Individuals registered 18 thousand cars last year, and the first five of the most purchased vehicles in the auto segment are divided by Toyota and Skoda 4x4s. The second-hand car market is still dominated by BMW, Volkswagen and Audi.
Data from the Road Traffic Safety Directorate shows more than 3,900 new Toyota cars were registered in the past year, with Skoda in second place with 2,350, while the trio is sealed off by Volkswagen with more than 2,000 new cars.
A comparison with the previous year suggests that Toyota is experiencing a rapid expansion in the market with different models of car, with Skoda figures also climbing, while Volkswagen data is similar to sales figures a year ago.
The President of the Car Association, Saeima deputy Andris Kulbergs (United List) sees the explanation in decisive action during the pandemic and at the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine initiated by Russia – when the car market skewed significantly, due to the lack of raw materials, car prices changed several times a year, but there was a long wait for a new car.
“The Skoda was the one that took the risk, ordered cars forward into stock, not knowing exactly what a change in factory prices might mean, but Volkswagen didn't risk and slowed down ordering,” Kulbergs said.
Skoda has had new models released, and an attractive price and quality ratio. The willingness of Latvian residents to get terrain-class cars also shows in the success of Toyota as the top leader.
“One is that society is aging, wants easier entry into the car, and the state of the roads as well,“ Kulberg justified the 4x4 choice.
Many have rural properties to access, if not daily, then at least in summers, autumns and springs, when gravel roads turn into non-roads. Uģis Vītols, President of the Latvian Association of used car dealers, also confirms the popularity of sports SUVs or 4x4s.
But which brands of car were the most bought in the second-hand car market?
“The leader is a “BMW” - they are popular in all old age groups, of course, Volkswagen is popular too, but would like to note the Mercedes that has emerged at the importation and demand of second-hand cars,” Vītols told LR.
Various second-hand Audi models are increasingly popular, as are Toyotas, with competitive prices continuing to conquer the second-hand car market, followed by Land Rover and Volvo with upward figures.
