* Pilakoutas Group enjoys lead position with Nissan and BMW brands
The recently reported 20% rise in new saloon car sales is evidence that the tide has turned for the economy, according to Charalambos Pilakoutas, Managing Director of the Pilakoutas Group, that includes BMW, Nissan and other marques, as well as industrial engines and a recent foray into the yachting and leisure boat sector.
“The figure is encouraging because the general climate is encouraging. The general situation of the economy is improving and therefore consumers feel more secure to indulge in buying cars,” Pilakoutas explained.
However, he added that there is a diversification in the market which results in more people looking to buy premium brands which offer the values of prestige and quality.
“The main driving factor for vehicle sales will always be the brand name and the customer support provided by the representative. This especially happens during difficult times as customers tend to avoid experimentation,” he said.
Pilakoutas Group topped the 2015 car sales, according to the official data, with a market share of 26.57% in the private saloon market for all its brands combined. At the same time, Nissan topped the private saloon market with an impressive 15.35% and BMW achieved the top position in the premium cars segment of the market with 6.93%.
As regards more of eco-friendly models from Nissan (such as the electric Leaf) and new hybrid cars, Charalambos Pilakoutas sai thdt “the future is electric, so since both BMW and Nissan are at the forefront of technology, they will expand their electric and hybrid vehicles portfolio.”
“BMW already has a hybrid version for almost all its models, like the 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X5 and of course the i3 and i8 will soon have more siblings. Nissan will not go into hybrids but the range of electric vehicles will be substantially increased by 2018. At the Pilakoutas Group we are excited to be at the forefront of technology and innovation,” he said.
As regards the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, Charalambos Pilakoutas said that the Group continues to support the Ayia Skepi Friends’ Association in their campaigns against drugs abuse and rehabilitation.
“For the tenth year in a row, we have provided a car for the purpose of the annual fund-raising lottery. This year’s draw (on February 24) was for a Nissan Micra, worth EUR 9,900, for which 54,150 tickets were sold. It is a worthy cause and we will continue to support them,” said Kodros Pilakoutas, Head of Business Operations at the Group.
