They added the program has proved inefficient over the past years when the country’s vehicle fleet has been getting older.
“We are in favor of a clunkers program in 2014, too, but we want it to be its last year. To be effective, the program has to start in mid February instead of June as it did this year,” APIA head Ernest Popovici said.
“We also agree to a EUR1,500 scrappage bonus and a similar volume of vouchers to 2013, that is 20,000 vouchers.”
Almost 470,000 clunkers have been scrapped and 216,000 news cars have been sold since the start of the program in 2005.
The announcement about the discontinuation of the program comes after an almost 10% decline of the market compared with 2012, so 2013 is the sixth year of decline in a row.
“Why are we in favor of the clunkers program in 2014, as well? Because despite the positive macroeconomic signals, we can’t see any progress towards an increase in consumer spending and purchasing power,” said Brent Valmar, APIA vice-chairman and also the general manager of Porsche Romania, the largest importer on the local market.
“The continuation of the program next year will provide support to the industry and help offset the flat purchasing power.”
Most companies in the car business in Romania expect the market to be flat in 2014, with about 60,000 to 65,000 new cars sold.
“Things will improve somewhat, economy-wise as of 2015. Announcing now that there will no longer be a clunkers program in 2015 will allow customers to reposition to the new market conditions,” Valmar said.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)