The Chinese government introduced an additional tax on top end luxury cars at the beginning of December as it continues to target the excesses of the country's super-rich.

Cars with a price tag of CNY13m (US$188,000) or more are now subject to an additional luxury tax of 10% of the final list price.

China's ministry of finance said the additional levy is to help lower emissions, save energy and to "guide reasonable consumption", according to local reports.

The government is clearly concerned about ostentatious manifestations of wealth in a country where income and wealth disparity is growing rapidly.

Local market analysts do not expect the additional 10% tax will have a significant impact on this segment of the market, however, given the fact that it is the least price-sensitive of all segments of the market.

Among the brands most affected by the tax increase are Bentley, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin and Ferrari which represent a very small proportion of China's 26m-unit annual automotive market.

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