The parallel import car trade center at Shanghai FTZ opens on Feb 15, attracting a range of visitors and purchasers. [Photo/Xinhua]

The parallel import car showcase and trade center at Shanghai (Pilot) Free Trade Zone opened on Feb 15, providing more choices for car purchasers.

The trade center operates under the "parallel import" scheme, which allows qualified auto dealers registered in the zone to sell imported cars, in a move to prevent car price hikes. The price of such automobiles imported directly from carmakers is about 15 percent to 20 percent lower than those in 4S shops, according to auto dealers.

In the showcase room, 15 sample foreign luxury car brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are on display, and customers can pick up the cars right after the purchase, which saves time and hassle.

A comprehensive maintenance center will be built near the free trade zone to provide after-sales service for cars sold through the parallel import scheme. The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and the Shanghai Free Trade Zone administrative committee jointly put forward the parallel import scheme on Jan 7.