Authorities in Shanghai are now allowing "parallel imported" vehicles into the city's pilot Free Trade Zone.

The parallel import scheme means some companies can now import cars directly from abroad without the need to be authorized by any particular car-maker.

Currently, all imported cars must be brought in through a general distributor, which is often set up by the car manufacturers.

That gives car-makers absolute power over car pricing.

An industry survey conducted last year shows imported cars are selling in China at a price two to three times higher than what they are being sold abroad.

But high prices have prompted the country's top economic regulators to launch anti-trust probes into a number of foreign carmakers.

Analysts say the parallel scheme will see a price difference of 10 to 20 percent between that of the direct imported ones and those being sold by car-makers' own China dealers.

However, doubts remain with the after-sale services of those the directly imported cars.

For more on the scheme, we're now joined live with CRI Financial Commentator Cao Can.