Overseas customers come to China's second-hand cars to speed up "going overseas"
Wang Chen, who is in the used car export business in Taizhou, Zhejiang, told reporters that with the increase in the international recognition of my country's own auto brands, used cars exported from China are gradually being recognized by the market. Recently, more and more customers have actively approached them to buy a car.
In 2019, Taizhou, Zhejiang became the first pilot city for the export of second-hand cars in the country. As the first batch of traders engaged in the export of second-hand cars in China, Wang Chen told reporters that at the beginning, their company had a small business volume and only three employees. This year, they expanded the size of the company and recruited more than 20 people in one go.
According to statistics from the China Automobile Dealers Association, in 2021, my country will export a total of 15,000 second-hand cars; in the first half of this year, my country's second-hand car exports have exceeded 16,000. At the same time, the average unit price of exported used cars in my country has also increased significantly, from less than US$5,000 in 2019 to nearly US$15,000 in 2021.
The increase in the export of new energy used cars is "constrained" by shipping
The reporter learned in the interview that an important factor driving the export of second-hand cars in my country is the increase in the export of second-hand new energy vehicles. Taking Taizhou, Zhejiang as an example, new energy vehicles account for 90% of all used cars exported. However, the batteries on new energy vehicles are dangerous goods, which makes the export of new energy vehicles encounter a lot of problems in transportation.
In the trading company's office, Shi Xiaowei from the logistics department once again asked the freight forwarding company about the car's space. On an open space not far from the company, more than 40 second-hand new energy vehicles are parked.
For these second-hand cars of the company, overseas buyers have already paid and waited in line to board the ship. However, because new energy vehicles have higher environmental requirements for transportation, they cannot be transported through containers like oil trucks; and some shipping companies of automobile carriers currently refuse to carry new energy used vehicles, which brings great difficulties to their export transportation.
At present, my country's used cars are mainly exported to some developing countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and other regions. Exporters told reporters that they would pay more for road transport in Eastern Europe.
Ministry of Commerce: Second-hand car export quality standards will be implemented
In addition to the problem of long-distance transportation, the export of second-hand cars must also face the different conditions of car driving habits and quality standards in different countries in the world. How to solve these problems?
The reporter took a test drive of a second-hand car, and the display screen of the central control can be selected in both Chinese and English. Compared with second-hand cars that only have an option in Chinese, this kind of second-hand car is more popular with overseas customers. In addition to language, due to the difference in voltage and power sockets at home and abroad, at present, after the export of new energy used cars in my country, voltage conversion is also required when charging.
Shi Lei, the sales manager of used cars, told reporters that different countries have their own requirements for car imports. For this reason, they will also make corresponding adjustments when exporting used cars.
Experts told reporters that in view of the differences at home and abroad, the export of used cars should develop in concert with the export of new cars. At the same time, it is very important to build a sound after-sales service guarantee.
At present, my country's second-hand car export is still in the initial stage of exploration. In order to standardize the export order of second-hand cars and ensure the quality of export products, we will unify export inspection standards. A few days ago, the Ministry of Commerce issued an announcement stating that the "Quality Requirements for Export of Used Passenger Vehicles" and "Quality Requirements for the Export of Used Commercial Vehicles and Trailers" have been reviewed by the Ministry of Commerce, and the standards will be officially implemented on December 1, 2022.
