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Shanghai motorists spend more

By Mark South and Wang Lan (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-09-20 13:39

Finally, there's news that local residents have been waiting for - a survey confirming the city as more expensive than Beijing.

For years, Shanghai's citizens have raised eyebrows at stories the capital is pricier than their famously exorbitant hometown, but now the city's motorists have struck a blow for what millions have known all along.

In a study by US market research company ACNielsen, Shanghai finally showed its true colours and proved more expensive than its northern rival, at least in one key sector.

Auto owners in the city splash out an average 1,360 yuan (US$170) every month to keep their cars on the road, an online survey of 1,862 car owners across the country found, compared to an average 1,200 yuan (US$150) in Beijing.

"I knew Shanghai was more expensive than Beijing, especially for things like parking fees," said Edward Zhao a 35-year-old translator in Shanghai.

"The price of major products like cars is probably quite similar, I think it's Shanghai's service costs that make the difference. I might buy a car in the future but everyone I know that has one complains about the running costs all the time."