Overall auto sales, including commercial vehicles and buses, stood at 15,615 units in January through March, down 6.6% on the year.
“Corporate purchases continue to be the main driver of local sales, accounting for 84% of the total auto sales,” APIA said in a statement.
It said first-quarter passenger car sales were affected by a 50% annual increase in imported used cars.
Dacia, made locally by French Renault’s unit Dacia Automobile, was the best-traded brand on the local new cars market in the first three months with 3,622 units, followed by Volkswagen with 1,423 units, and Skoda with 1,163 units.
Romanian auto sales fell 21% on the year to 87,505 units in 2012.