BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec.1
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
In a situation where the number of countries to which cars are re-exported from Georgia is growing, domestic sales decreased by 30-40 percent, Trend reports via Georgian media.
According to the director of Iberia Business Group, David Gogorashvili, due to COVID-19 and various kinds of economic restrictions, the procedures for registering cars may become more complicated, which will even reduce the scale that is currently available.
"Iberia Business Group" represents in Georgia the interests of brands such as "Audi", "Volkswagen", "Skoda", "Kia", "Mitsubishi".
"This year, the new car market in Georgia has decreased by 30 percent. This affected us as well - sales decreased by 25 percent, which is mainly due to the decline in the retail market. The pandemic and the closure of salons and showrooms, the transition to online sales hurt us a lot. Now we were waiting for revitalization in December, which is traditionally active in terms of sales, but if we cannot work, then this time will be lost," he said.
According to him, now the priority is to retain employees, but if everything continues as it is now, the company will have to make reductions.
"We work in online sales, but if due to restrictions there are problems with registering a purchased car, then we will not be able to sell anything at all," Gogorishvili said.
Hyundai Auto Georgia company stated that their sales have decreased by 90 percent, therefore the company refrains from bringing new models to Georgia.
"Our sales have dropped dramatically. The car is still considered a luxury item, and if the general situation does not change, then we do not expect to improve the situation in our country specifically," said the director of the company Georgi Giorgobiani.
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