When General Motors announced this month that it might sell Hummer, the brand of military-style sport utility vehicle whose sales have plummeted in the west, it seemed that soaring oil prices were halting the era of the big, gas-guzzling car.

Drivers in China have other ideas, however. Even though GM does not officially sell Hummers in China, a booming grey market has developed. In Beijing alone, more than 15 car dealers are selling the tank-like vehicles to China's army of new car-buyers.