Almera is reportedly the most
popular vehicle on the market because it is economical and sturdy,
according to buyers.
The Japanese made car began to
flood the market some two years ago, replacing the B-14, B-15,
which were also popular models.
Foreign-used car dealers say
Almeras accounted for more than 60 per cent of the roll-on-roll-off
vehicles imported over the past two years.
Prices range from $68,000 - $90,000,
depending on the age of the vehicle.
Car thieves collect between $10,000
and $15,000 for the theft of an Almera, from certain used parts
dealers, police told TnT Mirror.
There is a big market for Almera
spare parts, which has forced car thieves to target this model
since the foreign-used dealers do not sell parts.
Some of the stolen cars are stripped
and the parts are sold to used parts dealers across the country.
One owner said the head lights
and tail lights of Almera cars are installed with just clips and
are easy for thieves to pull off, as well as body parts.
A new head light costs about
$1,200 and owners can buy back their stolen ones from a used parts
dealer for about half the price.
Police say that since the model
is popular, the stolen cars fit in easily into the market.
A number of them are said to
be on the road with false licence plates working as “PH”.
Police said security devices
in some cars are of no use because carjackers wait until the driver
gets into the vehicle and orders him off at gunpoint.
Investigators said carjackers
operate in the Tunapuna, Trincity, Tacarigua areas between the
hours of 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Some of them wait outside the
homes of drivers when they come out of the vehicle to rob them
of their cars.
Police have so far been unable
to find the stripping grounds of stolen cars.
Car theft over the years has
been a booming trade with close to 2,000 vehicles stolen each year.
Chief Executive Officer of Neal
and Massy, Bernard Dulal-Whiteway blamed the increased thefts
of foreign-used cars (such as the Almera), on the unavailability
of spare parts.
Neal and Massy are agents for
new Almera vehicles.
He noted there is no commitment
by foreign-used dealers in service or parts, unlike new car dealers
who offer two-year warranties and import spare parts.
“We can’t stock parts
for cars we do not sell,” he stated.
Dulal-Whiteway said this was
one of the reasons new car dealers are calling on the government
to put in place legislation to regulate the sale of used cars so
that consumers can be protected.
