Parallel imports treble on COE, Vezel boom

Singapore

REGISTRATIONS of parallel-imported (PI) cars trebled in the first six months of this year, outpacing the rest of the auto market with explosive growth.

The number of PI cars registered between January and June was 10,082, a 210 per cent jump from the 3,256 units in the corresponding period last year.

By contrast, the total industry volume - all new cars put on the road in the first half of 2016 - climbed only 68 per cent to 43,423 units.

The H1 surge in the grey market was driven mainly by the Honda Vezel's immense popularity, as the PI industry rode on steadily exp…