Top selling imported car brands

The top ten car importers sold more than 192,774 units last year, up 48% against 2006. Renault remained last year’s leader and sold 32,308 units, up 37% against 2006, and was the first imported brand whose sales exceeded the 30,000-unit mark. The best-selling model was the Symbol, with 13,400 units, followed by the Megane, with 11,800 units. Renault will launch the new Laguna model in the first quarter of this year, the French carmaker’s D-class model, with the Koleos SUV scheduled to hit the market halfway through the year. “In 2008, Renault will remain the best-selling import brand. Even in 2000, when it failed to launch any new models, Renault held its position as leader,” said Constantin Stroe, vice-president of Automobile Dacia, and president of the Association of Romanian Automotive Manufacturers (ACAROM). The second and third positions are filled by Volkswagen and Skoda, brands imported by Porsche Romania, which sold 26,215 units and 24,854 units respectively.