N.China port is China's leader in automobile imports

Tianjin, an industrial center and a major port in northern China, posted an impressive growth in automobile imports in the first two months of this year, due largely to geographical advantage and anticipated cost increases.

According to local customs, Tianjin imported 12,900 motor vehicles from January to February, representing a growth of 260 percent from the previous year and ranking first among five auto import ports across the nation.

The other four ports are Shanghai, Huangpu, Shenzhen and Dalian.

The automobile arrivals at Tianjin port made up 44.5 percent of China's total in the January-February period, up 18.5 percent from the previous year.

Local customs sources said factors behind the fast imports growth included its favorable location and an expected increase in marketing costs. Rumors of a raised consumption tax next month for auto buyers also accounted for a growth of imports before the possible tax rise.

Tianjin is only 126 km from Beijing, which is home to the trading headquarters of most well-known auto brands for the Chinese market.

Source: Xinhua