Gu Jia/Shanghai Daily news

On November 19, the 11th private auto license auction will see the release of 5,700 plates, 300 less than last month, according to the organisers.
As a reaction to the record-high winning bid last July, which came in at 40,000 yuan (US$4,836.75), the relevant administration has been increasing the quota of available private auto plates since August. 
This measure inevitably led to a decline in bidding prices, which averaged only 26,385 yuan in October.
Subsequently, many local auto dealers commented that the auto sales market was not active enough, and they didn't expect much change to winning bid prices at this month's auction.
There is, however, some positive news from the second-hand auto exchange market on Zhongshan Rd North.
The failed bidders of last month, many of whom have already purchased cars, thronged to the market for returned plates from the second hand cars that are registered out of town.
"Though the price for a used auto plate has increased to 30,000 yuan, " said one dealer in the market, " demand is still outstipping supply. "