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Sheinbaum Minimizes Salinas Pliego's Call to Buy Italika Bikes Over Olinia Electric Car
🇲🇽 Mexico /Economy & Trade

Sheinbaum Minimizes Salinas Pliego's Call to Buy Italika Bikes Over Olinia Electric Car

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego's call to buy Italika motorcycles instead of the new Olinia electric car.
  • Sheinbaum suggested Salinas Pliego is angry because his companies are now paying taxes, which they previously evaded.
  • The president also questioned the high interest rates charged by Salinas Pliego's Elektra stores on unpaid purchases.

President Claudia Sheinbaum has addressed businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego's public call for consumers to purchase Italika motorcycles over the newly launched Olinia electric car. Sheinbaum suggested that Salinas Pliego's strong reaction stems from his companies now being compelled to pay taxes.

During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum stated that Salinas Pliego appears "very angry" because he was "forced to pay taxes." She implied that his criticism of the Olinia, a government-backed electric vehicle, is a response to this new tax obligation.

He is very angry, well, because in the end they had to pay taxes, the truth.

— Claudia SheinbaumThe president's explanation for businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego's criticism of the Olinia electric car.

Salinas Pliego, owner of TV Azteca and Elektra stores, had argued on social media that his company's motorcycles are more affordable and offer better value than the Olinia. He contrasted this with what he described as "absurd, costly, and senseless" government projects.

Sheinbaum countered by highlighting that the Olinia is designed by Mexicans, whereas Italika motorcycles are largely assembled in Mexico with components from abroad or are imported fully assembled. She also raised concerns about the practices of Elektra, questioning the high interest rates customers face when they fall behind on payments for their purchases.

What happens when a person cannot pay for the motorcycle, what they buy in your stores? What happens with that, how do you talk to your clients?

— Claudia SheinbaumThe president questioning the interest rates and collection practices at Elektra stores.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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