- MADRID: The central Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha is auctioning off part of its fleet of official cars in a bid to raise money in hard times.
Regional spokesman Leandro Esteban says the prize lot among the 68 cars being sold off is a bulletproof Audi A8 limousine bought four years ago for €376,000 ($513,000) and barely used by previous leader Jose Maria Barreda,
The opposition Popular Party swept to power in the former Socialist stronghold at regional elections in May.
Socialists say the sale is an electoral gimmick by new leader Maria Dolores de Cospedal, who is also Secretary General of the PP, to highlight “Socialist overspend.” Spain holds general elections on Nov. 20.
The vehicles are on view Saturday.