Romanian car producer Automobile Dacia increased its turnover by 7% in the first half of the year, although its total production dropped by 4% during this period, reports local Ziarul Financiar.

The growth was related to the higher share the SUV Duster had in the total production of the Dacia plant at Mioveni.

Automobile Dacia posted a turnover of EUR 2.4 billion between January and June this year. It saw the highest growth in the last three years. If the company keeps the same growth pace until the end of the year, its turnover will exceed RON 20.4 billion (EUR 4.5 billion).

The Duster SUV, the most expensive model Dacia produces, recorded a 20% increase in the number of units manufactured during the first half, to almost 104,000 units, or 60% of the plant’s production. Its share in Dacia’s total production amounted to 47% last year.

Yves Caracatzanis, the president of Dacia, said that Europe now wants a smart-buy because it is not in a crisis anymore.

editor@romania-insider.com