According to ZF estimates based on information from dealers, the multipurpose vehicle will have a starting price of EUR13,500, VAT included, almost EUR2,000 less than the first official prices announced in Western Europe. B-Max will be cheaper in Romania than rival Opel Meriva, whose price starts from EUR14,170, but more expensive than a Citroen C3 Picasso, which costs upwards of EUR12,750.
For the top version there is no estimate so far, but in France and Germany the model with a 95 HP engine and top trim costs over EUR22,000, which makes it the most expensive car manufactured in Romania, ahead of Dacia Duster.
The first cars will hit the showrooms as late as July, while deliveries to clients could start in September. The US company wants to deliver over 500 units of the new B-Max in the second half of the year, according to Henrik Nenzen, general manager of Ford Romania, i.e. almost ten times as many as the sales of C3 Picasso in the full 2011 and five times the sales of Opel Meriva.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)