Fiat and Maserati importer sees 67% surge

The growth witnessed by Auto Italia, the representative of the Italian group Fiat, goes beyond initial estimations and is superior to the overall rate of growth seen by the new car market.

The Auto Italia group, importing the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and SsangYong brands onto the domestic market, posted sales of more than 6,900 cars last year, 67% more than in the previous year.

The value is almost 40% higher than the level Herbert Stein, chairman of the company, had forecast in the first half of the year and is in line with the higher-than-expected increase registered by the car market at the level of the previous year. Among the brands imported by the company, Fiat is the best represented on the domestic market. With almost 4,200 sold cars, Fiat derived growth of more than 83% in comparison to the previous year, being from this point of view one of the most dynamic imported brands, together with others such as Renault, Skoda and Chevrolet. Fiat light commercial vehicles also posted significant growth, of 47%, with more than 2,000 sold units. Last year, Fiat Albea Star was the best selling model traded by Auto Italia Group, with more than 2,000 units sold, 3 times more than in the previous year.

Fiat Albea Star is positioned on the low cost car segment, which last year enjoyed the fastest growth pace on the car market.

Fiat Panda, from the mini range, also saw higher sales last year. The model, designated ”Car of year 2005”, registered almost 60% higher sales in 2005.

The most dynamic brand imported by Auto Italia at the level of last year was Ssang Yong.

The Asian brand registered growth of more than 67%, but sales volumes are still low, standing at less than 220 units. The best selling model is SsangYong Rexton. The Asian brand entered the importer”s portfolio in 2003, the same year the Italian luxury brand Maserati was included. The list of brands Auto Italia imports on the domestic market also includes Alfa Romeo, positioned on the upper segment of the car market. Moreover, starting 2005, the Lancia brand also started being officially sold on the Romanian market.

In parallel, Auto Italia also represents Honda motorbikes on the domestic market, with 160 motorbikes, motor scooters and ATVs sold last year.

In Bucharest last year, the Auto Italia group announced a project regarding the construction of a car mall, with an area of 20,000 square metres, showcasing all the brands traded by the company: Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, SsangYong, Maserati as well as Honda motorbikes. The project will involve investments of 10 million euros and will also include an underground garage. ionut.bonoiu@zf.ro