B1 – Intermediate
Owning a vehicle is like a rite of passage for everyone. Think about the time you had your first car or motorbike. How did it make you feel? In Cuba, the government decided to make it easier for its citizens to buy a car.
Read the lesson for more details on this story and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1312/131222-cuba-4.html
Discussion Questions:
- What is your opinion on this initiative by the Cuban government?
- What do you think are the good and bad things about making it easy for people to buy cars?
- Is it better to buy a car cash or by loan? Explain your opinion.
- Compare how you got your first ever car and the one you have now.
- Is the automobile industry lucrative in your country? Why or why not?
2 replies on “Cubans Can Buy a Car More Easily”
I think that this measure will not have much effect among the population. Firstly, the average wage of a cuban does not allow him/her for buying either used or new vehicle. In addition, there will be other more important needs to fill since cars are considered as a luxury item. I suppose that this new regulation will be addressed to those managing and controlling the country.
Another point to highlight is that the final price of the cars will be more expensive in Cuba where the government take part of the purchase than other countries without such control: there are more parties to share a portion of profit before getting to the final consumer.
From my point of view, I see much better to buy a car through a loan than by cash. You do not need to invest on the article; on the contrary, you can pay it in monthly installments and keep the rest of your money available in case of some unexpected.
I remember the first (and only) car I bought. I was checking different brands, models and dealers for months. What I considered most important was reliability no matter if I had to pay an extra money for it. Nowadays, it is 13 years old and the only component I have had to change is the battery. I think that I did a good purchase!!
In my country, the average cycle of life of a vehicle depends mainly on the area: it is around 10 years in big cities and this number can double in the countryside. the automobile industry needs help from the government which have to launch different type of programs every 3/4 years to encourage people to renew their vehicles.
Clearly, you’ve put a lot of work into this. Well done!
Firstly, the average wage of a
cuban does not allow him/her for buying either used or new vehicle.> Firstly, the average wage of a Cuban does not allow them to buy neither used nor new vehicle.
Keep going.