New technology, environmental policy, and bigger size are pricing Spaniards out of the market on new cars.
When the EU tolled the death knell for the combustion engine late last year, prohibiting sales of new combustion engine cars starting in 2035, the opposition warned of creating a “Habana effect.”
Cuba is famous for the old, classic cars on its streets. Behind the charming postcard aesthetic is the harsh reality that the vast majority of Cubans simply can’t afford to buy new cars and so manage the only option available—keep the old ones running.
Spain is already a bit Havana-esque when it comes to cars. The top-selling car in Spain has the following profile: it’s fifteen years old and runs on diesel.
