A Chinese developer is offering BMWs to buyers of its apartments, as the country's cash-strapped real estate industry struggles to boost sales after government restrictions squeezed demand. The owner of Central Mansions, a huge housing development comprising nine tower blocks in the eastern Chinese city of Yueqing, will give away a BMW for the first 150 buyers, a sales consultant told AFP by telephone Thursday.
"There are still a few cars left. First come, first served," said the consultant, who declined to be named. Demand for apartments has been falling across China after authorities, fearing a property bubble, banned the purchase of second homes, increased minimum down payments and trailed property taxes in some cities. At the same time, property developers have been hit by a lack of funds, as the government hiked interest rates and restricted bank lending to rein in surging inflation and bring real estate prices into line.