Almost 30% of Alto Tietê's vehicle fleet is over 20 years old. Almost three in every ten vehicles in Alto Tietê are over 20 years old. There are 227,898 vehicles in this condition, equivalent to 28.8% of the regional fleet, which totals 792,215 vehicles. Data from the São Paulo State Traffic Department (Detran-SP) show that only 124,207 vehicles, or 15.7% of the fleet, are up to five years old. Vehicles between 10 and 20 years old total 329,673, equivalent to 41.6% of the total. ? Click to follow the g1 Mogi das Cruzes and Suzano channel on WhatsApp In absolute numbers, Mogi das Cruzes has the largest number of vehicles over 20 years old. There are 64,434, equivalent to 25.8% of the municipality's fleet. Proportionally, Salesópolis leads the ranking. Of the 11,270 vehicles registered in the city, 4,953 are more than 20 years old, equivalent to 43.9% of the municipal fleet. Mogi das Cruzes also has the largest fleet in Alto Tietê, with 249,540 vehicles. The city also leads in the number of cars, with 151,763, and motorcycles, with 37,379. In second place is Suzano with 145,562 and in third, Itaquaquecetuba with 144,751. Salesópolis appears at the other end of the list, with the smallest fleet in the region, of 11,270 vehicles. Of this total, 5,793 are cars and 2,483 motorcycles. According to traffic specialist Paulo Castilho, the aging of the fleet is directly related to the economic scenario. "When the economy is stable, purchasing power improves and the fleet tends to become less old. Maintenance is also carried out more frequently", he stated. According to Castilho, older vehicles require constant preventive maintenance to reduce the risk of mechanical breakdowns and accidents, which can also cause congestion. "The lack of adequate and constant maintenance is, indeed, one of the causes of traffic jams. The older the vehicle, the greater the likelihood of it experiencing mechanical failure or problems with safety items, such as brakes, tires and electrical parts", he said. Cars stopped on Mogi-Bertioga in the Biritiba Ussu section in Mogi das Cruzes Vinicíus Silva/ TV Diário Did you know? ? Almost three in every ten vehicles in Alto Tietê are over 20 years old. ? Salesópolis is the city with the oldest fleet proportionally. ? Mogi das Cruzes has the largest number of old vehicles. ?? The region has almost 129 thousand motorcycles. Despite this, the expert emphasizes that the conditions of the road system continue to be the main cause of slowdowns. "The solution would be to expand existing roads, build new connections, viaducts, tunnels and bridges, offering more travel alternatives for drivers", he stated. According to Castilho, the growth of the fleet in the last two decades was faster than the implementation of works and mobility projects. "The solutions implemented in the last 20 years have not kept up with this growth. The tendency is for these problems to continue and increase proportionally", he added. Old fleet reflects tradition of collectors in Salesópolis Although Salesópolis has the smallest fleet in Alto Tietê, it is the city where vehicles over 20 years old represent the largest portion of the fleet: 4,953 vehicles, equivalent to 43.9% of the total. Among those passionate about old cars is professor Michele Matos. His interest in Beetles began in childhood, when his father had a blue model. Michelle said that she takes great care of the Beetle Michele Matos/ personal archive Years later, she realized her dream of having an old car and ended up buying two Beetles. Today, she owns a 1982 model and another manufactured in 1986. The first Beetle was purchased in 2012, after Michele lost the car she used every day in a traffic accident. "I had an Astra. I went to take my son to the hospital, it was Christmas Eve, I fell asleep at the wheel and crashed the car on the highway. As no one was hurt, my husband asked what I wanted and I replied that I wanted a Beetle", she said. After a hundred days of restoration, she started using it only at events and, occasionally, to go to work. The fear of theft means that the car is stored most of the time. “I love taking Beetles to vintage car shows and meetings,” he said. Michelle has Beetles in her collection Michele matos/personal archive The taste for classic vehicles also passed on to her son, Thiago Tadeu de Matos, 25 years old. Three years ago, he bought a Belina, which he uses daily for work and also at vintage car meetings. According to Michele, the passion for old vehicles became a family hobby. "We participate in events because we really enjoy it. It's a passion for old cars." Enthusiasm led Michele to create the Salesópolis Beetle Club, which promotes vintage car meetings and social actions throughout the year. Among them are "Arraiá do Fusca", Pink October campaigns and "Natal Solidário do Fusca". One of the meetings promoted by the club brought together around 600 vehicles. The tradition also begins to pass on to the next generation. The 6-year-old daughter accompanies her mother to events and has already won trophies at antique car shows. Despite already having two Beetles in the garage, Michele still has a dream. "My biggest dream is to have a pink Beetle. Everyone who knows me knows that I'm in love with Beetles." Michele and her 6-year-old daughter have already won a trophy in the Beetle category driven by a woman Michele Matos/ personal archive Read more Car catches fire on avenue in the center of Itaquaquecetuba Stolen truck is recovered after chase on Ayrton Senna See everything about Alto Tietê