Delcar sees 21% surge in sales

Brasov-based Delcar, Romania’s largest Skoda dealer, saw its turnover rise by 26% to 14.4 million euros last year, amid the surge in the sales of Skoda vehicles.
The Brasov-based dealer sold 1,418 units last year, with Skoda Fabia being the most popular model, accounting for 42% of the sales, followed by Octavia Tour, 28%. The dealer reported a 21% surge in sales in 2006, compared with 2005 when it sold 1,168 units. The sales reported by Skoda on the domestic market have increased by only 6.9% last year.
“The special offers were a big growth factor. On the other hand, the partnerships sealed with strategic clients for car fleets helped us to considerably boost the sales volumes and the revenue derived from the car service segment,” said Simina Costan, general manager of the company.
The sales of car fleets accounted for almost half of the total sales reported in 2006. This trend has been constant since 2004 when Signus Romania, the distribution network for Murfatlar purchased 405 vehicles, the biggest order received by the company.
Mediplus, Sensiblu, Ozone, Europharm, Petrom Service, Domo Retail and Parmalat Romania are among the major clients in the company’s portfolio.
Retail accounted for 67% of the turnover derived by Delcar in 2006, down by 3% compared with 2005. Car service operations brought 4.7 million euros to the total turnover.
In terms of profit, the situation is different, as car service operations accounted for the bulk of the profit derived, namely 60%, while the remaining of 40% came from the sales of vehicles.
The rise in sales posted by the dealer last year, which exceeded the 13% average growth seen by the car market in Brasov has also been triggered by the German cars’ popularity among the inhabitants of Brasov region, said Simina Costan.