China Issues “Policy on Sales and Maintenance of Smart Parking Equipment”

Amid the “suffocating” shortage of parking spaces in Chinese cities, the smart parking equipment industry has unfortunately spawned a painful downside: fierce price-cutting competition, particularly in the maintenance of mechanical parking systems—where profit margins are already thin and are being squeezed to exhaustion. To stabilize the market and protect the legitimate interests of enterprises, on November 25, 2025, the Parking Equipment Working Committee of the China Heavy Machinery Industry Association (CMH Parking) officially issued the “Policy on Sales and Maintenance of Smart Parking Equipment.“

The issuance of this policy stems from directives by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation in a document dated September 28, 2025, regarding the strict handling of disorderly low-price competition.
The policy was developed transparently and systematically through three main phases:

• October 17, 2025: CMH Parking sent out industry-wide surveys to gather opinions on sales prices and maintenance fees for parking equipment.
• November 5, 2025: An expert conference was held to review and revise the draft, focusing on establishing reasonable maintenance pricing for various types of equipment (such as lifting and transferring systems, carousel parking, multi-level garages, automated underground systems, etc.).
• November 12, 2025: At the 2025 Annual Conference of the Parking Committee, members discussed in detail each maintenance category for parking equipment and unanimously approved the final version.

The guidance pricing table (attached in the original document here) provides clear reference prices for periodic maintenance services, major overhauls, replacement of genuine parts, and technical fault resolution. Although not mandatory, this pricing table is expected to serve as a “compass” to help enterprises avoid pricing below cost, while ensuring the quality of maintenance services for end-users of smart parking systems.

The official issuance of the policy on sales and maintenance of parking equipment marks a significant step forward in efforts to build a healthy competitive environment in China. It not only serves as a tool for enterprises to set reasonable prices but also contributes to enhancing the reliability and lifespan of smart parking systems in numerous major cities. Maintenance service providers for mechanical parking equipment are recommended to thoroughly study the document to collectively drive the industry’s sustainable development in the coming period.

Meanwhile, in Vietnam, we continue to witness providers and maintainers of smart parking equipment (especially in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang) repeatedly slashing prices to win projects, often at the expense of product quality. China’s policy on pricing and maintenance of parking equipment is not merely a routine document; it sends a clear message: When the government and industry associations unite, enterprises will be protected, the market will become healthier, and ultimately, the public will benefit (through safety, stability, etc.). It is hoped that in the not-too-distant future, Vietnam will take similar steps—to ensure that genuine, high-quality smart parking enterprises can survive and thrive sustainably.