Car sales up 23% in 10 months

Market growth was due to sales of imported cars, which rose 51.8 percent year-on-year, up to 165,884 units.

Sales of cars made in Romania dropped 8.3 percent, down to 92,340 units, from 100,654 cars sold in the first 10 months of 2006. The main local manufacturer, Automobile Dacia, sold most of the cars produced locally, 83,912 units, thus gaining a 28 percent share of the total car market.

As for imported cars, the Renault brand ranks top, with 26,639 units sold, followed by Volkswagen, at 21,523 units, and Skoda at 18,919 units.

Local production and assembling rose 9.3 percent during January-October 2007, up to 198,278 units. Exports increased 42 percent, up to 94,938 units, while imports rose 52 percent, up to 200,859 units.

The local car market is estimated to reach 360,000 units by the end of the year, 20 percent higher than in 2006.