The automotive business in Macedonia is considered as one of the most lucrative, but few people know how difficult the achievements and the drastic falls here could be, says Porsche Macedonia's CEO, Zlatko Mucinski, in an interview for Telegraf.mk.
The statistic data show that unlike 8 years ago, or prior to the economic recession, the sale of cars in Macedonia has been significantly decreased, i.e. 3,000 new passenger vehicles are currently sold annually, whereas in 2008, the total of 17,500 cars were sold.
Until 2016, the total of 160,000 used passenger vehicles were bought in Macedonia, which according to Mucunski is an alarming figure in terms of the necessary security. He is the manager of one of the leading companies on the domestic market, and the several brands his company sells are often awarded.
"What makes me happy is that the market in Macedonia has great potential for development of this business. Despite the current situation, there is possibility for purchasing new vehicles and new clients, which gives us additional motif to work hard and to bring new vehicles in each family here. The days when we feel overwhelmed and when we say to each other 'why we needed to put our hands into this', are still less numerous than the days when we see content clients, and for us, that's an indicator that we're doing a good job and that we manage to swim in these waters excellently," the top manager at Porsche Macedonia says.
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T: The statistics marks a growth in the sales of new vehicles, but what are the trends exactly? What are the experiences and the trends by years, in terms of the sales of new vehicles?
"The not so distant 2008 was the year when the automobile industry was in its peak, a year when we could talk about replacing the obsolete car stock with new vehicles, a year, when 17,500 new cars were sold. But the following year, the world was already experiencing the economic recession, which of course, came here too, so the number of sold vehicles that year dropped at around 10,000.
Truly, the economic crisis has inflicted a serious blow to the automotive industry in Macedonia that was unfortunate enough to go through another blow, the import of used vehicles in 2011, with which the number of new vehicles sold in Macedonia decreased to 3,000 a year.
But, even though the sale of new vehicles is not as in the past 'golden ages', and this industry would need much time to heal, nevertheless, we're proud at our company with the fact that though people don't decide easily to invest in a new car, when they do, we're their first choice. Our market share which exceeds 30% speaks about that."
T: Where does the ratio between new and used cars stand?
"Less than 3,000 used vehicles were imported in Macedonia in 2009. When in 2011, the Law on Import of Used Vehicles came into force, that number reached 34,000 used vehicles, and in 2016, we can talk about more than 160,000 imported used vehicles that are being driven on our streets. The number is alarming if we take into consideration that these vehicles are old, not safe enough for traffic and are environmentally unfriendly.
Of course, there is also a decline of the euphoria about buying used vehicles because during this period, the people have come to realize that they spend more time fixing the cars than driving them. The benefits of the new vehicle is undoubted and undisputed. Our clients are aware of that. We offer a wide range of vehicles, appropriate prices and financial instruments. Furthermore, with the possibility of choosing the accessories, the clients forge the price of the vehicle that is appropriate for their budget and the purchase of a new car with us is really easily doable.
T: What is the car stock in Macedonia like, what kinds of habits do the citizens have?
"The car stocks is very diverse. It's currently burdened with imported used vehicles and as such it has a great potential of replacement of those obsolete vehicles. As I said, we offer a wide range of vehicles for appropriate prices, we have the 'old for new' option, etc..
New generations are coming and the habit to drive the same vehicle for years is being dying. The new vehicles are safer, more ecological and are always equipped with the latest technology and therefore, they're attractive for our clients, and with the proper financial instruments, they are easily available too.
T: Did the world Volkswagen affair have an impact in Macedonia?
"Although it strongly erupted in world frames, the Volkswagen problem was never a problem for us. Our vehicles are safe to drive and meet the legal norms of the Republic of Macedonia. We're always committed to our clients' satisfaction, and we're open for all questions that they might have in relation to this, but so far we have had excellent understanding and cooperation, and I can freely say that this problem hasn't affected us at all. In the meantime, the problem with the gas emission was solved by the EU countries and it is on a solid track to be solved in the US as well.
T: How much are Porsche models sold here?
"Given that we represent several brands and have a really wide choice of vehicles, we can testify that each one of them is in demand by our clients. We have cars for anyone's taste - little compact city vehicles, and more luxurious sports cars. The Porsche models, which are specific and special because of their dynamics, grandeur and value, have many lovers and clients here too.
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Last year we delivered around 20 Porsche vehicles, which is a figure that shows that there are premium clients in our country, with a premium taste in cars.
T: This year you were the winners of the prestigious international award - Car of the Year. How much this recognition is important for the automotive business here?
"Since the very founding of our company, we gave ourselves the task to bring the best to our clients. Our cars are munitiously manufactured, with high quality and exceptional design. As such, they are always evaluated by the highest awards and recognition.
The 'Car of the Year' Award which was presented this year to our new asset, Skoda Superb, is especially dear to us because it is a car which has set our and the world standards on quality, performances and design on an even higher level. Skoda Superb has the power to win you from the first ride. With its comfort, high technology and numerous options to assist the driver, it is the herlad of a new generation of cars and has rightfully won this prestigious award.