New car sales in Romania increased 3.7 percent in the first half of 2008, to 176,429 units, compared to the corresponding period in 2007, Business Standard reported. The advance is due to the delivery of light commercial vehicles and buses.

А total of 29,223 commercial vehicles were sold in Romania in the first half of 2008, a 29.3-percent year on year increase. Total sales dropped by 24.9% in June, compared to May.

The demand for commercial vehicles will continue to the end of the year, according to Constantin Stroe, Vice President of Automobile Dacia.

Exports reached a record 77,402 units, 30.9-percent year-on-year increase, while imports increased 14.7%, to 125,272 units.

Dacia is still the best-selling car in Romania, with 45,828 cars delivered in the first six months (26 percent market share).