The cash-for-clunkers program started in may and its effects will be felt in the coming months, so the market could end the year with over 110,000 new cars. The number of imported second-hand car registrations was at a monthly average of 47,000 units after the environmental tax was eliminated and the imported second-hand car market could exceed half a million units by the end of the year, said Autovit.ro sales manager Cristian Cojocaru.
The new car market grew 27% in the first six months, to 45,000 units, its best evolution since 2009, according to Romania’s driving license and vehicle registrations department.
The imported second-hand car market grew 86%, to 253,000 units. February saw a record number of 68,000 second-hand cars registered.
Registrations of second-hand cars domestically grew 130%.
German brands dominate sales ads on Autovit.ro, with Volkswagen in the lead, covering nearly 18% of all classifieds, followed by BMW (13.8%), Mercedes (10.5%), Audi (9.5%), and Opel (7.2%). Among the top ten car brands for sale on the platform are Ford (6.8%), Skoda (4.8%), Renault (3.7%), Dacia (3.6%), and Toyota (2%).