Standard and Poor's optimistic about future auto sales

A Standard & Poor's report just published concerning the auto market in Central Europe and Russia estimates that in the year 2010 Poles will purchase 1 million cars. While its analysis emphasizes the current unstable situation of the sector throughout the region (including Poland, where car sales dropped dramatically this year), it foresees a rebound and new growth. Last year Poles bought more than 625,000 autos, but the forecast for the year 2000 predicts total sales of only 533,000. According to the report, the decline in Poland is only temporary and sales could pick up as soon as next year. Poland will remain the largest automobile market in Central Europe, and the second after Russia in the combined Central and East European market. Fiat, Skoda, and Daewoo are, in that order, the three leaders in Central European sales; their combined sales this year will total 46% of cars purchased in the region. Skoda, however, is likely to take first place by the year 2005, thanks to the introduction of new models and the high demand for its Fabia. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 22)