Dacia boosts Renault share on the European market

Registrations of new Dacia automobiles rose by 30.8 pc in Europe during January-August this year, against a market drop by 8 pc as a whole, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), quoted by Mediafax. This is the result of car fleet renewal programs enforced by the governments of several European states. The number of new Dacia cars that hit the roads of EU member states - Malta and Cyprus excluded - and of EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries - Switzerland, Norway and Iceland - rose from 122,387 units during January-August 2008 to 160,050 units in the same interval of 2009.

Thus, the market share held by the Renault-controlled Romanian car maker rose from 1.2 to 1.7. In August, Dacia registrations went up to 18,947 new cars, from 13,656 a year ago, while the market share increased from 1.7 to 2.3 pc.

As a whole, the European car market shrank 8.1 pc in terms of new automobiles registered during January-August 2009, compared to a year ago, i.e. from 10,414,134 to 9,565,517 units. However, in August it regained 3 pc, going up to 829,083 from 804,896 units in July. Dacia thus outperformed brands like Mazda, KIA, Chevrolet or Volvo, in terms of new car registrations, and it nears Honda and Suzuki. Volkswagen kept its position of biggest European manufacturer, followed by PSA Peugeot Citroen group, Ford, General Motors, Fiat and Renault.

On the other hand, Renault yesterday presented four electric propulsion concepts at the Frankfurt Auto Show. All four models will soon go in production and one of the four, Fluence, will be launched in Romania at the end of 2011, the head of the Renault brand in Romania, Dora Pasare said, quoted by Mediafax.

Romanian car market - 14th in the EU

The Romanian car market lost three positions in the EU during the first eight months of the year, down to the 14th place, with a much more abrupt decrease in terms of new cars registrations, compared to the average across Europe. Registrations of new automobiles tumbled down almost 60 pc during January-August this year, compared to the same interval of 2008. Germany held its position of largest car market in Europe, with an increase exceeding 26 per cent in terms of new units, during the first eight months of 2009. Next come France and Italy, with some 1.4 million new units each registered during January-August this year.

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