Sales of vehicles in 2007 accelerated 23% and reached a total volume of 366,819 units, according to the statistics of the Association of Automotive Manufacturers and Importers in Romania (APIA). The figure is more than 15,000 units above the latest estimates of APIA officials last December, and almost 50,000 more cars than anticipated at the beginning of the year.
"We estimated a 7% increase at the beginning of the year. I had anticipated 7% for a reason: we expected a heated debate over the first registration tax," Brent Valmar, deputy chairman of APIA told ZIARUL FINANCIAR.
Imports progressed by 50% last year and reached a volume of 248,909 units.
The car market increased by 23% in 2007 to 315,621 units. Imported models accounted for 65% (204,719 units).
Car production increased 16.1% to 234,103 units, of which 215,278 units were Dacia models. In 2007, production peaked in October at 30,838 units, and October was also the month with the highest production of cars on the domestic market.
Two of the top three best-selling models are made by Renault (Symbol and Megane), whose respective sales reached 13,437 units, up 18% and 11,917 units, up 73% on 2006. The third best-selling model was Opel Astra Classic (9,512 units), an increase of 56% on the previous year.
Dacia Logan posted cumulated sales of 94,949 units for its sedan and MCV versions, a decrease of 1% on 2006.
Renault Symbol posted 18% higher sales in 2007 against 2006 to 13,437 units. The best selling version was the 1.4 litre petrol-driven engine, whose price starts at 8,649 euros, VAT included, the same as a Dacia Logan.
Renault Megane's sales picked up speed in 2007 and increased by 73%. Out of the 11,917 units sold, almost 90% were for the Megane Sedan, whilst the rest were for five-door versions. The best selling trim was the 1.6 litre engine, whose price starts at 15,150 euros, VAT included. Last year, the Astra Classic model, whose sales amounted to 9,512 units, primarily drove Opel's almost 100% growth rate. The highest sales were registered for the 1.4 litre petrol engine five-door model. The price of this stands at 11,970 euros, VAT included.
Small and compact class cars accounted for over 75% of the imported car market. Such models sold 155,310 units together, having increased by 39% and 62%, respectively.
"Something happened on the market, which I estimated would happen some time ago. That is a layering of the market by affordability, purse and a preference to buy something to suit one's needs," Valmar said.
The highest increase in terms of percentages was that of the MPV segment, of cars with at least five seats used mainly by families, which registered an 81% increase to 3,364 units. The best-selling model in this class was Skoda Roomster, a model launched in the autumn of 2006, with 729 units, followed by Opel Zafira and Renault Scenic - 495 and 342 units.
The SUV segment surged by 70.6% against 2006, to a total volume of 18,714 units.
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