Cars and commercial vehicles sales grew by 43% in January 2008, as compared to the first month of 2007, up to 23,000 units while exports advanced by 27%, Romanian car producers and importers association (APIA) informs. Local producer Dacia holds 27% of the domestic market and is closely followed by Skoda 8%, Renault with 7.9%, Ford with 7.2% and Volkswagen with 7%.

The total sale of cars, commercial vehicles and buses amounted to 23,369 units as compared 16,000 units in the same month in 2007. For cars, sales grew by 38% up to 19,700 while commercial vehicle sales almost doubled at 3,400 units.

Romanians seem to prefer more diesel cars considering that sales in this area grew to 47.4% as compared to the previous year. Imported car sales grew steadily this year by 50%, exceeding 16,000 units.