Topic: news A Foreigner’s Guide to Buying Vehicles in China

Everyone in Shenzhen is mad about getting a car. They now add 300,000 cars to the roads here each year. There are 1.75 million parking spaces in the city, yet there are nearly 3 million cars registered in Shenzhen. Roads with barely any cars 5 years ago are now packed wall to wall, mostly with drivers having less than a year or two experience driving. Yikes! I've been riding a bicycle in Shenzhen for 2 years (unless there's a downpour in progress). It's dangerous, for sure, but it really wakes me up. I've only almost crashed a couple of times, so I consider that a win. Get a bike. You don't need to pay for parking, fuel, expensive repairs, and you get exercise, don't pollute and feel better. Buses, taxis, subways, trains and planes go everywhere you want to go. I've been in China nearly 6 years. Even though I drove in the U.S. since I was 16 years old, I've never needed nor felt the need for a car while here. The transportation infrastructure is impressive. Don't fall into the 'I have to have a car' trap. Most people here buy cars for status, and to see what they've been missing. Now they're simply missing more RMB while idling on a pollution-filled road with thousands of other unsuspecting motorists.