The demand for used cars has risen dramatically in Germany in recent years  Most of this demand is generated by former East Germans who cannot yet afford new cars and for whom cars were generally unavailable prior to unification  This demand has outstripped supply and thus has exerted an upward pressure on the prices of used cars  Consequently, an increasing number of former West Germans, in order to take advantage of the improved market, will be selling the cars they have owned for several years
Hence, the German new-car market will most likely improve soon as well
The demand for old cars in former West Germany is greater than the demand for new cars in former East Germany.