A few days ago, we reported the Russian government was considering bringing back its cash for clunkers program to help spur domestic auto sales in the face of Western sanctions. The government as since decided to go forward with the scheme.
Reuters reports the Kremlin will pledge P10 billion ($273 million USD) for the program, which is expected to subsidize over 170,000 new vehicles at a minimum discount of P40,000 ($1,086) for scrapping a passenger car, and P350,000 ($9,506) on up for commercial vehicles. Additional discounts from P40,000 to P300,000 ($1,086 – $8,148) will be made to consumers who trade-in vehicles six years of age or older.
The new program begins September 1, and will run through to the end of the year. A decision to revive the program in 2015 will be made no earlier than the middle of September of that year, according to Industry Minister Denis Manturov, and will be based on market conditions at that point in time.
Whenever I sit on the sidewalk, I get picked up by pretty blonde women in green Russian cars as well.
I think that’s his hotrod… He’s one cool dude.
Here’s an industry that has pull on autocrat Putin.
How about Vodka for clunkers – get more drunks off the road?
The government would go broke.
There wouldn’t be enough vodka in Russia to do that….. *g*
Someone save the weird old Russian cars!
So, a Volga or Zhiguli would be a clunker but a Siber would not be…?
I like the looks of these cars. I really do. Their simple and clean lines do it for me. Plus that grill! Doesn’t exist anymore. Cool green, too.
“Come on, baby, we can be an item! I promise I won’t give you any more headaches than this outdated Fiat, I mean, Lada here…!”
Back when that ad was made, the car was considered fairly modern and well equipped. Too bad it was 40 years ago.
My dad’s friend had a 1979 Lada 2103 like in the photo, except in a mustard yellow with a purple/red vinyl interior. Compared to the 1990s-2000s productions, the Soviet cars have pretty impressive build quality. Good chrome plating, sturdy plastics.
When he wore that car out, the 1990s era 2106 that replaced it (also quad headlights) received the old car’s headrest-less vinyl buckets.
These things are a hoot to drive. Manual steering, very precise gearshift. RWD and very light weight. Long travel suspension is great for rally-wannabes tearing around on the endless dirt roads that Russia has to offer.
I rode in one once. Loved it. Drove those 90s Nivas. Yes, soft spot for Ladas.
The Russian economy is the ultimate clunker. How much are they offering for that?
One invasion and a mercy killing?
The Lada in the photo has a Finland license plate, not Russia…if anyone cares.
Great catch! The pic did look a little too Western. That explains it.
If it were shot in Scandinavia today you could tell from all the burquas.
“In Soviet Russia, clunkers cash YOU!”