Members of APIA request the keeping of the current pollution tax

It is imperative that the pollution tax keep its current form, representatives of the Association of Car Producers and Importers (APIA) stated during a press conference which was held yesterday, dealing with the "disturbing" situation of the car market.

The chairman of APIA, Ernest Popovici, mentioned that the introduction of the car tax on July 1st 2008, the contraction of lending caused by the financial crisis amid the global financial crisis and the delayed launch of the program for the renewal of the country"s carfleet have led to the drastic drop of the automotive market in Q4 2008. Popovici considers that there is a need for a policy targeted at the auto industry, which would focus on the national interest. To this purpose, the president of APIA and the other representatives of the association have warned of what might happen in 2009 if the Government were to eliminate the current car tax - a 50% percent drop in new car sales, which would cause the loss of over 100.000 jobs, the shrinking of activity in the auto sector and related fields and, last but not least, a reduction in fiscal revenues. "Any law must be conceived in such a manner that it does not harm some while helping others", Popovici stated.

• Constantin Stroe: "I don"t see the market recovering before March-April"

Vice-president of Automobile Dacia, Constantin Stroe, claims that clients are "playing the waiting game", as they hope car prices would drop further, thus trying to save money on the purchase of a new car. According to Dacia"s representative, because of this attitude "everyone loses", and there is no chance for market recovery before March-April.

APIA representatives say they are deeply concerned by Dacia"s situation and they feel that the situation of the local car industry is critical, for local producers as well as for importers. Brent Valmar, vice-president of APIA, considers that supressing the car tax in its actual form could lead to the loss of some 220.000 jobs.

APIA members consider that the Government should consult them before deciding on a modification of the car tax and they even proposed solutions for the revival of the Romanian car industry. The steps suggested by the APIA representatives are the launch of the REMAT program next month, with the option for customers who buy their cars by leasing to benefit from said program, the facilitation of access to loans and the maintenance of a constant level of the installments, and also the initiation of a state plan for supporting the auto industry.