Hit the road

ENAR

Every month the Automobile Importers Association of Lebanon (AIA) sends out its Registration Report, showing the year-to-date breakdown of new car sales per brand. Over the course of 2014, the attached president’s letter has ended with: “We hope that Lebanon soon finds peace, stability and prosperity.” Such a repeated aspiration is indicative of what is missing in the country for the automotive sector to thrive. Not that car sales are in the gutter though, despite the lack of peace, stability and prosperity.  As of the end of October 2014, 34,002 new cars had been sold compared to 31,092 units in the same period in 2013, although the month’s sales were down 5.2 percent compared to September, and year-on-year sales of new and used models had dropped by 7 percent and 12 percent respectively, compared to 2012 and 2011.  Overall sales are projected to surpass 35,000 units, similar to previous years