Toyota reorganises dealer network by closing small units

The dealer network of the Toyota Japanese brand is set to undergo a process of reorganisation over the next two years, with small showrooms, such as the ones placed on the ground floor of blocks of flats, to be gradually closed, say the representatives of Toyota Romania. They add that to open a showroom in Bucharest in line with 3S norms (showroom, services and spare part warehouse) requires investments worth around 5m euros, but the cost can also depend on the price of land in the location. At present, Toyota’s dealer network includes 23 sales points, five of which are in Bucharest. A significant share is represented by small showrooms, which only provide sales services. “Starting 2009, all Toyota dealers in Romania will comply with the 3S standards, based on the model in Pipera,” stated Mihai Bordeanu, a marketing manager with Toyota Romania. However, the reorganisation of the dealer network will delay the opening of new showrooms, as investments in the modernisation of existing units will be entirely handled by the dealers. In the first 7 months of 2007, Toyota registered a 79% increase in sales against the same period last year and reached 5,384 units for both Toyota and Lexus brands.