(Yicai) Oct. 9 -- China's Ministry of Commerce said the country is weighing increasing tariffs on imported large-displacement fuel vehicles.

China is ready to take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its industries and enterprises, a ministry spokesperson said yesterday.

The tariff rate for imported cars in China is 15 percent. The number of imported gasoline passenger vehicles with an engine displacement of 2.5 liters or more reached 119,200 units in the seven months ended July 31, accounting for over 30 percent of total passenger car imports, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.

German cars make up a significant portion of large-displacement fuel vehicle imports to China, Zhao Yongsheng, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics's Academy of China Open Economy Studies, told Yicai. In contrast, French cars primarily focus on small-displacement models, and their exports and operations in China are not very promising, Zhao added.

The underlying reasons are related to the types of models French carmakers offer in China and the degree of localization and adaptation to the Chinese market, Zhao pointed out.

Sales of French auto brands in China fell 19.1 percent to 28,500 units in the first half of this year from a year earlier, with their market share in the Chinese passenger car market dropping to 0.3 percent, according to data released by the CPCA.

On Aug. 23, the Ministry of Commerce said it met with representatives from auto industry organizations, research institutions, and companies to hear opinions and suggestions from experts and scholars on increasing tariffs on imported large-displacement fuel vehicles.

Editor: Martin Kadiev