Vietnam imported more than 72,500 four-wheeled vehicles worth over US$1.66 billion from January to September 15.

Statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that 30,100 auto imports, worth nearly $500 million, were vehicles that have fewer than nine seats, 1,400 higher than that of 2015.

Each of the fewer-than-nine-seater cars costs around $16,000 this year, while the price was $11,750 on average last year.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs said that in recent times, most fewer-than-nine-seater car imports have been those having a cylinder volume of 1.5 liters or less thanks to the tax reduction in the new taxation policy taking effect on July 1.

In July only, more than 5,100 autos of the kind were imported into the country, a 46 percent increase in import rates compared to June.