According to the economic section of the El Caribe newspaper, auto sales are down, way down. Prices have tripled over the past year, due in part to the new taxes, the devaluation of the peso and the fluctuations in the exchange market. ACOFAVE, the Association of New Car Dealers, is reporting a 20% drop in sales over last year. The first three months of 2003 saw 3,107 vehicles leave the car lots. So far this year, the same period saw just 2,439 sales. Among the taxes mentioned were the 10% exchange commission, the 2% import tax and the 12% VAT or ITBIS, but vehicles also pay a selective consumer tax that varies from 10% to 80%, depending on the vehicle. A Toyota Corolla that cost RD$380,000 last year costs RD$950,00 this year. A Toyota that is priced at US$18,600 dollars (yes, dollars)will, at yesterday?s exchange rate of RD$44.50, pay RD$281, 418 pesos in taxes. Most dealers do not place the price on their new cars so as not to scare off potential buyers.