Anticipation of the Budget, tourism and business fleets are shooting 33.4% auto sales – Express

Only in March 2016 were enrolled in the Portuguese market a total of 26,433 passenger cars – 31.6% more than in the same month last year – up 46.9% of light commercial vehicles, which amounts to a annual global variation in light segment of the order of 33.4%. In total the first quarter of 2016 were sold in Portugal 66,495 cars, or 25.7% more than in the same quarter last year, according to data from the Automobile Association of Portugal (ACAP). Its secretary general, Hélder Peter explains this increase “for purchases in advance to avoid the tax burden of the state budget 2016, the increase in purchases of rent-a-car and renewal of fleets of companies.”

in the total market, including the heavy goods vehicles and heavy passenger, they were sold in March 2016 over 30,600 vehicles light and heavy vehicles, which accounted for over 33.5% of than in the same month of the previous year and in the three first months of the year, total sales amount to more than 67,800 vehicles, corresponding to an annual growth of 25.9%, the data subject of ACAP.

in the first quarter of 2016, only passenger vehicles sales totaled 58,402 units, which represents an increase of 26.3% over the same period of 2015 reveals the ACAP. In the segment of light commercial vehicles were sold in Portugal 3,844 vehicles, up 46.9% over the same month in 2015, says the association.

According to Michael Thomas, responsible for institutional communication of Opel, “the increase 31.6% of sales of passenger cars in March reflects the growth of purchases of rent-a-car, which this year took into account the needs of Easter, which was earlier, in March, and increase prospects of tourism in the summer, in addition to the renewal of the fleet of the company. “

Opel is sixth in the national rankingo of the best selling brands and recorded sales of annual increases of 31.7% in March and 39 6% in the first quarter.

Renault ranks first in sales, with an increase of 45.2% in March and 31.6% in the first quarter compared with the same periods last year .

in March alone were sold four Ferrari, six Maserati and Aston Martin. Jaguar sold 71 units in March, which corresponds to an increase of 610% over the same month last year.