Romanians have purchased almost 13,400 cars so far through the Cash-for-Clunkers 2013 (Rabla) program, while some 19,900 cars older than 10 years have been crushed, according to data provided by the Environment Fund Administration (AFM), quoted by local agency Agerpres.

The average age of the cars crushed during the program was 22.5 years.

In a first phase, AFM allocated RON 135 million (some EUR 30 million) for 20,000 Rabla tickets in 2013, with an extra 3,000 vouchers issued in November.

The Cash-for-Clunkers program is meant to replace cars older than 10 years, while offering buyers a discount for buying a new car.

In 2012, Romania's national car fleet reached 5.7 million units, over half of which were older than 10 years, according to the Driving License and Vehicle Registration Department (DRPCIV).

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com