| Luxury cars are driving out of Auto Shanghai 2007 at rapid speed |
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| Friday,April 27,2007 Posted: 07:46 BJT(2346 GMT) chinaview |
BEIJING, April 26 -- Luxury cars on display at the Auto Shanghai 2007 may be out of reach for the average consumer who could only just ogle at them but some car makers have sold these flashy vehicles in the first three days of the show.
DaimlerChrysler reaped two orders for the Maybach 62 S, valued at nearly nine million yuan (1.16 million U.S. dollars), at the show.
"Some of our Maybach fans who already own a Maybach model also showed interest to own another after they saw the 62 S at the auto show," said DaimlerChrysler (China).
The two buyers are both from eastern China area. One car was ordered by siblings who bought it for their father as a gift.
The Maybach 62 S is the fourth and latest model to join the Maybach range of luxury saloons.
Porsche is also another luxury car maker to win big at the show. It brought nine models to the show and all, except for the RS Spyder, a race car making its Asian debut at the show, were sold in the first three days.
"The sales are really good, with orders made from buyers not only from Shanghai but also from other parts of the country," said a Porsche official.
The most expensive Porsche model sold during the show was 911 Turbo, which costs at least 1.95 million yuan.
Ferrari and Maserati also enjoyed roaring good sales. A Ferrari F430 was sold for 2.84 million yuan with standard equipment and a Maserati Quattroporte Executive GT priced at 1.92 million yuan was also snapped up.
Industry observers said it is common to see on-site sales in auto shows in China.
Frank Y. Chou, associate partner of Value Partners, a consulting firm, said at overseas car shows, on-site orders may not be as common as in China.
"Overseas buyers have more channels to see high-end luxury cars while buyers in China take the auto show as one of the major channels. The sales of cars at shows can also help dealers cut costs on transport," Chou said.
More than 1,300 auto manufacturers and car components makers from 20 countries and regions are taking in the seven-day show at the Shanghai New International Expo Center.
The auto exhibition is scheduled to end on Saturday.
(Source: Shanghai Daily)
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