Poland’s new car sales rise by 21% in February
According to preliminary data published by auto market research agency Samar, Poland's new car sales amounted to 30'340 units in February, up by 21% compared to the same period of 2003. This figure brought the two month result to 59'451 units with an increase of 12.7%. Samar emphasized that the upward trend will be maintained in the coming months, however the situation could change after May 1, when Poland joins the EU. The increase in sales is attributed to the rising prices and expected changes in the VAT regulations, but those same factors are expected to decrease the sales by 10% in the second half of the year. Under these circumstances, Samar estimates sales to reach about 320'000 units at the end of 2004, which will be lower than the 353'680 units recorded in 2003. The agency also expressed that the sales could decrease because of the strengthening of Euro against Polish currency Zloty and the reopening of the Polish market for used cars from EU. Fiat Auto held onto its market lead as its February sales rose by 39.4% to 6'203 units. Its market share was 22.9% in February. Czech automaker Skoda was in second place with 3'705 units. Market share of Skoda was up to 12.9% after February. Moreover, Toyota surpassed France's Renault and took third place. Toyota's February sales soared by 57.4% to 4'305 units and its market share was increased to 12.4%.