Dacia registers highest sales increase in Europe

Dacia registered the highest sales increase in on the European market last year, by 85.9%, following the success of Logan model, according to a survey conducted by UK-based market research company Jato Dynamics. The volume of the European car market increased by 0.8% in 2007 and reached 15,688,137 units. The Jato Dynamics survey was conducted in 27 European countries, excluding the new EU members, Romania and Bulgaria. Dacia produced 215,278 vehicles last year, a 21.6% increase on 2006, according the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association. More than half of overall production was exported to around 49 countries. The best-selling brand in Europe was Volkswagen, with over 1.6 million units, ahead of Opel, which sold just over 1.3 million units. However, VW sales dropped in 2007, by 3.8% against the previous year, while Opel sales climbed by 0.1% and Ford sales by 1.1%. Renault held the next position, with 1.17 cars sold, down 9.3% against the previous year, followed by Peugeot, with 1.09 million units. The top ten best-selling cars in Europe also include Fiat, Citroen, Toyota, Mercedes and BMW. Fiat was the brand that registered the most rapid increase in sales (7.7%), following the launch of new models such as Bravo, 500, Sedici, Linea and Scudo. The best-selling model in Europe was the Peugeot 207, with 437,505 units, up 105% compared with 2006, followed by Volkswagen Golf, with 435,055 units, up 4.5% on 2006.