Auto sales slump continues dramatic drop in January, down 27% from 2000

New car sales in Poland last month dropped by 27% compared to January 2000, according to preliminary figures released by automotive market monitoring company Samar. Similar data were announced during a press conference of representatives of car makers and importers. According to them, sales last month were down by 30%, or a third less than in January 2000. If these data are confirmed, it means that last year’s declining sales trend has not yet braked. Overall sales of new cars decreased in 2000 by 25% when compared to the best selling year, 1999. Plunging sales are attributed to high interest rates and costlier auto insurance. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.21) M.T.