Although only a few of the 44,200 car-scrappage bonuses in Slovakia remain available, only 10% of cars purchased in exchange for old ones were actually made in the country. This has led to both proponents and critics of the scheme to claim victory. New car buyers have enthusiastically taken up the scheme, with 36,661 bonuses used by the end of July. The Slovak government is keen to emphasise that the scheme was launched in solidarity with the 11 other European countries who set up similar schemes. The automotive sector is now the biggest single sector of the Slovak economy.