Hong Kong's roads clogged with supercars

[mr funny]

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/...71140,00.html?

Published December 25, 2009

Hong Kong's roads clogged with supercars

Taxes of 120 per cent won't deter the uber-rich from splurging on their favourite toys

(Hong Kong)

HONG KONG's roads look like pages ripped from a luxury car magazine.

Hundreds of ultra-flash motors from Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches to Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys inch through traffic on the city's clogged and smoggy roads.

Even taxes of 120 per cent don't deter Hong Kong's uber-rich from splashing out on the latest super-expensive 'boy's toy' - with dealers seeking to import as many supercars as they can get their hands on.

In the lead-up to Christmas, Marchy Lee's CarPro showroom contained a Lamborghini Murcielago LP650-4. There were only 50 ever made and this was the last one on sale in Asia. Price on the road? A bank account-buckling US$800,000.

Or, there's always the cheaper option, a stunning black and gold Ferrari 430 Scuderia - a snip, at US$520,000.

'You buy this car, you want to be driving on the road and for some people to take a good look,' Mr Marchy said from the Murcielago's driver's seat. 'There are a lot of supercars in Hong Kong, even though it's a very small place.

'A few successful Hong Kong businessmen own 30 or 40 supercars. They are big boys and they need to buy toys. So these are their toys.' But it's not just the boys.

Nicole Wang, a banker, zips out of a parking spot in Hong Kong city centre in her Audi R8 - worth around US$300,000 - straight into a traffic jam.

'I chose this car because it suits my character,' she said. 'It's not for middle-aged men. It's very special and very rare in Hong Kong - there are only about 50 here right now.' Many young boys like to play with toy cars, perhaps having a Ferrari, a couple of Porsches and maybe an Aston Martin parked in their toy box.

But when Terence Ku grew up, his toy box became a real garage. He owns 16 cars worth around two million dollars.

He imported a beautiful pearl white Aston Martin DBS from Britain because of his love of James Bond movies and a Ferrari 360 CS because of the engine's deep and distinctive growl.

But Porsches are his favourite. He owns six.

'I love Porsches,' Terence, said. 'But I'd put the Ferrari 458 at the top of my Xmas list, I don't mind having to wait until next year.' Terence, who owns a printing and publishing company, admits Hong Kong is not the best place for the motorist.

'It's too expensive here and it's too small. There's no good roads to drive on. That's why we get together and go away on road trips.' Many Hong Kong car enthusiasts such as Terence join clubs and often ship their pride and joy to China or Malaysia - sometimes even to Germany - so they can enjoy them properly on the open road.

Benjamin Lam, chairman of the Porsche Club Hong Kong, recently led a convoy of Porsches on a trip across China.

Bentleys and Rolls-Royces seem to be the luxury cars of choice for the 'older gentleman' in Hong Kong, as well as for hotel limousines. Hundreds of the graceful classics glide silently through the streets.

Rolls-Royce immediately sold 20 of its new Ghost when it made its debut in Hong Kong in September. The new 'smaller and more dynamic' Ghosts cost around US$550,000 on the road and are built to order to the buyer's specification.

'Hong Kong has always been an important market for Rolls-Royce,' said Jenny Zhang, general manager of Rolls-Royce Greater China.

'All our customers have one thing in common despite where they are from - they are all highly successful individuals who are passionate about the Rolls-Royce brand.'

But, says Marchy Lee: 'The tax in Hong Kong is very, very high. All cars over HK$500,000(S$91,075) are classed as luxury brands and are taxed at 120 per cent, after the first third.

'So, to buy one of these ultra-niche cars, you have to really want one - and have a lot of money.' But that hasn't stopped shoppers at Mr Marchy's small dealership - he's sold around 40 supercars since the company started almost two years ago.

And the Ferrari 430 Scuderia has already sold - somebody's having a very Happy Christmas. -- AFP

[Reporter]

馒头小贩（bun hawker）拿3万硬币（S$30,000 worth of coins）买车　百名员工数钱4小时
郑州电
中国河南郑州
星期五, 1-1-2010


河内小贩拿15万元硬币买车。- 图: 互联网

河南小贩拿人民币15万元硬币买车，车商出动100多名员工，整整数了4个多小时，数到手抽筋！

买一辆轿车是许多人的梦想，中国河南省漯河市一位卖馒头的李姓男子，日前拿了积攒10几年的15万元人民币（3万新元 S$30,000）去买车，但因为15万元通通是硬币，重量高达700公斤，车商出动100多名员工清点，整整数了4个多小时，数到手快抽筋才数完。

24日中午12时20分，李姓男子找来一辆货车载着20多袋麻袋的硬币，来到许昌市南外环一家汽车销售公司，他说是要付买车款。记者好奇地问：“你怎么会有这么多硬币？”李男回答：“俺卖馒头的，收的零钱。”根据他的说法，他多次到银行试图将硬币存起来，但银行怕麻烦一直不肯收。

汽车销售人员指出，第一次遇到这么稀奇的事，当初以为是用信用卡，不然也是百元大钞，没想到李男送来的是700公斤重的硬币，“从中午到现在，大概4个多小时才清点完毕”。据了解，李男买的是一辆约16万元（3万3000新元 S$33,000）的轿车，差额部分，他支付的是大面额纸钞。

对于汽车销售人员而言，清点这15万人民币的硬币那可是白受罪，因为里头有1元、5角，外加还得辨识真假，但他们都说，数钱数到手抽筋很幸福。当天傍晚5点多，李男很高兴拿走证件、开走轿车，汽车销售人员则累得看到硬币就头昏眼花，吃不下饭。