The crisis in the auto sector is going on for over 3 months. But even if Tunisian exports in auto parts rose by over 20%, figures of the last quarter of 2008 compared with the same period of 2007, report a 5 % decline.
Regarding car sales, they reached during 2008 first 11 months 28,668 VP, according to figures released by technical transport Agency'(ATTT). These sales were up nearly 2% (1.8% exactly).
Best sales.
A more detailed reading of these figures provides a clearer picture of car dealer business and best sales. During the eleven months of last year, the German Volkswagen has garnered the lion’s share of sales in Tunisia. Ennakl sales increased by more than 6% compared to figures of the eleven months of 2007.
This rise in sales of the German brand was made possible through shares taken out from other car brands, including those whose sales fell . The most visible declines in sales were those of Citroen, Ford, Mazda and Renault.
As far as compact city category is concerned, the top two were the Renault Clio (1752 units sold in 2008), far ahead of its direct competitor Polo (1654) Volkswagen (VW). Then come Uno & Punto Fiat, Peugeot 2006 and Citroen C3.
In the compact sedan segment, the VW Golf 5 ranks first (300 sold), very far ahead of its direct competitors, the Opel Astra (166 units), the Citroen C4 Mégane which is losing ground.
In the segment of Sedan & Breaks, German VW another brand is first: Passat with 648 units, followed closely by C5 (237 units) which is tearing up the second best sales and then the rest of brands. The German one has consolidated its position as “brand of the year 2008), in the segment of high-end sedans, where the Audi 6 (52 units sold) outranks its rival BMW 5 (14 sales), Mercedes and Peugeot 607 (only one car sold).
