Romania July 2021: Suzuki (+122.9%), Kia (+121.5%), Hyundai (+104.9%) help lift market up 19.6%

Suzuki sales are up 122.9% year-on-year in July in Romania.

The Romanian new car market bounces back up 19.6% year-on-year in July to 15.493 units, taking advantage of a particularly low comparison base in July 2020 when sales fell -44.2% on the year prior. The year-to-date tally tilts back into positive at +1% to 63.182. Like last month, brand leader Dacia (+6.2%) fares significantly worse than the market albeit still manages a positive result and a stellar 30% share vs. 23.8% so far this year. Hyundai (+104.9%) leaps up six spots on June to land in 2nd place overall, scoring the largest gain in the Top 6 by far. Volkswagen (+19.3%) matches the market at #3, distancing Toyota (+52.7%) and Ford (+38.6%) both in outstanding shape. Suzuki (+122.9%) and Kia (+121.5%) post the biggest upticks in the Top 10 with Peugeot (+45.8%) also dynamic but Renault (-19.6%) missing out on the market euphoria at #8 vs. #2 last month. Further down, Audi (+115.7%), Mini (+100%), Ssangyong (+86.4%), Mazda (+80.4%) and Citroen (+66.5%) stand out.

Model-wise, the Dacia Logan (-14.6%) bucks the positive trend but remains the most popular nameplate at home with 11.9% share vs. 9.3% so far this year. The Dacia Sandero (+23.8%) and Duster (+33.2%) round out the podium like last month and both outpace the market. The locally made Ford Puma (+126.9%) remains in 4th place and also snaps this ranking year-to-date, becoming the best-selling non-Dacia vehicle in Romania for 2021. Below, the Hyundai Tucson (+231.2%) and Toyota Corolla (+125.2%) also post surreal year-on-year gains to end the month at #5 and #6 respectively. The Suzuki Vitara (+74.9%) and Hyundai Kona (+61.6%) also deliver sizeable upticks in the remainder of the Top 10. Further down, the VW Polo (+408.5%), Suzuki SX4 (+260.3%), Kia Sportage (+226.7%) and Suzuki Swift (+146.2%) make themselves noticed. The Citroen C4 (#47) is the best-selling recent launch in the country above the Renault Arkana (#60), VW ID.4 (#68) and ID.3 (#75).

Previous month: Romania June 2021: Dacia (-15.3%) can’t keep up with market up 16.6%

One year ago: Romania July 2020: Ford Puma, VW Golf, Fiat Tipo defy worsening market (-44.2%)

Full July 2021 Top 45 All-brands and Top XXX All-models below.