With Renault being the first imported brand, which exceeded 32,000 units sold on the Romanian market in 2007, but which saw an over 30% sales decline last year, the French carmaker targets an increase in its market share to 8% in 2009.
"It is difficult to talk about a sales target for 2009, but we can talk about a market share. We want to achieve more than in 2008, especially since we have new models available. While last year we fell to 7.1%, from 9.2% in 2007, we want to end 2009 with 8 - 8.1%," said Jacques Daniel, commercial manager of Renault Romania.
One of the factors, which will contribute to the market share increase of the French brand, will be the car fleet renewal programme, for which no official launch date has been announced so far.
"Renault is prepared for the start of the REMAT programme. We had very good sales in previous years and we have a good stock prepared for this year. However, the authorities have not provided any concrete launch date for the programme, only rumours have circulated up until now," Daniel said.
After an almost 50% decline in the last quarter of the year, compared with the similar time in 2007, January, usually the weakest month of the year, is not expected to fare any differently from December, which saw import brands fall by as much as 70%.
"This year will be a very difficult one. I don't have a crystal ball, so I cannot be precise about the progression of the car market. The market decline started in the last quarter of last year, and no modification in the trend has been noticeable in January. The car market is currently in a sorry state," Jacques Daniel added.
In April, Renault Romania will launch the new Megane, and then Laguna Coupe in the summer.
"We have had the opportunity of growing with the aid of many new models in a very short period of time. We have taken advantage of the launch of models such as Laguna and Koleos to reduce Renault's dependence on Symbol and Megane Sedan, which have so far accounted for two thirds of our sales," said the commercial manager of Renault Romania. Of the 32,308 vehicles sold in Romania in 2007, Symbol accounted for 42% of the sales and Megane Sedan for 33%, while in 2008, they accounted for 46% and 24% of the 22,073 cars sold.
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