With sales of 2,000 units in this period, down 4% from the first six months of 2010, Skoda Octavia won the battle with Renault Clio (which includes sales of the Symbol sedan), which has held the leading position in the industry in recent years.
ZF’s analysis, which took into account only the imported models, also shows that the best-selling version in the case of Octavia was not the gas-engine, but the TDI 1.6-liter, whose price starts from almost EUR15,700 (VAT included) and which was launched in the current form in the second half of 2008. The basic version has a starting price of EUR12,150.
As a matter of fact, in the ranking of the ten best-selling import passenger cars, it was the expensive models that climbed, according to a ZF analysis based on APIA data.
Companies on the market say it is not unusual for more expensive models to replace the cheaper ones at the top of the ranking. “As the number of modern cars on the market rises, new expectations are created and clients are more educated and want an ever better car,” said Alin Talapaga, head of Porsche Inter Auto, the retail arm of Porsche Romania.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu; Editing by Radu Bostan)