The Association "Russian Automotive Dealers" (ROAD) has proposed increasing the transport tax for cars older than 15 years and introducing mandatory technical inspections for them twice a year. According to the association, this should stimulate the purchase of new cars. However, the idea has sparked sharp criticism from experts and motorists.
Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Za Rulem", compared this initiative to an attempt to forcibly relocate people from old apartments to business-class housing by sharply increasing utility bills. He believes that even with a recycling program and a surcharge from the state, an old car cannot be exchanged for a new one — the price difference is too great.
Automotive expert Yegor Vasiliev also does not believe in the effectiveness of this measure: according to him, Russians do not buy new cars not out of spite, but due to a lack of money. He believes that such proposals will only reduce the market and make owning a car even more expensive.
The "National Automobile Union" (NAS) notes that ROAD's initiative reflects the "predatory grin of capitalism" and demonstrates a detachment from reality: sellers shift the industry's problems onto the shoulders of consumers, and then are surprised by the negative reaction.
Auto expert Denis Gavrilov adds that such a measure is more likely to lead to an increase in activity in the secondary market, rather than an increase in sales of new cars. Moreover, the cost of cars close to 15 years of age may decrease, which will hit owners.
Independent expert Alexey Tuzov admits that in theory, raising the tax could speed up the renewal of the car fleet. However, without compensation mechanisms — for example, government recycling programs or subsidies — the initiative will only result in an additional financial burden and increased social tension.
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