Ford sees Romanian market as having highest potential in CEE

Zoltan Brassai, chief operating officer of the National Sales Company of Ford Romania, which took over the US brand’s imports on August 1, still sees the domestic market as having the biggest potential in CEE.
“Romania is the most promising market in the CEE. Why is that? There’s a high level of training here, there are good schools, taxes are low and there’s a flat tax and, of course, the country is part of the European Union. If I were an investor, I’d invest in Romania now,” said Brassai, in an interview with ZF.
“The fact that Hungary’s market was double Romania’s ten years ago and the situation is reversed now, demonstrates the potential of the market. This is why Ford decided to come to Romania instead of Hungary or Slovakia, the European country with the highest automotive industry investments. I believe Ford’s decision to invest in Romania was better than Mercedes-Benz’s decision to build a factory in Hungary,” he added.
Starting August 1, Ford has been handling the import of the US brand onto the Romanian market directly, so that almost all brand distribution contracts are being re-discussed with each car dealer. Part of them have already signed a contract with the National Sales Company, but others are still in talks.
“At present, the Ford network of Romania is active in over 40 locations and we’re monitoring the current market conditions before going ahead with our expansion plans,” said Paul Flanagan, managing director of Ford’s NSC a week ago.
According to Brassai, another four new Ford centres will be opened by yearend.