Some months ago, Cuba government eased the
restrictions on buying car and motorcycles. Before this, car could have been
purchased by only a few like doctors, teachers, etc brining foreign currency.
Now, any body can purchase a car from dealers (these dealerships are government
run) but the prices of cars are so ridiculously high that during the last six
months, only 50 cars could be sold from a total of 11 dealerships. The total money
received on account of these sales was around $1.3 million.
Peugeot family car that is being sold in UK for $53,000
is priced at $262,000 in Cuba. Similarly, you need to pay $42,000 for Kia Rio in
Cuba while same car can be yours for just $13,600 in USA.
These dealerships are also engaged in selling used
cars but even their prices are sky high. These are generally used as taxi and
then sold to general public and command prices that are too much considering
their conditions.
Before January, islanders who wanted to purchase a
vehicle had to acquire a "letter" of permission. The privilege was
granted to the likes of diplomats, technicians, doctors and others who served
on foreign missions and returned with hard currency saved up overseas.
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