More than 156,000 vehicles were delivered in Romania last year, an increase of 10% on the previous year, according to market data. Used car imports stood at 520,000 units, 75% more than in 2016. The auto market reached more than EUR3 billion in value last year, according to ZF’s calculations.
On the other hand, had the environmental stamp duty not have been dropped on February 1, 2017, the market would have gone up to as much as 180,000 vehicles, market players say.
Car dealers in Romania sold a total of 130,000 cars last year, 13% more than in 2016, Sales of commercial utility vehicles dropped 5% to 23,000 units. Heavy trucks of over 16 tons saw the biggest decline, 26% to fewer than 6,500 units in 2017. Rising consumer spending and trade could not offset the lack of drivers and the changing legislation in Western Europe so most carriers only refreshed part of their fleets instead of expanding them.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)