Clunkers program resumes on March 18, now open to public institutions in Romania

The 2011 edition of the national cash-for-clunkers program will begin on March 18 and will be open to public bodies, which were banned from buying new cars in 2010, according to Romanian Environment Minister Laszlo Borbely. The minister also said that, according to Police data, there are 300,000-400,000 cars older than ten years registered in Romania. Romanians scrapped 190,000 old cars and bought 63,000 new cars through the clunkers program last year, nearly half of which were locally made. Last year's clunkers program had a budget of EUR 169 million. As part of the program, owners received a voucher worth RON 3,800 for each scrapped car, but only up to three vouchers could be used to buy a new car. Sources: Mediafax, Romania-Insider.com