Tax Authority: Car imports rise 30% in 2010

224,212 cars were imported to Israel in 2010. tax revenues from car imports rose last year by a smaller rate of 14.5%
 
The Israel Tax Authority reported last week that 30% more cars were imported to Israel in 2010 compared to 2009.
 
According to the Tax Authority 224,212 cars were imported in 2010, up from 172,459 cars in 2009.
 
However, tax revenues from car imports rose last year by a smaller rate of 14.5%, which the Tax Authority attributes to the switch to greener less polluting carswith lower taxes.
 
The Tax Authority attributes most of the increase in car imports to greater purchases by leasing companies, especially of the Mazda 3, Hyundai I30 and Hyundai I20. The purchases were aimed at meeting demand for tourist rentals, as well as purchases deferred from 2009.