UPDATE: Russian ministry mulls forbidding use of old cars

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MOSCOW, Aug 14 (PRIME) -- The Russian Industry and Trade Ministry is considering an idea of the State Duma, parliament’s lower chamber, to ban the use of old cars, a spokesperson told PRIME on Wednesday.

“Yes, the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry has indeed received the recommendations,” the official said, adding that the idea is discussed.

“Concerning several restrictive proposals, according to the Industry and Trade Ministry, ousting of old cars, which is confirmed by international experience, must be made by economic, technical and organizational measures, and also incentives for the car owners to buy new, environmentally better vehicles.”

Car producers Kamaz and Nissan supported the initiative, Nissan PR-Director Roman Skolsky and Kamaz represenative Oleg Afanasyev told PRIME. Director for marketing and PR of Mitsubishi’s official distributor MMC Rus Ilya Nikonorov said that prohibition to drive old cars would benefit producers but hurt car owners and has to be drawn with attention to detail.

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