People participate in an auction of government vehicles in Beijing on March 18.[Photo/Xinhua]

People participate in an auction of government vehicles in Beijing on March 18.[Photo/Xinhua]

People participate in an auction of government vehicles in Beijing on March 18.[Photo/Xinhua]

A total of 100 official vehicles went under the gavel on March 18, marking the start of four auctions of the second batch of official vehicles impounded by the central government.

The cars were sold for a total of over 9 million yuan ($1.45 million).

The auctioned vehicles include Passats and Lincolns, according to the website of Rocar, one of the three auction houses.

The cars are among more than 3,000 taken out of service as part of reform measures that began last July, aimed at slashing official spending.

A total of 300 vehicles, making up the entire first batch, were auctioned off before the Chinese New Year, which fell on Feb. 19.

The funds raised by the auctions will go to the central treasury.

According to guidelines, government vehicles can only be used for special services, such as intelligence communication and emergencies, and not for regular government affairs.

The central government’s measures were introduced in 2014 and local governments are required to fully implement them this year.