ scal one on the North side of Chicago though. Crazy bavarians what will they think of next?…Maybe a Chrysler that looks like a Bentley (300D)?