Foreign Cars Set to Flood Vietnam

[Judi Lynn]

2006-02-21 20:02 KST

Foreign Cars Set to Flood Vietnam
A new governmental decree opens gate for influx of second-hand cars

For long, many local households have found owning a car a vain hope. Car prices in Vietnam are among the highest in South East Asia, while the annual per capita income is among the lowest. It costs approximately US$14,075 for a brand new Ford Focus in Thailand. That price for the same car in Vietnam jumps up to over $55,000 after import levies, luxury and value added taxes, which correspondingly stand at 100 percent, 80 percent and 10 percent.

This new decision from the government allows the import of used cars from other countries, bringing hope to middle-class families. The decree, which will be put into full effect from May 1, states that all second-hand automobiles under 16 seats, within the usage limitation of five years from production to import time, could wheel into the domestic market.
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Some economic experts view the decision as a necessary step in Vietnam's full integration into the world economy, as well as new thinking from the government. But there are still worrisome concerns that Vietnam might be a dumping place for other nations.
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Most potential markets, as pointed out by marketers, are the U.S., Australia and China. Chinese second-hand cars are speculated to have captured the market in Vietnam, due to their low price, but many raise concerns about safety standards.
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http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?article_class=3&no=275436&rel_no=1

[flordehinojos]

1. are they shipping over the flooded out cars from the New Orleans Katrina

disaster? Dear Vietnamese people BEWARD OF THE CARS YOU BUY!

[Javaman]

2. And just where is the oil going to come from to power these cars? nt

[AngryAmish]

3. Vietnam is an oil exporter

That is where they get the gas.

Also hardly anyone in Vietnam has cars. It is interesting (and unspeakably dangerous) to see a family of five on a motor scooter. These folks should be allowed to own a car. However, the traffic signals really need some work.

[Ksec]

4. the country of bicycles going to cars

Thats a shame. We could learn a thing or two from that culture as it is today.

[AngryAmish]

5. Vietnam stopped being a country of bicycles 5-10 years ago

We may learn a thing or 2 from their culture but the people of Vietnam have spoken and they like motored vehicles. Right now all they can afford to buy are motor scooters but they will get cars eventually if allowed.

Try being a Vietnamese girl in dressed in long sleeves and pants and biking ten miles to work in 100 degree weather. That is not fun. I don't blame them for wanting a lift.