CHINA NOW DOMINATES the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.
Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep.
However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.
Representatives from European body FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens, fiva.org) met with the Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, Shen Qiuping, in December 2023 to discuss the future of the classic car movement, and in April FIVA President Tiddo Bresters was invited to the China International Classic Car Industry Outlook Conference held in Haikou, Hainan, an island province in the southernmost region of China. Joining him was Sheng Qiuping, while delegates included Xu Xingfeng, Director of the Consumer Promotion Department of the Ministry of Commerce, and Gui'an Zong, President of the Classic Vehicle Union of China (CUVC).
The conference aimed to define what a classic car was, ponder political reform and foster international cooperation. Bresters said in the aftermath: 'While the Chinese authorities are taking a suitably cautious approach to legislative changes not least because of environmental concerns - there is definitely a sea-change in attitudes towards historic vehicles.
This change has been slow and measured. After all, it is only in the past few years that China has opened up to any classic cars at all.
Until 2019 the importation of any secondhand car was strictly banned; from that point on only cars more than 100 years old could be brought into the country.
Bu hikaye Octane dergisinin September 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Octane dergisinin September 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Jem Marsh
The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully
Vandamm House
A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing
Making light
Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates
Before the beginning
This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration
Ben Cussons
As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it
Flying the Scottish flag
Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO
Audi Tradition has unveiled the Auto Union Type 52 Schnellsportwagen - only 90 years since it was designed. Glen Waddington takes an exclusive ride with Hans-Joachim Stuck
