Re: Chinese Audi connection

[harrison <hsapir@multiverse.com>]

A common practice among wholesalers and salvage dealers is to export luxury cars
(whole and wrecked) to Europe, S. America, etc. This is because of extremely high
taxes on new cars in other countries. It is hard to buy good late model wrecked
cars for parts at salvage auctions because of the prices exporters pay for these
car.

harrison



> >The other situation came about as a result of me trying to sell my 92
> >100CS.  I put it on www.classifieds2000 and www.tradeonline. I received
> >a lot of inquires by wholesalers all around the country, 90% from  the
> >west coast and ready to offer my nothing for the car, sight unseen and
> >could have a truck within the week to my location to pick it up in
> >Atlanta.  I was also talking to a dealer on a recent business trip to
> >Chicago who had a 92 100CSQ with 100k and he said they were just going
> >to wholesale it to a local dealer who ships them to China.
> >
>
> I too have heard this from someone. Unless we can positively confirm or
> deny it, I submit that this is a variation of the "Alligators in the
> Sewers!" myth - everyone knows the alligators live topside, in broad
> daylight, just daring the local muggers to try anything!
>
> >I knew this situation was common in cars like Peugeot who are popular
> >all around the world.  Was just curious if others had heard of this
> >China connection as well.  I just hope it doesn't make used Audi's
> >popular with carjackers like airbags and the current #1 stolen car,
> >which I believe is a Buick or Oldsmobile.
> >
>
> Yes, this *IS* a problem - many luxury cars from NY and Florida somehow
> seem to turn up in South America. European stolen cars either go east to
> the CIS, or south to Nigeria - they drive them across the desert - if they
> are lucky, they make it, but sometimes they get ambushed and the car is
> stolen from them - if the new thieves are in a good mood, they just dump
> the driver on the spot (right there in the Sahara desert). If they are not,
> they kill him. (!)
>
> My suggestion is to GET and USE an alarm, and think about a hidden fuel
> pump cutoff switch. Park your car in a locked garage if possible - under
> lights if not. Anyone for a thread on how to keep your car from being stolen?
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Mike Arman