33-Meter Long Sunseeker Predator 108 Special Edition Expected To Arrive In China Within The Month#
Following government moves to develop China's southeastern Hainan province into a luxury travel mecca, yacht makers from around the world have increased their presence and outreach in the Chinese market. While yachting is -- and will continue to be -- very much a niche activity reserved for the precious few, the potential that companies like Sunseeker and (the now Chinese-owned) Dalla Pieta see spread out among China's 1.3+ billion people apparently has them bullish about their prospects in coastal southern China, not least in Hainan.
Today, Chinese media reports that the Chinese real estate company Dalian Wanda Group has purchased a 33-meter Sunseeker Predator 108 Special Edition yacht, a new model the company debuted at this year's London International Boat Show. When this model arrives in China later this month, it will be the country's largest-ever imported yacht. From Xinhua (translation by Jing Daily team):
According to reports, following its debut at this year's London International Boat Show, the Sunseeker Predator 108 Special Edition has become one of the world's most sought-after yachts. The model purchased by the Dalian Wanda Group will be the first in China, and is expected to be delivered this month.
The President of Sunseeker China, Traugott Kaminski, said that as the number of high-income individuals in China grows, yachts will gradually become part of the Chinese way of life. As the first imported yacht brand to enter the China market, Sunseeker has seven years of market experience providing sales, importing, and specialized repair services.
This year, Sunseeker has already sold seven luxury yachts in China.
The article fails to note how much Dalian Wanda paid for their Predator 108, but a Luxuo article on the same model from earlier this year puts its price at a cool US$11.3 million. (Although we expect it's much higher than that after factoring in transportation fees and China's luxury tax.)
Now the question is: who exactly at the Dalian Wanda Group will have access to the yacht?