Israel’s Levi Group bought AutoItalia in April, through Mediterranean Car Agency (MCA), from businessman Herbert Stein. MCA general manager Ori Lahav said the importer’s sales will likely reach 3,000 units this year; around 2,500 automobiles have been sold so far.
Last year, AutoItalia sold 3,800 cars, half as many as in 2009. The company’s market share dropped to 3.2%, from 5% in 2009.
Lahav said the group has invested several millions of euros in the importer’s development, as well as to pay a number of debts. He hopes AutoItalia will switch to profit next year and, although that is uncertain, the group is confident in its Romanian business and the local market, and will continue to invest in the importer.
The Romanian car market has decreased gradually starting in 2008, when 271,000 units were sold, down 14% on the year. Sales dropped by 52% in 2009, to 132,000 units. Last year, sales dropped by 18.3%, to 106,000 units, while this year, around 70,000 cars were sold in the first nine months, down 11%.
AutoItalia on Wednesday revealed the new models Lancia Thema, Lancia Ypsilon, Fiat Freemont, Fiat 500 Cabrio and Infinti M Hybrid, which will be up for sale soon.