4 Februarie 2010
Top best-selling luxury cars in 2009
Luxury car sales fell 56% to 4,234 vehicles last year, from 9,554 in 2008. However, many of the nameplates in 2008 top 10 list have remained the best-selling luxury cars through the 12 months ending December 31.
Cadillac - 2 units
The car maker sold a CTS and an Escalade in Romania in 2009.
In 2008, Cadillac sold 13 CTS units, 12 BLS, 9 Escalade and 4 SRX.
Infiniti - 8 units
The best selling models last year have been the FX SUVs, with four new registrations. Autoitalia sold in 2009 one EX model, one G sedan, G coupe, and one G convertible.
Infiniti is available in two petrol options: 3.7-liter 320 HP and 4.0 liter 390HP only for the FX SUV.
Jaguar - 58 units
In Romania, 58 Jaguar vehicles were registered last year, versus 228 in 2008.
Jaguar’s best-selling models in Romania have been the XF (26 units) and X-Type (13 units). In 2009, the carmaker sold four XJ cars, 3 XKR, one XK8 coupe and one S-Type.
Lexus - 60 units
The RX SUV and IS sedan have been the best-selling Lexus cars last year, with 35 units and 14 respectively.
Lexus launched this year the new generation of the hybrid SUV RX450H and the convertible IS250C.
The second generation of RX has a 3.5-liter petrol engine that puts out 249HP and two electric engines.
Porsche - 71 units
The importer sold 44 Cayenne, 9 Panamera and 911 Carrera each, which have been the best selling Porsche models in the local market.
The car maker also sold 5 Cayman, 3 Boxter, and one 911 Turbo.
Porsche rolled out in 2008 its new Cayenne Diesel, Cayman facelift, Boxer facelift, and in 2009, it shipped its first limousine in the brand’s history, Panamera.
Land Rover - 378 units
Notwithstanding the sharp drop in sales, Land Rover remained the fourth best-selling luxury car in 2009.
Land Rover Freelander 2 and Range Rover Sport have been the best selling models in Romania last year, with 95 units sold and 86 respectively.
In 2009, the manufacturer sold 73 Discovery, 52 Defender 110, 30 Range Rover, 23 Defender 130 SUVs, 15 Defender 90 and 4 Discovery 4.
Premium Auto, the importer of Land Rover and Jaguar in Romania, brought three brand new Land Rover models in Romania, Discovery 4 SUVs, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport.
BMW - 1,138 units
The German brand sold 1,138 cars last year in Romania, down 54% from 2,446 cars in 2008.
BMW X5 and 3 Series have been the most popular models of BMW lineup, with 298 units sold and 237 respectively.
The company launched two new models last year, BMW 5 Series GT and X1.
Mercedes-Benz - 1,230 units
The E-Class and C-Class have been the most popular cars in Mercedes range, with 230 registrations and 222 respectively.
Mercedes-Benz Romania launched the new E-Class limousine last year, available in power output options from 136HP to 388HP. The car is priced at €39,270 while the new E-Class coupe costs between €44.685 and €66.045.
The company unveiled in November 2009, the break version of the new E-Class generation, available at €42,483.
Audi - 1,289
Audi leads the pack with 1,289 new car registrations in 2009, down 55% from 2,856 a year earlier.
The most popular Audi models have been A4 (384 units), Q5 (263 units) and A3 (256 units).
In 2009, Audi shipped the new A5 convertible in Romania, available for €33.586 and the new Audi A5 Sportback at a starting price of €34.841 for the 2.0-liter petrol engine that produces 180HP, Audi S4, Audi A4 allroad and a new version of Audi Q7.
For 2010, Audi plans to continue its model range expansion, preparing for delivery the new Audi A8, Audi A1, Audi A7 and TT facelift.
E.N: All prices include VAT