With an approximately 34% share of the SUV market, and a 60% increase in overall sales against last year, the total value of Hyundai vehicles sold in 2007 is forecast to exceed 190 million euros.
This year, Hyundai Auto Romania targets a 60% increase against 2006, which would push the number of units sold to almost 12,300.
"Our 2008 target is to register 30 to 50% growth rate, triggered mainly by a rise in imports and by the launch of at least four new models. The average price of a Hyundai car is between 10 and 11 thousand euros, while the price of a SUV is between 20 and 21,000 euros," said Narcis Ghita, general manager of Hyundai Auto Romania.
According to ZF estimates, the value of Hyundai vehicles sold in the first nine months of the year reached around 134.5 million euros, which corresponds to 8,815 units sold between January and September. As a result, if one considers 12,300 as the total number of units sold, the importer's turnover would reach 190 million euros this year, according to ZF calculations.
"The majority of models are sold as part of a special offer, which reflects the position held by Hyundai on the market of imported vehicles," said Narcis Ghita.
According to APIA (Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association) representatives, the Romanian market is forecast to reach 340,000 vehicles this year, up 14.4% against last year, while sales of new vehicles increased by 23.9% in the first nine months of the year. During the same interval, imports increased by 52.4%.
"For 2008, estimates appear to indicate overall market growth of around 10-20%. In terms of the market's segmentation, we believe imports will continue to be in high demand, as long as the agreement between Automobile Craiova and Ford continues to encounter problems and there is no other player in the automotive field with domestic pr
