Buyers swamp car markets before rise

Wang Xin was all-smiles as she drove off in her first car, bought at the Yayuncun auto trade market in north Beijing yesterday.

"I feel pretty lucky to get my favorite car today and with such a big tax discount," said the 26-year-old travel agent about her new wheels, an 80,000 yuan orange Suzuki Swift.

Wang was among many car buyers who rushed to snap up last-minute bargains, one day after the government decided to increase the vehicle purchase tax for low-emission cars from Jan 1 next year in its latest move to aid economic recovery.