Sales of SUVs saw the steadiest rises in the past few yearsbecause of the launch of models on the premium segment, as well asto the launch of more affordable models. This year, when the carmarket collapsed, SUVs fared best, with a "mere" 44% decline.
Currently the cheapest SUVs on the Romanian market are manufacturedby Fiat and Suzuki in Hungary, with prices starting from 12,000 -14,000 euros, VAT included, but, starting next year, producers willalso have Dacia as a competitor, after it launches its firstoff-roader on the market, whose price will most likely start fromaround 12-14,000 euros.
The ranking of the cheapest SUVs, with prices starting from lessthan 20,000 euros, now includes Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Yeti,Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan X-Trail and Ford Kuga, according to datafrom importers centralised by ZF.
"Sales of premium SUVs saw a steeper decline this year. Now,clients opt either for small, diesel engine-powered vehicles or forvehicles with low-consumption petrol engines, such as FSI in thecase of Volkswagen," said Alin Tapalaga, manager of Porsche InterAuto, the retail division of Porsche Romania. In the first tenmonths of the year SUV sales fell 44%, to 8,578 vehicles, thelowest decline rate on the Romanian market, without including MPVs(multi-purpose vehicles), which saw an almost seven-fold decline.This compares with a 54% decline for imported vehicles in thesimilar period.
The SUV market has become very crowded over the last few years,with the fight over market share among producers being tighter inthis time of sales decline.
The biggest increases on the Romanian market over the last threeyears have been recorded by premium SUVs, such as Audi Q7, BMW X5,and Volkswagen Tuareg, while Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe remainedamong the top-selling SUVs in the last three years. "In terms ofvolume, the biggest declines were recorded by the VW Tuareg model.On the other hand, Tiguan preserved its level of sales. However,Tiguan models sold now have a more basic equipment, as opposed tothose sold in previous years," Tapalaga said.
This year, on the other hand, the biggest decline was recorded bypremium SUVs. For instance, Audi Q7 fell by over 77% in the firstten months of the year, from 406 units in 2009 to 91 units.
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
