Porsche Romania, general importer of the luxury Bentley brand, received five orders in 2008, of which it has so far delivered two, Adrian Pascu, Manager of the Bentley brand, told Business Standard.

The company sold ten Bentley cars in Romania in the past two years, according to Pascu.

The price of a Bentley car varies, based on the model and extra options, between 150,000 and 300,000 euros, taxes not included. Car repairs in Romania cost three times less than the European average, according to officials of Porsche Romania.

Pascu said he cannot make an estimate regarding the number of cars to be sold in the coming year, considering that prior to the outbreak of the economic crisis, the 2009 sales plan included 40 units worth some 8 mln. euros.

On the other hand, the importer of the Corvette brand estimates to sell eight units in 2008, while Ferrari announced it had allocated 15 units for the Romanian market.

Company officials said that most of the approximately 150 Bentley cars registered in Romania were bought from foreign dealers.

Some 270 new luxury cars were sold in 2007, and about 300 units are expected to be sold by this year's end. The average value of such an automobile is 160,000-170,000 euros. Thus, the value of the luxury automobile market in Romania will amount to some 50 mln euros in 2008.