After having expanded to the Republic of Moldova last year, where a new dealer controlled by the BMW importer in Chisinau was established, it is now in talks to take over the network in Bulgaria.
“Talks to take over import on other markets in the region have just begun. Us having achieved 60% growth in Romania last year boosted the company’s confidence in us,” said Ionut Lupu, commercial manager of Honda Trading.
Sources close to the company say Bulgaria is the next market where Honda Trading Romania will expand, following in the footsteps of the local representative offices of luxury brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bentley, which sell both in Romania and in the region. Honda Trading will be the first importer selling hundreds of units a year to expand on neighboring markets.
Honda’s current representative in Bulgaria is a local company, Bultrako, which started this operation in 1992.
Honda sold 830 cars in Romania last year, almost 60% more than in 2014. Its best-seller was the CR-V SUV, 300 units, followed by Civic Sedan, about 250. Honda’s continued to grow at the same rate in January, when it sold 41 cars.
It expects 2016 growth to be 15% because it no longer has mid-range the model Accord and sells only four models, while competitors have a broader range, Ionut Lupu said.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)