Didier Gerard, head of Citroën Romania, says that MPVs, generally families' favourite cars, will be the least harmed by the car market downturn, with their sales posting smaller declines or even increases.
"We expect the MPV segment to be least hurt by the crisis. For instance, Citroën registered increases for MPV in the range. In Europe, one of the segments boasting the strongest growth is that of small-class MPVs and in Romania this is very small," Gerard said.
Citroën this summer launched on the Romanian market the new C3 Picasso, the French carmaker's small-class MPV, preceded by C4 Picasso models.
The MPV segment in the first seven months of this year posted a 39% decline, smaller even than that of SUVs, which in previous years were boasting sustained growth.
In the first seven months of this year, Citroën sales on the Romanian market fell by 37%, to 1,562 units, on a market that contracted by over 56%. The French brand's market share reached 1.9% in July and 1.7% during January-July interval. By comparison, in the similar period of last year, Citroën's market share stood at 1.2%.
"Citroën increased its market share compared with last year. We're not far from the target we've set. In the second half of the year we plan to reach a market share a little above 2%," Gerard said.
The main problem of the market at this moment is the lack of financing and the tough conditions few can still meet, says the head of Citroën Romania. People still buying cars make cash payments. "In the second half of this year, car buyers will make cash payments, too," said Gerard.
Citroën Romania expects the market made of cars and light commercial vehicles to reach around 150,000 units this year, from 310,000 in 2008.
"In 2010, we expect the market to grow by 10% from 2009, to around 165,000 units. As regards Citroën brand, we want to boost our
