Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 581 Imported Cars

Xiao Wei asked, "What kind of car is a smuggled car?"

Factory Director Li said, "It's foreign cars. More than half of the foreign cars in China now are smuggled in. Less than 10,000 come in through legitimate channels each year. Look at how many there are in Beijing and Tianjin. Did they just come in by chance? That's the thing. Everyone knows it, and nobody cares."

Xiao Wei asked, "Why do you smuggle?"

Factory Director Li said, "The profit margin is huge. A 140 Tiger Head truck only sells for around $100,000 overseas, but if it were imported legally, it would sell for around three million after adding all the taxes and fees. Just think how many times that is! Money blinds people, who dares to interfere? That would be a matter of life and death."

Xiao Wei was taken aback and said, "That's a big difference? My Omega A, which costs over 500,000, would only cost a little over 100,000 if it were smuggled? And what about a Ferrari? How much does a Ferrari that sells for over 700,000 cost?"

Section Chief Han asked, "You want to buy a Ferrari? Did you read the newspaper? That car isn't as good as you think, it's so ugly."

Xiao Wei said, "My buddy's got his eye on them and says he'll buy three. I was even planning to buy a few more luxury cars to show off, but what you guys are saying has really made me unsure. How should I buy them?"

Section Chief Han thought for a moment and said, "I'll ask for you, but you'll have to go back and complete the paperwork yourself. Is that alright?"

Xiao Wei said, "Can you help me with the paperwork? There shouldn't be any problem with the paperwork. I'm not stealing or robbing. Is it new? I don't want a used one. The car has to be good, high-end enough, otherwise I'll become a laughing stock if I drive it around and people point fingers at me."

Although Xiaowei felt that his Omega was fine to drive, it was someone else's car after all, and since he was going to change cars anyway, he wanted to get a brand new one.

Section Chief Han said, "We're practically family now, so to be honest, the cars that come in fall into several categories. One type is used cars, either cars that people have driven and don't want anymore, or stolen cars, which we clean up and bring in to sell. These are the cheapest. Then there's CKD (Completely Knocked Down), where we bring in parts and assemble them, just like in our factory, but we don't have any high-end cars like that."

The third type is the cut-up car, which is the most common type of smuggled car in China. A car is cut into several pieces, brought in separately, welded back together, reassembled, and repainted. These cars are usually mid-to-high-end cars. However, we wouldn't dare to buy these, as their safety is definitely a bit compromised.

The fourth type involves importing entire vehicles, both new and used, primarily mid-to-high-end cars. For new cars, the selling price is roughly double that of imported vehicles. It's not exactly cheap, but it's definitely much cheaper than importing through official channels. For example, the 140 Tiger Head mentioned earlier would cost around 1.4 to 1.5 million.

Xiao Wei said, "I'll take the fourth one. We can discuss the price later. Safety is our top priority, and we want a good brand. Do you have any?"

Section Chief Han glanced at Factory Director Li, grunted, and said, "I can ask around for you. This matter can't be discussed outside, you understand? It's not a pleasant thing to say, after all, it's illegal."

Xiao Wei said, "Don't worry, why would I say these things? As long as I have a good car, that's enough."

Factory Director Li coughed, stood up, and said, "You all talk, I'll go and get the contract sorted out." This hotel has printing equipment, it's not open to the public, but it's definitely fine for government agencies to use.

After Director Li left, Section Chief Han said with a smile, "The leader is trying to avoid suspicion; this kind of thing won't sound good if word gets out. Buddy, if you really want it, I'll help you get it done. To be honest, we have some connections in the car factory business. A lot of cars that come in are registered here before leaving. As for connections, those who get into this business are all capable people."

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "Really, I'm not kidding. We need three sports cars and three sedans, and they have to be high-end, the kind that's grand and luxurious."

Section Chief Han lit a cigarette for Xiao Wei, thought for a moment, and said, "What brand of sports car do you want? There are plenty of good sports cars abroad. That Ferrari isn't really that good; it's really ugly. There are several factories in Italy that produce sports cars, and they're no worse than it. To be honest, there are quite a few cars in America that are similar to it, and they're all prettier."

Xiao Wei said, "Anyway, a good car, red, convertible, etc., doesn't necessarily have to be from the same brand. I don't know much about this, including sedans. Since we're cooperating, I believe you can't fool me. Just give me some advice."

Section Chief Han asked, "What color do you want for the car?"

Xiao Wei said, "I'm driving a purple one now. One of my buddies likes bright red, and the other likes a bright blue one. You decide what to do. I'll check out the car first, okay?"

Xiao Hong said, "Since it's a car for you to drive and for the company to use, it should be a dark color, something more serious."

Section Chief Han said, "Okay, I'll ask for you. I'll make a call." He stood up and went to the side to make a call. Xiao Wei asked Xiao Liu, "Liu, do you have a few cars?" At that time, the police station was seriously short of cars. It was a little better in Fengtian. No matter whether they were new or old, each station had two or three cars to run. Most police stations in the cities below didn't even have motorcycles, let alone cars.

Xiao Liu was taken aback for a moment, then pointed at his nose and asked, "Me? Get a car? Or is it the office?"

Xiao Wei said, "Your institute doesn't necessarily need cars; actually, bread is more practical. I'm asking if you'd consider getting one for yourself?"

Xiao Liu asked, "Are you planning to sell me or pay for it?"

Xiao Wei said, "I'll pay for it for you first."

Xiao Liu shook his head vigorously, saying, "No, I can't afford it. I only make a little over four hundred to five hundred a month. Even if I gave you all my money, it would take me ten or twenty years to buy a new car. I can't afford that!" Back then, the salaries of police officers and civil servants were not high, not much different from those of factory workers. Of course, this did not include other income.

Gazi said, "Cars are too expensive, they're just out of reach. I'd rather save up and get a motorcycle."

Section Chief Han walked over and sat down, saying, "Right now, we only have one sports car from Honda, and I doubt you'd want it. Sports cars are rare, and there aren't many people who own them. We have two Cadillacs, the cars the US president drives, brand new, unopened. Want one? Oh, and we also have a Mercedes W463, brand new. It's a brand new Mercedes that came out last year, an SUV. Want one? I suggest you drive this from now on; it's impressive, a manly car."

Xiao Hong asked, "How much does it cost?"

Section Chief Han said, "A Cadillac costs sixteen dollars, and a W463 costs twenty dollars."

Xiao Hong did the math and said, "Two million seven hundred thousand? What kind of car is the W463 that's so expensive?"

Section Chief Han said, "Young lady, this is the price we're getting, it's an internal price. It'll be much more expensive on the market, but it's definitely a great car."

Xiao Hong said, "Isn't the Mercedes-Benz W14 supposed to be a top-of-the-line car? It's only 120,000."

(End of this chapter)