“The democratization of cars, no longer a luxury item since the advent of increased buying power, and fortified by the fact that small and compact classes cars are the most affordable, explains this evolution,” Toyota Romania’s Marketing Manager, Mihai Bordeanu, told Business Standard. APIA data shows that the so-called B-segment of the automotive market, known as small class, has posted 51.5 percent higher sales, up to 54,850 units, in the first nine months of 2007, compared to January-September 2006. The most important competitors on this segment are Renault Clio, Chevrolet Aveo, Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta, and Peugeot 206.
The C-segment, compact class, increased in the same interval by 54.8 percent, up to 56,015 units, especially owing to Renault Megane, Opel Astra Classic, Skoda Octavia, and Skoda Octavia Tour.
A total of 228,877 cars were sold since the beginning of 2007, up 23.1 percent compared to the same period in 2006. “Highly congested urban traffic, as well as the price of fuel, have made small-sized cars Romanian favorites,” said Radu Cristian, Commercial Manager for Trust Motors, importer of the Peugeot brand.
In comparison, the pace of sales of more expensive cars was slower. Medium-sized D segment cars, with prices ranging from €20,000-30,000, registered sales of 12,507 units (up some 25 percent), while large E segment cars had sales up by 27.8 percent, to 1,269 units, at prices starting from €35,000 (VAT included).
