Price of New Car and Public Transport has increased in Israel

The price of a new car in Israel has increased with the turn of the new year, Globes reports, as due to the weakening of the Israeli Shekel against world currencies, vehicle importers have had to increase the price of a car in order to maintain their profit margins.

The cost of a Mazda 3 or Ford Focus has increased by around 3000 Shekels.

The 1 January 2012 also saw the price of gasoline increase to 7.23 Shekels a litre, while bus and train prices increased by about 3%.

Israel's 20 Year Vehicle Scrap Car Compensation Plan

The Israel Transport Ministry will launch a programme on 1 January 2012 where owners of vehicles that are more than twenty years old will be able to turn their car into the Israel Government and received compensation of 3000 Shekels.

The roll out of the national scheme follows a successful two year trial, during which time 18000 vehicles more than 20 years told were returned to the State.

The aim of the project is to reduce heavily polluting vehicles in Israel.

To receive the 3000 Shekels

- Vehicles must be more than 20 years old, from the date of manufacture.
- Have a valid passenger vehicle licence.
- Returned to the State by the Registered Owner

Owners wishing to receive compensation must return a cancellation of registration form to the Licensing Agency and within 48 hours deliver their car to an authorised sites.  Following a 45 day identification process the owner will have the 3000 shekels compensated to their account.

Site Name	Web site	Phone	Fax	Address
AA Carr Center Motors	Carr Center Motors Ashdod	08-8524238	08-8524236	Street corner work fig 1, Light Industry Zone, Ashdod - Map

Site Name	Phone	Fax	Address
Hyper passed Ltd.	03-9342023	03-9342022	Nachshon 17 purple industrial zone, Petah Tikva
Taysir Markets Ltd. Company	02-6247548	02-6247561	Airport St. 6. Atarot industrial area of Jerusalem
Haifa dragged Assouline Ltd	04-8424279 04-8416438	04-8411-033	Yosef Basri 30 Kiryat Ata
Mksli Ltd.	04-6800777 04-6931884	04-6931884	Industrial area Hazor

Further details can be found on the Israel Transport Ministry website.

Investigation into the cost of cars in Israel and Taxi Drivers Protest against fuel costs in Israel

Investigation into the cost of cars in Israel

Israel's Transport Minister Israel Katz, has announced a new committee to examine the level of competition in the car industry.  As part of the Israeli Government's attempt to show it is listening to the social demonstrations against the high cost of living in Israel, the Transport Minister has said that the committee will look at the cost of purchasing a car in Israel, as well as the cost of spare parts, leasing cars and whether warranties are honored by car dealerships.  The commitee will be chaired by Yaron Zelekha.

Taxi Drivers Protest against fuel costs

Taxi drivers last week joined the demonstrations on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv to protest against high petrol costs, caused by the high taxes.

 Photo by Motti Milrod, Haaretz

Although the Government has reduced the price of fuel in Israel, the level of tax on fuel was not reduced, from the 40% level it currently is, which differentially affects professional drivers.