Car exports rise while sales at home fall

Car sales in Romania in the first four months of 2009 have fallen by 55 per cent, while exports have increased by 62 per cent, according to the Association of Car Producers and Importers in Romania (APIA)

June 2009 - From the Print Edition

Romanians bought 50,000 units compared to the same period last year when 110,000 cars were sold.
However car exports have increased by 62 per cent this year compared to 2008. This is due to state-sponsored programmes in western European countries, such as Germany, which give car buyers a discount when acquiring new vehicles, if they trade in their old car. About 72,000 of cars built in Romania were sold abroad in the first four months of 2009 compared to last year’s 44,000 units. The Romanian-produced Dacia-Renault Logan and Sandero brands are seen as cost-effective options for price-conscious car consumers in the west.
This has allowed domestic car production to see a slight increase of two per cent.
Overall, the car market in Romania improved in April compared to January 2009, with a decrease of 35.7 per cent in car sales compared to 65 per cent drop at the beginning of the year.
Out of almost 50,000 vehicles sold in the first four months of this year more than 11,000 were sold through the Rabla program, a government initiative where drivers can trade in their old motor for a 900 Euro discount on a new car, in a cash bonus backed up by state money.