Romania July 2020: Ford Puma (#9), VW Golf (+20.3%), Fiat Tipo (+138.5%) defy worsening market (-44.2%)

The Ford Puma breaks into the Romanian Top 10 in July.

The Romanian new car market takes a turn for the worse in July at a devastating -44.2% year-on-year to just 12.950 registrations, compared to a -27.8% slump in June and the steepest year-on-year fall of any European market we have covered July data for so far. The year-to-date tally is now down -34% to 62.566 This relapse could be connected to a particularly high comparison base in July 2019 (+52.6%) but also to the 2nd wave of coronavirus cases that has affected the country from early July onwards with daily new cases records being broken from July 7 on (555) and reaching an all-time high of 1.356 on July 29. Romania has gone from 27.296 total cases as of July 1 to 57.895 at the time of writing this article, and many European countries have reinstated travel restrictions for Romanian citizens as a result, further complicating the economic situation of the country.

Daily COVID-19 cases in Romania. Source Johns Hopkins University.

Homegrown behemoth Dacia (-39.6%) falls slightly slower than the market, resulting in an improved 33.8% share or more than 1 in every 3 new vehicles sold in the country in July. Skoda (-45.9%) and Renault (-55.7%) underperform in the remainder of the podium, however the Czech brand manages to creep up to #2 year-to-date, dislodging Volkswagen (-34.8%) ranking #4 for the month. Fiat (+134.5%) is by far the biggest gainer in the Top 10, with Peugeot (+1.7%) the only additional gainer in the Top 19 just as Toyota (-23%) keeps its fall below the market rate but Ford (-61.2%), Suzuki (-54.6%) and Hyundai (-47%) freefall. Further down, Tesla (+750%), Maserati (+200%), Lamborghini (+66.7%), Ssangyong (+46.7%), Jeep (+38%) and Land Rover (+23.7%) defy the deflated market with significant gains.

The Fiat Tipo is up to a record 6th place in Romania in July.

Model-wise, the Dacia Logan (-44.5%) is unshakeable at the top with 16.7% share vs. 13.4% so far this year, the Dacia Sandero (-19.7%) remains in 2nd place above the Dacia Duster (-40%) and Renault Clio (-44.3%), replicating the June Top 4. The VW Golf (+20.3%) is starting to feel the effects of its 8th generation hitting dealerships and gains 11 spots on June to #5. The Fiat Tipo (+138.5%) is responsible for the brand’s surge (see above), shooting up 32 spots to land at #6, the nameplate’s first incursion into the Romanian Top 10 eclipsing its previous best of #13 hit in September 2019. Another newcomer in the Top 10 is the Ford Puma, up a further 3 spots on June to land at #9.

Previous month: Romania June 2020: Toyota (+16.9%), Ford Puma (#12) ignore market down -27.8%

One year ago: Romania July 2019: Renault, Ford lift market to 8th straight double-digit gain (+52.6%)

Full July 2020 Top 42 All-brands and Top 230 All-models below.