Romanian brand Dacia had the biggest increase in new car registrations in the first quarter in France. Dacia saw the number of its new car registrations up a quarter, to some 22,500 units in the first quarter, according to data from the French Car Makers Committee. The increase occurred in a sluggish car market in France, which was down 14.7 percent compared to the first quarter of 2012, to some 433,000 units.

Other brands which posted new car registration increases were Hyundai – up 24.2 percent, Lexus, with 11 percent, Toyota, up 3.2 percent.

Renault, the owner of Romanian brand Dacia, saw its sales down by 9 percent in the first quarter of 2013, to some 104,000.

Dacia Sandero ranks 10th among the best sold cars in France, with 9,000 units and a market share of 2.1 percent. Dacia's SUV Duster ranks 14th, while Lodgy, 27th, and Dokker, 72nd.

Dacia's sales worldwide were up 4.8 percent last year compared to 2011, to some 360,000 units. Around 6 percent were sold in Romania, and its largest markets were France – 23 percent of the sales, Germany – 13 percent, Algeria, Turkey and Italy.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Dacia Groupe)