Viet Nam imported 3,000 cars worth US$55 million in September, up 33 per cent in volume and 18 per cent in value in August, according to the General Department of Customs.This brought the total number of automobile imports in the first nine months to 24,000 units worth.— File Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— Viet Nam imported 3,000 cars worth US$55 million in September, up 33 per cent in volume and 18 per cent in value in August, according to the General Department of Customs.

This brought the total number of automobile imports in the first nine months to 24,000 units worth $476 million, up 22.5 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively.

September's increase of car imports was attributed to the traditional shopping peak towards the end of the year, which usually begins in mid-September.

Meanwhile, the car registration fee reduction also helped drive up car sales and imports.

In July, the Ha Noi People's Council cut registration fees on new cars with fewer than 10 seats to 12 per cent. Registration fees for second-hand cars with fewer than 10 seats will remain at 2 per cent.

The current national level of 15 per cent was introduced at the beginning of April, down from the previous fee of 20 per cent.

Customs statistics showed that Viet Nam's auto imports decreased to a six-year low last year, reaching only 27,000 cars in 2012, down 50 per cent on 2011. — VNS