Car market preview: Models to be launched in Romania in 2009

Although the car producers aren’t very optimistic about the sales in 2009, when the crisis will lead to a production decrease, the launching of new models will not be affected. The Romanian market will see a series of new and interesting models next year, from the smallest Alfa Romeo and the supermini Toyota, to the new Renault, VW and Ford generations. Local producer Dacia will start working on its first SUV, scheduled to be launched in 2010.

In brief:

The Autoitalia importer will launch at the beginning of 2009 the compact Alfa Romeo MiTo, with three engine versions, ranging from 78 to 155 HP.

-Audi prepares to launch the A4 Allroad and the A5 cabrio, along with A5 Sportback and the face lifted Q7 SUV.

-The main news from BMW is the new Z4 sports car. Chevrolet prepares to introduce Cruze, the replacing model for Lacetti.

-Citroen prepared an interesting offer with its C3 Picasso mono-volume, coproduced in Slovakia.

-For those with the finances untouched by the crisis, Ferrari will offer its California model, for 180,000 Euros.

-Ford prepares to launch its Ka supermini and the new Fiesta. Korean Hyundai also prepares to replace the Getz model with i20, while its fellow Kia will introduce the Soul crossover.

-Nissan will attempt to restart sales with a larger Qashqai, while Peugeot will offer a convertible 308 and the 3008 SUV.

-Porsche has high expectations from its Panamera sedan, a competition for CLS63 AMG and Maserati Quattroporte.

-The spring at Renault brings the new Megane hatchback and the Laguna coupe.

-Seat will launch an expected model – the medium class Exeo, while Toyota prepared the iQ supermini and the Urban Cruiser city SUV. Volkswagen will launch its new Polo generation and the Golf Plus model.