The number of vehicles acquired in leasing grew by 46% in the first six months of the year against the similar period of last year, to 58,438, cumulating some 43% of the total sales, according to data from the Association of Automotive Manufacturers and Importers of Romania (APIA). New imported cars acquired in leasing totalled 30,358 units in the first six months, a 31.7% growth against the same period of 2005.

The pace of growth slowed down compared with the same period last year, when sales in leasing increased by 57% against 2004. The rise however stays very close to the growth of total sales of imported cars, which stood at 31.8% in the January-June period of this year. Of all the options for purchasing foreign cars, leasing has maintained at the 52% seen in the first half of last year, with the difference being covered by funding through bank credits and by payments in cash upon purchase. Skoda remains the top imported brand acquired through leasing, with 4,680 units, a 27.5% growth.

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