Page 17 - 60 YEARS NISSAN NIC. J. THEOCARAKIS S.A.

1898-1960 The first determined steps
were excluded from import programs, while petrol was also hard to come by - the restrictions imposed on petrol consumption after the war for Sundays and holidays were withdrawn in 1950.
In April of 1953, the firm restrictions on the import of cars and parts were lifted, but the “Turnover Tax”, introduced by the Emergency Law in 1937, was replaced by a “contribution” equal to 200% of the car value, depending on the factory value, and a “special fee” was also imposed, equal to six-months of circulation taxes. That same year, in 1953, a luxury tax was introduced for higher cylinder capacity cars, but it was gradually extended to
all cars. Circulation taxes doubled in 1955 for private passenger cars, as a measure to collect revenue and provide relief to the earthquake victims in Volos. Three years later, in April of 1958,
the import of cars was made even more challenging, since an additional special flat fee was imposed, which caused retail prices of cars to nearly double.
Two years later though, the time for Datsun had finally arrived.
Photo featuring the showroom of S. Paraskevas, official Nissan dealer in Rhodes (circa 1960s). During the decade 1961-1970, consumer habits were changing, transport needs were increasing, the purchase of a car was no longer for the privileged few, and the Tourism industry
was also rapidly growing.
17
1935-1940
In 1935 there were 36 car showrooms in Athens. That same year, there were 10 dealerships in Thessaloniki and 34 repair shops. According to the Athens- Piraeus-Suburbs Trade Guide, in 1939 there were 41-45 car dealerships- showrooms. Among those dealerships, 22 were Sociétés Anonymes. Fourteen of these were on Syggrou Avenue,
and twelve on Patission Avenue, around the area of Hafteia. According to the Members File of the Hellenic Association of Motor Vehicle Importers Representatives, (founded in 1934), in 1940 the Association had
48 members, an indication of the vitality of the industry. By the end of the 1930s there were representatives in all major urban centres, and more specific in all
cities with more than 8,000 residents.