The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A well-known auto dealer yesterday said consumers had shifted towards used vehicles post Value-Added Tax (VAT), while new car sales remained relatively flat.

 Ben Albury, the Bahamas Bus and Truck general manager, told Tribune Business that although he had witnessed a “very rough” January with the implementation of VAT, he had been relatively busy with consumers seemingly shifting their focus from higher priced, new model vehicles.

    “We have been relatively busy. It’s just that people have kind of shifted focus. They are looking at lower priced cars,” said Mr Albury.

“We’re still going to sell cars but people are just looking at less expensive options. The sales pace has been pretty much about the same. Our sales compared to years previous is still very low.”

Mr Albury added: “As a result  of VAT, January was very rough, and then after that it kind of tapered off. People are buying more used or lower-priced vehicles rather than the more expensive vehicles.

“New car sales are pretty flat. We have seen some company purchases for new cars, which has helped us a bit, but it is relatively flat when you’re looking at new car sales.”

    Mr Albury said that while there were some initial difficulties relative to Customs at the start of VAT implementation, those issues were bring addressed.

“At first it was difficult, but they seem to be working out some of the kinks and I just hope that going forward things will continue to get better,” said Mr Albury.