Trust Motors Gets A 20% Boost From Adding Citroen Imports

01.14.2014 By Bogdan Alecu

Trust Motors, the long-time importer of Peugeot cars in Romania, saw its revenue rise by EUR10 million last year to over EUR60 million after it took over Citroen imports as well starting January 2013.

“The takeover of Citroen brand strengthened Trust Motors business, both financially and operationally, and was also the main notable event of 2013. Amid an estimated car market decline of 7%, adding the Citroen brand brought the company a 20% revenue increase,” said Narcis Ghita, general manager of Trust Motors.

The company is thus the first importer to report growing revenue, amid a depressed car market.

In the first 11 months of 2013, Romanian car sales fell 7.2% on the year to 62,033 units, according to data provided by the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association, or APIA.

However, Trust Motors’ total sales advanced by over 40% in volume, to over 3,700 cars, according to ZF estimates, based on the 11-month data. As a result, Trust Motors climbed to the fifth position in the car importers’ ranking by volumes, from seven in 2012, according to ZF calculations.

In late 2012, Citroen withdrew the office in Romania, the first and only such decision made by a carmaker on the local market.

Trust Motors currently manages a network of 45 car centers, one of the largest dealer network nationwide.

(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)