Shenzhen, a special economic zone and a major vehicle trade port in south China's Guangdong Province, witnessed a recovery in motor vehicle arrivals last year, as against a continuous downturn over the 2002-2004 period.

According to local customs sources, Shenzhen imported 17,700 motor vehicles in 2005, a year-on-year increase of 21.3 percent from 2004.

Imports of luxury cars totaled 7,825, and offroad vehicle imports amounted to 3,698, a rise of 37 percent, 17.1 percentage points higher than that for cars.

Most of the motor vehicle imports came from European and American nations.

The customs sources said 12,192 motor vehicles, or 68.9 percent of the total, were bought from Germany, Sweden, the United States and other European and American countries.

The port imported 3,411 motor vehicles from Japan last year, the customs sources added.

On January 1, 2005, China terminated the quota limits on import of motor vehicles.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2006)