While still being in a difficult situation like the rest of the Romanian and European economy, Autoitalia, the Romanian importer of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, Infiniti, Ssang Yong, Honda, Segway (and soon Abarth…) brands is preparing itself for better times already. The company currently operates a network of 35 local dealerships covering most counties. Autoitalia’s most modern integrated auto complex was opened in Bucharest at the end of 2009. Developed in the Colentina district with an investment of EUR 5 M, the facility stands on a total of 4,453 sq m and focuses on services, personnel, design and speciality equipment for the Fiat, Fiat Professional, Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands. But the importer’s ambitions did not end there. For further clarifications we have talked to the General Manager of the Autoitalia Group, Herbert Stein, who kindly agreed to answer a few questions:

What was 2009 like to Autoitalia?

It was not an easy year and I must say that, in my opinion, the crisis won’t end too soon. Compared to 20078 when we had sold a total of 16,065 units with Panda, Punto, Linea and Grande Punto being best-sellers, in 2009 we experienced a dramatic fall of 60 per cent to just 7,059 units. At least from the point of view of the automotive market, Romania is 1-2 years behind other countries in Europe. I am not a specialist, but I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel yet! Last year, we were hoping things would improve after Q1 2010, but, unfortunately, we were wrong. Let’s hope it will end in 2011 if not 2012. In the meantime, the company has to survive, we’ll have to cut expenditures, perhaps even personnel expenditures, we shall see. Nevertheless, we have continued with our investing programme because, sooner or later, this crisis will be over and we must be ready for that. Last year we opened three new integrated auto complexes: in Bucharest, Focsani and Iasi. We will hopefully open two more soon: in Bacau and Tulcea. We are trying to stay optimistic.

What are you preparing for 2010?

We will launch new models and will open a new show-room in Bucharest, at the City Gates – the twin towers that have been recently built at Romexpo. Very soon – March 25 – we will have the new Infiniti models on display at the City Gates. A new brand we will be launching on April 22 this year is Abarth, one of the world’s most prestigious racing car brands. In Romania, the range will include both the street models: Abarth 500 1.4 16 v Turbo T-jet 135 HP, Abarth Punto Evo 1.4 16v Turbo MAir 170 HP or Abarth 695 1,4 Turbo 185/160 HP Tributo, and the rally models: Abarth 500 Assetto Corse – Trofeo, Abarth 500 Rally – N Group and Abarth 500 Rally – R3T Group. In May we will launch an all-time exclusive - Alfa 8C Spider. Romania will be one of the few countries in the world to have the privilege to unveil and sell one of the world’s most wanted automobiles. Produced in a limited series of only 500 units and dedicated to the most passionate collectors, the 8C Spider is a ‘purebred’ super-car in the most profound Alfa Romeo spirit. The launch marks the centenary Italian brand in a very nice way this year.

In 2010, most likely in May, we will also launch the new Fiat Punto Evo, the third member of the Punto family next to Punto Classic and Grande Punto. It is, in fact, the first Fiat equipped with the new MultiAir engines using a technology that, like MultiJet, has been designed to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions by nearly 10 per cent and to bring a net performance advantage augmenting power by some 15 per cent. In 2010 we will also launch Fiat 500 by Diesel, Fiat 500 Cabrio, Alfa Mito Multiair and the new Doblo Panorama. We will make efforts to stabilize Fiat sales and help country dealers survive.

What are your expectations from the Government in terms of economic policies?

I am not a Romanian national; therefore I don’t think I should comment on governmental policies. One thing I must say is that the so-called ‘Rabla’ voluntary vehicle retirement programme was a mistake! It did function in the first year, but it turned out to be a disaster in the following years. Instead of boosting new car sales, it created a big illegal market for vouchers. The scrapping premium is only EUR 800 compared to Germany where it is EUR 2,500 and up to EUR 6,000 in Italy. It is a known fact that the two most powerful engines of any economy are the construction and automotive industries. Sooner or later, we need to start asking for normal prices, because, in the last six months, we have offered massive discounts in order to sell out existing stocks which we did, but going back to normal prices will be a difficult thing to do.