Cars: Vehicle registrations in Romania increase by 8.9% in January, to over 12,700 units

 Vehicle registrations in Romania in January 2024 stand at 12,733 units, 8.9% more than in the similar month of 2023, representing approximately 83% of the total, according to a press statement released by the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers (APIA).At the same time, electrified vehicles recorded an increase of 34.3%, getting a market share of 28.2%, while registrations of new vehicles were up 4.9% as against January 2023.On the other hand, light commercial vehicles plus minibuses increased by 22.2%, and heavy vehicles plus bus by 3.6%.After the important development of previous months, January 2024 comes with a 6.4% increase in new vehicle registrations y-o-y and 11.7% on a monthly basis.In the first month of 2024, there is a mixed development of the segments in which cars are classified, as follows: A-Class (+0.8%), B-Class (-36.9%), C-Class (-12.7%), D-Class (+224.8%), E-Class (-4.7%), F-Class (+25.6%), SUV (+25.8%), MPV (+1091.1%) and Sport Class (+76.2%), y-o-y.In terms of market share, the SUV segment is in pole position with a share of 46.6%, up 7.8 percentage points (pp) from 2023, followed by Class C, with a share of 25.7%, up 5.3 pp and Class B with a share of 12.5%, down 8.2 pp compared to the share held in the same period last year.By the type of fuel of the registered vehicles, in the first month of this year, gasoline engines declined by 10.2 pp y-o-y, to 55.8%.As for vehicles equipped with diesel engines, they posted an increase by 4.1 pp y-o-y.On the other hand, full electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, as well as full hybrids in the first month of 2024 have a market share of 28.2%, which exceeds by 12.1 pp the share of diesel engines.At the same time, full electric vehicles make up 12.8% of the market in January 2024, as against January 2023, when they accounted for 9.6%.In the first month of 2024, it is worth noting the evolution at the top of the ranking, where the top 5 best-selling 100% electric vehicles are Dacia Spring, with 561 units and an increase of 12.9% y-o-y, Tesla Model 3, with 387 units and an increase of 741%, Tesla Model Y, with 176 units and an increase of 351%, Renault Megane, with 49 units, down 14%, and Volkswagen ID3, with 48 units, up 182%.Among the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the top 5 models are led by Ford Kuga, with 93 units and a 158% annual increase, followed by Hyundai Tucson, with 57 units and an increase of 78.1%, Toyota RAV4 and KIA Sportage, with 38 units each, and Renault Captur, with 37 units.Among the self-charging hybrid vehicles, Toyota C-HR is first, with 266 units, up 177%, followed by Toyota Corolla, with 206 units and 1.9% increase, then Toyota RAV4, with 144 units.Most brands and models are in positive territory y-o-y.