Photo: Ford
While the Ford SVT Raptor is not officially sold in China, and it never will be, really, it has acquired a surprising fan base, in the PRC. The Chinese buyers get the pickups through a legal network of ‘grey market’ importers, who get them from the States.
Now, while it may have a starting price of $43,340, in the US, the Raptor can end up costing as much as $160,000 in China - almost four times more! However, some used models are cheaper, hovering around the $109,000 mark. Even so, demand for the 6.2-liter V8 powered monster is currently surpassing the demand. Ford will never officially import it into China, though, as while there may be demand for it, it is not high enough for the American giant to invest into bringing it over offically, and yet, through the grey market, it will continue to flourish, apparently.
Still, it will always be a niche product, as only US buyers see the pickup as a lifestyle - more than just a vehicle. According to Lin Huaibin, IHS Automotive China light vehicle forecast manager, "Unlike in the U.S., the pickup is hardly associated with a symbol of lifestyle in China. Instead, it is mostly used for utility purposes (transporting goods) [. . .] The sales volume of pickups such as the Ford Raptor … is very small not only because of its high price, but also because of the taste of local consumers who do not see the pickup as a 'car,' per se."
Story via Detroit News
Still, it will always be a niche product, as only US buyers see the pickup as a lifestyle - more than just a vehicle. According to Lin Huaibin, IHS Automotive China light vehicle forecast manager, "Unlike in the U.S., the pickup is hardly associated with a symbol of lifestyle in China. Instead, it is mostly used for utility purposes (transporting goods) [. . .] The sales volume of pickups such as the Ford Raptor … is very small not only because of its high price, but also because of the taste of local consumers who do not see the pickup as a 'car,' per se."
Story via Detroit News
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