Economy Minister Axel Kicillof and Industry Minister Débora Giorgi have met with automotive industry representatives to discuss the continuation of the ProCreAuto program, the credit scheme that seeks to facilitate consumer access to new automobiles.
President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner had accused automakers of “boycotting” the program and Kicillof and Giorgi today presented industry representatives with evidence.
Government made 112 inspections and detected 54 cases in which ProCreAuto cars were out of stock, while delivery of government-sponsored cars took more time than regular vehicles, and costed more than established.
Manufacturers could be sanctioned as they entered the ProCreAuto program voluntarily.
Representatives from Volkswagen, Ford, Fiat, Renault, Peugeot, Honda, Toyota, General Motors, and Mercedes Benz took part in the meeting, among others.
They claimed stock shortages are due to a lack of auto parts as they are US$2,500 million indebted with their headquarters, but the claim was dismissed by Giorgi, saying that in 2014 automakers had 2.8 billion dollars to pay for imported cars and other transfers.
Government officials have set individual meetings with each manufacturer on Friday, to evaluate each particular case.
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