Combustion cars are 35% more expensive than five years ago

The Consumers and Users’ Organization (OCU) has warned of “unprecedented” growth in the country car prices New with a combustion engine, which currently costs 35% more than it was five years ago.

This is a “much higher” increase than accumulated inflation Over the same period, that jumped to 12.8%, as reported by the organization. The reasons for this increase are: a punishment For car manufacturers to account for EU carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, Microchip Crisis Or an increase in the prices of many materials and products used in its manufacture.

Thus, the Dacia Sandero, the cheapest model in the Spanish market, has grown from €7,035 in 2017 to €9,990 in 2022, 42% more, Of the 15 most important brands in Spain, only two best-selling models have maintained their value. under the CPI Total accumulated. These are the BMW X1 model and the Mercedes-Benz GLC with an increase of 12.8% in both cases.

push for microchips

OCU has made a number of recommendations for users when buying a car, including searching for a model that on offer or stockwhich means a. Maybe being saved Up to 20%, or a commitment to electric vehicles or hybrid engines, “which are cheaper in the medium term”.

In this context, the OCU has underlined that the increase in the prices of such vehicles has come down. For example, the cheapest non-plug-in hybrid, the Mazda 2 model, costs 18,220 euros, 18% more than the cheapest model from five years ago, For its part, the cheapest plug-in hybrid, the Renault Captur, costs the same as the cheapest five years ago, around €30,160.

Meanwhile, the cheapest electric, the Dacia Spring, currently registers a price of 17,905 euros, which is 18% lower than the cheapest electric model five years ago. Similarly, the OCU has appealed to the European authorities to promote National Microchip Industry “Which can guarantee regular supply” of this type of component, while ensuring “a stable price”.

Also, it has requested the Spanish authorities to zoom in The current network of fast-charging charging stations, with the presence of one every 50 kilometers, “will favor the use of an electric car,” he told OCU.