Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Peru's average car 18 years old

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Even though the average age of a vehicle in Peru is one of the oldest in Latin America, there are currently laws in congress that would extend the right some companies have to fix and sell used vehicles.

These companies fix and repair cars brought to the Andean country through the region of Tacna and currently have permission to do so until December 17.

According to Correo newspaper, if approved, congressional bills could extend these licenses to last until 2022.

Peru is one of the countries in Latin America that has some of the oldest vehicles said the vice president of the Peru Automotive Association Edwin Derteano, explaining that the average vehicle was 18 years old.

Furthermore, Derteano said the country's old cars were being replaced by new ones at a slow rate, affirming that with a population of 27.5 million, Peru had only purchased 51,017 new cars in 2007.

Ecuador on the other hand, which has a population of 13.6 million people, purchased 95,124 new vehicles in 2007.

These old vehicles are the main cause of traffic accidents and pollution said Derteano.

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# Viracocha says :
10 November, 2008 [ 15:14 ]

I can understand the reluctance of Peruanas to buy new cars...1) Minor & major accidents are so frequent that the insurance premiums must be too expensive. 2) If you survived with no altercations, then some bandito would steal & strip it within a matter of 24 hours and sell the parts back into the market.
WHY BOTHER !!
Two of my brother-in-law in Peru have often told me that.

# SA says :
10 November, 2008 [ 16:17 ]

Sadly Peru is not a nation of laws.  While there are laws on the books the Peruvian government is sadly unwilling and/or unable to enforce them.

# QZ says :
10 November, 2008 [ 21:28 ]

Peru was different just 7-10 years ago, were I would agree with the 1st comment here.  Now, however, we are in a new age so to say, as to where the "STRIPPING" and such of cars is Less frequent.  Peru is still a 3rd world nation with high levels of peverty.  Anytime you mix the two, you will always have persons looking for a way to get extra cash.  Not only does this occur here in Peru, this also happens in Any Major city in the USA.

Most Importantly here is the Pollution these vehicles are causing.  I am sure that in the next 10 years, there will be MORE deaths or serious health related sickness due to this pollution than that of what is cause from Car Accidents.

Seems to me, the Peruvian Way is the ONLY WAY of doing things...  The people, a vast majority atleast, do not take well to a forigner making suggestions.  For what ever reason, I do not know why....  For these people, they express HUGE amount of love and Passion for their country, however in the same breath, they fear not the fact that pollution and the amount of TRASH lying around, will devistate their Health, Their Families and their economic status in Life.  Although many are not aware of what they are consumed in, it certanly is apparnt to the savy individual that Peru Needs some serious Help.  For those Peruvians that read this, please do not misunderstand what I am saying here.  Your country is Beautiful and the History and culture is 2nd to None.  Please pride yourself and visitors.  Peru is the oldest settlement in All of South America.  KEEP IT CLeAN!!

# Viracocha says :
11 November, 2008 [ 03:20 ]

Si, I agree with the cleanliness....but first to get it clean for the reasons expressed by QZ.
Many years ago,September 1967, I first visited Singapore in my Navy days.....it was similar with the trash in the streets and general careless littering ...similar to what I did observe in 2006 in both my trips to Lima. (2nd trip, I married my Peruan lady !! :) )
Anyyyyyway, the then Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Quan Yew(? spelling), introduced a "littering penalty" (multa) of Singapore$300.00 for anyone caught littering......WELL, when I returned again in June 1968.....CARAMBA....what a change that I did see......lovely and CLEAN. It is marvellous how the "hip pocket nerve" motivates people to think twice I can tell all.
But, not sure if this would work in Peru???....any comments, todos ??

# mucho confundo says :
11 November, 2008 [ 08:30 ]

It'd be nice if someone here here could explain - without resorting to rhetoric - why Peru has the oldest fleet of cars in latin america?

Without knowing the details or facts, I would have to venture to say it comes down to the economics of the situation.

Peru produces no cars and imposes a hefty import duty from countries that do so (the US free trade agreement not fully implemented as yet). It is logical that Peruvians would purchase more new cars if the cost were more competitive with used vehicles. A free trade agreement with low cost producers like China or even Brazil or Mexico may help expand new car ownership.

Alternatively, enforced regulations on vehicle emmisions and safety (i said 'enforced') would drive more new car sales, but at an increased cost to consumers.

A combination of enforceable saftey and emissions standards and liberalization of new and used car importation barriers would go a long way to improving the quality of the nations fleet.

# Mr. Pesimismo says :
11 November, 2008 [ 09:14 ]

Here we are still with NO VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS!!!!  The MTC should be horse whipped for delaying this so long.  It is a national shame.  Fully 50% of the vehicles that Lidercon inspected in their brief tenure FAILED the inspection.  This suggests we can clear the streets of these PoS vehicles with a full implementation of this inspection.  As usual, the glass in half empty here in Lima.  With justification.

# please says :
11 November, 2008 [ 17:34 ]

Please.. People are probably reluctant to buying a new car in Peru because would get stolen within the first week.  However, we really need to address the issue of pollution standards.. I dont have the answer.

# Don't steal my car says :
11 November, 2008 [ 18:40 ]

FYI, regarding stolen vehicles, RIMAC insurance and others now require (not an option) that all policyholders have their vehicle equipped with a GPS based anti-theft device. 

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