decars1-8, Exercise 1: The waiting list

Model answer (check the details):

Why a long wait: the GDR's planned economy gave priority to heavy industry and exports, and the supply of consumer goods, cars included, was limited. Only one small car (the Trabant) was made in quantity, and the Wartburg and imported cars were in short supply. Demand was far higher than production, so buyers registered years ahead and waited for an allocation. Waits of ten to fifteen years are often quoted, with variation by place and period.

Why a used car could cost as much as a new one: new cars were so scarce that a buyer who could not wait paid for a car straight away. A used car had no waiting time, so its price reflected the value of the years saved. This is often cited as evidence of the shortage.

Caution: waiting times and used prices differ between sources and years. Use specific figures with a source, and not a single number for the whole country and period.