Sonora is one of 10 Mexican states where owners of illegally imported foreign cars will now be able to bring those vehicles into compliance for a small fee.
On Wednesday, Mexico published an official decree establishing a process for so-called carros chocolates, or chocolate cars, to be legalized in 10 northern states, including Sonora.
From now until July 20, illegally imported cars can be regularized for a $120 fee. The vehicles must comply with environmental standards, be at least eight years old and cannot be associated with a crime. Luxury and sports cars don’t qualify.
Officials say there are about 2 million chocolate cars in Mexico. Mostly in northern states, where used cars are frequently brought across the border without going through the formal importation process.
The process has also been presented as a safety measure because chocolate cars are hard to trace, and officials say they are often used in crimes.
