World Economic Forum

How Transport is Changing in China

Why car owners in China’s mega-cities are rethinking the value of car ownership.

By Ray Tsang and Pierre-Henri Boutot

First published on Ιουνίου 22, 2015
min read


This article originally appeared in the World Economic Forum. Car owners in China’s mega-cities are rethinking the value of car ownership. As rapid urbanization transforms China’s urban mobility landscape, car owners are increasingly forced to contend with deteriorating driving conditions and tighter regulations, making car ownership in these large urban areas more expensive and less convenient and safe—hence, less attractive. At the same time, major infrastructure investment has made public transportation more accessible and convenient, while new mobility services and solutions like car sharing are being introduced—although still unfamiliar to many Chinese consumers. According to a survey of car owners from six Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities in China, select segments would consider giving up their cars if conditions continue to decline. Respondents identified trends like deteriorating driving conditions and tighter regulations as detracting from car ownership. They also cited improved public transportation, taxi availability, car rental accessibility and the emergence of new mobility solutions as contributing factors in their willingness to give up their cars. *Read the full article in the World Economic Forum.*

This article originally appeared in the World Economic Forum.

Car owners in China’s mega-cities are rethinking the value of car ownership. As rapid urbanization transforms China’s urban mobility landscape, car owners are increasingly forced to contend with deteriorating driving conditions and tighter regulations, making car ownership in these large urban areas more expensive and less convenient and safe—hence, less attractive.

At the same time, major infrastructure investment has made public transportation more accessible and convenient, while new mobility services and solutions like car sharing are being introduced—although still unfamiliar to many Chinese consumers.

According to a survey of car owners from six Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities in China, select segments would consider giving up their cars if conditions continue to decline. Respondents identified trends like deteriorating driving conditions and tighter regulations as detracting from car ownership. They also cited improved public transportation, taxi availability, car rental accessibility and the emergence of new mobility solutions as contributing factors in their willingness to give up their cars.

Read the full article in the World Economic Forum.