Dacia, the traditional car producer in Romania, recorded decreasing sales in Romania for the first three months of the year, Renault press release reads. Still, Dacia is the firm leader (30% of all new cars sales) in a market severely affected by the huge car registration tax imposed by the Government.

According to the data at the Car Importers and Exporters Association (APIA), Dacia sold 18,487 units in Romania since the beginning of the year, less than the figures last year.

Meanwhile, exports increased 26.0, compared to Q1 in 2006, with peaks in the Logan and Logan MCV models.

In the Euromed region, including the Eastern Europe, Turkey and North Africa, sales increased 6.4%. The major growth came from the launching of the Logan model on the Russian market.

Still, total sales of the Renault group decreased 2.6% during the first three months of the year, down to 10.25 billion euros, compared to 10.54 billions in 2005.