So, while last year buyers of new cars saved up to EUR2,000 through the clunkers scheme by buying three vouchers from the market, now, because of their high prices, customers save EUR800 at the most. The nominal value of the voucher is RON3,800 (EUR860).
The rise in the price of vouchers traded comes as the authority in charge (AFM) issued only 30,000 vouchers, which have almost run out. In fact, former environment minister Attila Korodi said at the end of last month that scheme could be suspended at the current volume this year because of the lack of funds. Last year, the authority issued 120,000 vouchers and in 2010 – 190,000. In all, the state has spent over EUR380 million so far, with the program first starting in 2005.
“We have already reanalyzed the situation on the market and estimate there will be 60,000 vouchers in 2012 at the most. If it stops here, we will lose at least 5,000 private customers, which means this year we will have 95,000 registered cars instead of the 100,000 originally estimated,” said Henrik Nenzen, managing director of Ford Romania.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)