- Home
- China
- World
- Asia-Pacific
- Americas
- Europe
- Middle-East and Africa
- Politics
- Business
- Opinions
- Tech & Sci
- Culture
- Sports
- Travel
- Nature
- Picture
- Video
- Live
- TV
- Radio
- Specials
- Learn Chinese
Share
Copied
Buying a brand-new car is just a dream for the vast majority of Venezuelans. Very few new cars are available in the country and those that are for sale, are priced out of reach for most people.
As CGTN’s Mary Triny Mena reports, that’s driving many Venezuelans to prolong the lives of their aging vehicles.
Due to high costs, repairs are mostly done by car owners.
Car dealerships selling used cars are popular in Caracas.
Venezuelan drivers are trying to keep their cars going as long as they can.
About 50 percent of the cars on Venezuela's roads are 10 years old. In some cases, twice that.
In 2021, Venezuela only produced eight trucks and not a single car.
Keeping old cars running is a major challenge for drivers in Venezuela.
Venezuelans are trying to prolong the life of their cars as long as they can.
A limited number of new cars are imported into the country…but they are too expensive for most Venezuelans.
Many Venezuelans cannot afford to replace their cars even with a better-used one.
Buying a brand-new car is just a dream for the vast majority of Venezuelans.Very few new cars are available in the country and those that are for sale, are priced out of reach for most people.
Keeping their old cars running is a major challenge for Venezuelans. Spare parts are hard to come by, and they're expensive.
Taxi driver Sailor Estarita depends on his 14-year-old sedan to make a living, and it's important for him to keep it in tip-top shape. Taking the car to a mechanic is expensive, and Estarita says he’s determined to repair the car himself.
"I sold some gold jewelry so I could buy tools, to be equipped to work on my car, and to save some money instead of paying for repairs."
Estarita says he’s always been interested in cars and he’s happy to learn more about how they work. He’s getting practical tips on car repair and maintenance, from watching videos on his phone.
Recently, using YouTube videos he was able to fix his car's cooling system, and to adjust the valves.
"One video is taking me to another, and I spend hours and hours, until I find what I’m looking for," said Estarita.
To fix a set of brakes a mechanic might charge $60 U.S. dollars, two times the Venezuelan minimum wage.
Most of the people who bring their cars to a mechanic ask for minimal repairs to keep their cars on the road. Others want their cars fixed up for resale.
For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.
