Sales of new passenger cars in Romania increased by 16.8% in the first quarter of 2015 (Q1 2015) compared to the same period of last year, after a strong 32% growth in sales in March, according to the Romanian Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association APIA.

Nine of the top ten best-selling brands posted higher sales year-on-year.

Romanian brand Dacia tops the ranking with 6,249 cars sold, up by a third compared to the first three months of 2014. Italian car maker Fiat had the highest sales increase of the top ten brands, of more than 60%, and French producer Renault sold 42% more cars.

Here is the full top 10 makers by number of passenger cars sold in Q1 2015 (sales increase between brackets):

1.       Dacia                     6,249 (+32.3%)
2.       Skoda                   1,735 (+14.0%)
3.       Volkswagen          1,616 (+5.4%)
4.       Ford                      1,338 (+16.4%)
5.       Renault                 1,116 (+42.1%)
6.       Opel                         699 (+8.9%)
7.       Fiat                           488 (+60.5%)
8.       Hyundai                   475 (+18.5%)
9.       Toyota                      474 (-13.4%)
10.    Mercedes Benz        421 (+20.3%)
Others                   3,287 (-2.2%)
TOTAL                  17,900 (+16.8%)

Dacia Logan was the best-selling model in the first three months, with more than 2,600 units sold, up by 66% compared to the first three months of 2014. Dacia Duster came second, with 1,635 units sold, up by more than half, and Dacia Sandero was third, with 1,114 units sold.

Skoda Ocravia was the best-selling import model, with 820 units, followed by Ford Fiesta (552 units) and Skoda Rapid (545 units).

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editor@romania-insider.com