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Used cars: a second life in Africa
Used cars: a second life in Africa – (France 2)
Many old cars that Europeans no longer want are sent to Africa, to large car parks where customers come to do their shopping. Report from Togo.
At a port in Togo, thousands of cars are waiting for a second life. They used to be on our roads in Europe, but we no longer want them because they are too old and too polluting. So, they are shipped to Africa by specialized resellers instead of being scrapped. The cheapest vehicle is sold for 2,500 euros, but you often have to count double for a decent car. Some are in very poor condition, they are between 15 and 20 years old. But it is often the only option for buyers here in West Africa.
No car factories
There are no car factories, so you have to rely on these second-hand vehicles. Four to five million of these vehicles arrive each year in Africa, that’s almost half of the used cars sold in the world. The public authorities say they have taken measures and opened a land transport observatory.
