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• Used truck dealers hoping to sell pre-Euro-1 trucks into Eastern Europe are likely to be out of luck as the region moves to close its borders to older, more polluting vehicles. New EU and ECE regulations have led several east European countries to ban the import of non-Euro-1 trucks, while in Slovenia and the Czech Republic all imported used trucks must meet Euro-2 emission standards.
But according to Harry Vink from Task Force East Europe of Dutch-based Kleyn Trucks—the biggest used truck dealer in Europe—although several east European countries have confirmed that they plan to implement the tough new rules, the situation is not clear-cut.
"As far as we know Hungary and Romania will require Euro-1 from the beginning of 1998," says Vink. "Slovenia and the Czech Republic, and possibly even Croatia, will only allow used Euro-2 vehicles." The Baltic States already require Euro-1 while Russia is open to all vehicles.
The move will hit European used truck dealers hard as there are not enough Euro-1 and 2 trucks on the used market. "And where there is a used Euro-2 truck available it is far too expensive for most East European countries," adds Vink. Kleyn will look at exporting more non-Euro-1 or 2 trucks to South America and African markets.