A little more than half of interviewees plan to buy cars within three years, according to a survey of 225 locals, the Jiefang Daily reported today.

More than 80 percent of respondents are preferring to purchase domestic cars, with 45.85 percent choosing to buy cars priced between 60,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan (US$7,200 - US$12,000), and 31.44 percent of interviewees opting to purchase cars priced between 110,000 yuan and 150,000 yuan.

According to the survey, 20.71 percent of respondents cited high car prices as the main reason for them not to buy cars currently, 15.96 percent considered the license plate prices too high, 9.89 percent thought it too difficult to find parking places, 9.23 percent considered it inconvenient for maintenance and 8.71 percent complained about traffic jams.

(eastday.com April 20, 2004)