Taiwan mulls curbing Chinese cars imported from third countries
Under current regulations, the import of fully assembled vehicles from China is already prohibited.
Taiwan is evaluating measures to restrict the import of Chinese-branded vehicles from third countries, following local media reports that BYD is planning to enter the Taiwanese market by shipping cars assembled in Thailand.
'Based on considerations of national security, vehicle safety, information security and industrial development, the government will strictly prevent Chinese-branded automobile from entering the Taiwanese market through various channels,' Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a statement on Aug 5.
Under current regulations, the import of fully assembled vehicles from China is already prohibited, the statement added.
Vehicles assembled in Taiwan using Chinese components must meet a localisation threshold to be eligible for sale in the local market, it said.
The statement followed a Mirror Media report citing unidentified sources that BYD is working with Taikoo Motors Group, which has a Taiwan dealership, to import vehicles assembled in Thailand.
Two models have reportedly already been sent to Taiwan for safety certification.
BYD is increasingly seeking growth abroad as the domestic Chinese market has become saturated with hundreds of players engaging in unsustainable price wars. BYD and Taikoo did not immediately respond to requests from Bloomberg News for comment. BLOOMBERG
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