COMPARED TO OCTOBER 2008, Sales of new imported cars dropped over 50%

Only 7,239 new cars were sold in October 2009, down 50.3% YOY, according to data compiled by the Romanian Association of Car Makers and Importers (APIA).

77,726 new cars were sold between January and November 2009, down over last year"s similar period. When it comes to domestic cars, sales dropped 46.9% YOY from October 2008, and 53.8% between September 2008 and September 2009.

• Market grew 11.1% over last month

Even though Romania"s auto market keeps shrinking due to the economic crisis, new car sales increased 11.1% in October, compared to September, to 10,380 cars. In the case of imported cars, 7,239 units were sold last month, up 6.6% over September 2009, but down 54% over October 2008 (14.562 units).

Sales of domestic car maker Dacia dropped 46.9%, over October 2008, from 5,912 to 3,141 cars, while 28,393 units were exported.

During the first months of the year, out of the sectors of the auto market, the most affected were buses (-85.3%), and the segment of heavy trucks over 18-tons in weight, which posted a similar drop, while passenger car sales dropped 53.9%, to 112,150 units. Over the same period, domestic output amounted to 244,644 vehicles, of which 231,461 passenger cars, up 8.1% YOY.

• "Dacia", a customer favorite

Domestic carmaker "Dacia", sold 3,141 cars in October and 34,424 units in the first ten months of 2009. Among imported cars, the best selling brands last month were "Ford" - 791 units, followed by "Skoda", with 773 units sold, "Volkswagen" 725 units), Hyundai (695 units) and "Kia" (636 units).