The launch of the old car scrappage scheme slowed down new car sales decline to 20% in March, after more than 16 months of 40-50% decreases. A number of 10,500 new cars were sold in March, down around 20% from the same month of 2009, according to the data several players on the market sent ZF, so that car sales revolved around 18,000 units in the first quarter. "In the first quarter of this year, car sales dropped by around 40% from the same period of last year," underscored Catalin Manta, head of Chevrolet brand with General Motors Romania, Opel and Chevrolet importer domestically. "The March car sales increase is not something temporary, but an upward trend on the market generated by the scrappage scheme," said Constantin Stroe, vice-president with Automobile Dacia, who is also the chairman of the Association of Carmakers of Romania (ACAROM). Car sales will again follow an upward trend starting the second half of this year, supported by the scrappage scheme and lending thaw-up, according to Brent Valmar, general manager of Porsche Romania.

The launch of the old car scrappage scheme slowed down new car sales decline to 20% in March, after more than 16 months of 40-50% decreases. A number of 10,500 new cars were sold in March, down around 20% from the same month of 2009, according to the data several players on the market sent ZF, so that car sales revolved around 18,000 units in the first quarter. "In the first quarter of this year, car sales dropped by around 40% from the same period of last year," underscored Catalin Manta, head of Chevrolet brand with General Motors Romania, Opel and Chevrolet importer domestically. "The March car sales increase is not something temporary, but an upward trend on the market generated by the scrappage scheme," said Constantin Stroe, vice-president with Automobile Dacia, who is also the chairman of the Association of Carma