PI (Parallel Import)
A parallel import, or PI car, is a vehicle imported into Singapore by a dealer who is not the official authorised distributor for that brand.
What it means
PI cars are typically sourced from markets where the same model is sold at lower prices, then imported into Singapore through independent dealers. The car itself is mechanically identical to the authorised-dealer equivalent in most cases, since they are manufactured in the same factory. Differences usually appear at the edges: specification trim levels (PI cars may be sourced from a different home market with slightly different equipment), warranty coverage (often shorter or covered by the PI dealer's own warranty programme rather than the manufacturer's), and resale value (slightly lower than authorised-dealer equivalents, all else equal). For European cars, the most relevant practical question is who will service the car, since some authorised dealers limit warranty servicing on PI cars. Independent specialists like Revol Carz Garage have always serviced PI cars on the same OEM-parts basis as authorised-dealer cars.
Why it matters in Singapore
PI cars can save Singapore buyers a meaningful amount up-front, especially on European marques. The trade-off is mostly on the warranty and dealer-service side rather than on the car itself. Knowing those trade-offs in advance is what separates a sensible PI purchase from a regret.
How Revol Carz handles this
Revol Carz Garage services PI European cars on the same OEM-parts basis as authorised-dealer cars, using brand-specific diagnostic tools that are not tied to the manufacturer's warranty network. PI ownership does not change how we service the car.