Automobile Bavaria Group, the Romanian importer of the car brand BMW, revamped its two showrooms in Bucharest and in Constanta, with investments of EUR 5 million. The Otopeni showroom, built in 1997 and its first headquarters, required investments of EUR 2.5 million for a six-month renovation period. Revamping of the Constanta showroom happened at the same time, with both investments planned from 2008 but delayed because of the crisis.

“Last year, the premium market showed the first signs of revival, and we told ourselves we should finalize these investments,” said Michael Schmidt, who founded Automobile Bavaria 18 years ago.

Automobile Bavaria ended 2011 with a turnover of EUR 285 million, 42 percent over the level in 2010. The company imports BMW, Mini, Rolls Royce and MAN trucks. Its turnover increase was fueled by the Germany showroom and the increase in sales on the truck segment. BMW sales were up 18 percent last year. The company's target for this year is to up turnover by 10 percent and sell some 1,500 BMW cars.

editor@romania-insider.com