Cars registered in last five years will ensure growth for car part importers

Autor: Alexandru Anghel 11.04.2010

The leading importers of auto components independent from auto manufacturers networks, Autonet, Augsburg International, AD Auto Total, Meteor, and Elit Romania, posted a quarter of a billion euros in turnover, i.e. 25% of the entire market, writes BUSINESS Magazin weekly.

"The auto parts market rose significantly until 2009, with all players seeing two-digit growth," says Zoltan Andrasy, head of Autonet, the biggest importer of car parts in Romania. He does not seem concerned about the fact that last year the company's business, put at 102 million euros, remained similar to that recorded in 2008.

"We are now starting to benefit from sales posted in 2006-2007," adds Andrasy. In other words, Andrasy expects those who purchased cars over the last three or four years to turn to servicing centres from outside the networks that sold them the car as their warranty expires. In fact, according to dealers, owners of new cars do their technical inspections and current repairs only for an average of two or three years in servicing centres of the brand they bought the car from, for the duration of the warranty. After this period, part of them migrate to non brand specific servicing centres, which have the expertise and the necessary equipment for repairs, but charge up to 40% lower fees.