Dacia makes 54m-euro profit in 2009

Automobile Dacia, the second-largest company on the Romanian
market in terms of turnover, posted 230.2 million-RON (54
million-euro) profit last year, compared with 222.2 million RON
(60.3 million euros) in 2008, according to data published by the
company in a report of the merger by absorption of international
subsidiary Auto Chassis. “These are estimates, related to the
merger, the figures are not final and validated by the General
Meeting of Shareholders. The final results will be presented in
spring,” said Liviu Ion, communication manager of Automobile Dacia.
The rise in Dacia’s profit in RON is not proportionate to the rise
in the company’s production and exports in 2009. Last year the
plant sold more than 311,000 cars, 20% more than in the previous
year, with most cars exported to Western Europe. The main reasons
for this lack of correlation are the cut in the producer’s margins,
the rise in the cost of exports as volumes increased, general cost
increases, and the financial efforts that went into supporting
commercial sales programmes.