Sunshine good for countryside economy, but not ecology: Environmentalists

As China's global auto market continues to grow, so too does the nation's urgency to update emissions standards.

So far, three emission categories have been rolled out across the country, with Beijing the only city currently employing the China 4 standard, which was introduced as part of plans to cut air pollution ahead of the Olympic Games last summer.

Minivan brands like the Wuling Sunshine are bestsellers in rural areas and perfect for small firms on a limited budget. But as the majority only meet China 3 standard, which is equivalent to Euro 3, they may still pose a serious threat to the ecology of the countryside.