“Sales of large fleets have returned. Many postponed [purchases] last year, and now we are selling what we didn’t in 2020. We took orders, we are in the field, we have no delivery problems. There is demand and I have a 2007 déjà vu. For instance, last year, demand came because of the need for mobility as a result of the pandemic. Now people want a new car,” Alin Tapalaga said.
Porsche Inter Auto is the importer of Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini brands and a dealer of VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda, with four centers in Bucharest and one in Timisoara.
Demand for new cars was really high in the first quarter, which is now driven by the fleet refresh scheme.
“We’re talking higher than expected volumes. We had an outstanding first quarter. The way the market looks now, there is high demand, especially since the Rabla (clunkers scheme i.e.) started. There are stocks at the moment, but the market has a problem in that regard.”
Vehicle registrations varied in the first four months of 2020, with a significant rise in March and April, two months affected by the lockdown in 2020.
Car registrations were 58.2% higher in April (6,747 units) than in the year-ago month.
However, due to the declines in the first two months, the overall registrations in January-April were down 14.5% on the year-ago period, according to Romania’s department of motor vehicles (DRPCIV).
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)