Kenyans won’t afford used cars with new rules – importers

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Imported second hand cars in Mombasa. photo/GEORGE AOKO

Imported second hand cars in Mombasa. photo/GEORGE AOKO

In Summary

  • 98 percent of motor vehicle buyers purchase those between 7 and 8 years due to their affordability.
  • Only 2 percent of Kenyans go for vehicles below 6 years.
  • The the move to restrict age limit is likely to increase prices of imported cars by over 50 percent.

The Car Importers Association has criticized a government proposal to reduce age limit of used cars imported to Kenya to five years.

According to Chairman Peter Otieno, 98 percent of motor vehicle buyers purchase those between 7-8 years because of affordability.

He said only 2 percent of Kenyans go for vehicles below six years.

Mr. Otieno maintains that the move to reduce age limit will increase prices of used imported cars by over 50 percent.

Mr. Otieno further added that the taxman stands to lose over Ksh.12billion if Parliament endorses the proposal.

The number of used car imports is at 23,000 units on a monthly basis and the move is likely to reduce the number to 4,000 units, he told Citizen TV on Thursday.

Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Aden Mohamed has proposed the reduction of the second hand cars age limit to boost the local motor vehicle manufacturing industries in the country.

[“Source-citizentv”]