In January, sales of new cars soared by almost 43% against the same period in 2007, and overturned the expectations of most players on the market, after a 5% growth rate was announced.

Imports maintained the above 50% growth rate posted in 2007 and reached 16,429 units, while overall sales went beyond 23,350 units, up 43% on last year, according to statistical data provided by the Association of Automotive Manufacturers and Importers (APIA).

In comparison, in January 2007 sales of cars manufactured in Romania fell by 5.5%, primarily due to the effect of the first registration tax, while imports jumped by 21%, way below the 50% growth rate registered for the entire of 2007.

"(...) In terms of market growth, the level will be below 10% this year, while imports will rise by 15%," states Constantin Stroe, deputy chairman of Automobile Dacia, and chairman of the Association of Romania's Carmakers (ACAROM).

Alfred Suter, general manager of General Motors for Romania and Bulgaria, also suggests the new car tax created a "pre-buy" effect, and anticipated such a phenomenon would emerge on the car market.

For the first time in recent years, Dacia, the most important domestic carmaker, boasted a strong sales increase, by over 30% in the case of passenger cars to 5,862 units, and an overall 40% advance, if sales figures for the Logan Van are taken into account.

Dacia exports increased by 27% in January to 12,782 units, with France still the main destination. "The increase Dacia posted both domestically and on Western European markets came amid the plant's improved production capacity to 330,000 units.

In Romania, sales were inclusively boosted by the population's rising incomes. In 2008, Dacia sales are expected to increase by around 5%," explains Stroe.

The highest increase among the top 15 import brands was registered by the Kia-