Romania Hopes To Scrap At Least 60,000 Cars In 2010 Clunkers Program

„Last year, we scrapped over 32,000 cars but we had an economic contraction of 7%. This year we expect economic growth of 1.3%, so we hope things go better,” Boc said at the launch of the 2010 car park renewal program.

Romania has assigned a total 228 million lei (EUR1=RON4.1287) for the clunkers program in 2010.

Romanians scrapped little over 32,000 cars older than ten years within last year’s clunkers, namely some two thirds of the overall number of vehicles the government had planned to have scrapped. The state spent nearly RON123 million on the clunkers program in 2009.

In the summer of 2009, the government extended the clunkers program by allowing an unlimited number of cars that can be scrapped by private individuals and including light vehicles in the category of vehicles than can be purchased in exchange for scrapped cars.

The government is also allowing companies to renew their car fleets within the program.

While individuals get a scrap bonus of RON3,800 to buy a new car, companies may not get more than EUR200,000 per year.

The clunkers program for this year has also been extended to cover tractors.