New cars registrations dropped 7.5% to 266,650 units from 288,385 units in January-November 2007, the ministry’s Division for Drivers’ Licenses and Car Registration said.
In November alone, used-cars registrations tripled on the year to 41,087 units, while new cars registrations dropped roughly 53% to 13,715 units from 29,231 units in November 2007.
Overall car registrations rose 27.4% in the first eleven months to 512,823 units from 402,434 units in the similar period of last year.
The Romanian authorities decided to triple as of December 15 the pollution tax for used cars to boost new car sales and aid the local auto industry.
The government decree triggered a series of protests from both buyers and used-cars dealerships.