ACEA

- GREECE

The full extent of vehicle assembly in Greece is limited to the Hellenic Vehicle Industry’s (ELVO) production of military vehicles. The last passenger car to be built rolled off the assembly lines in 1995 when the Theoharakis Group ceased production.

Consequently automotive related activities are limited to sales, servicing and importing. These activities employ around 118.000 people (2.6% of the working population).

Demand boosted by the Olympic Games

The Greek car market was dramatically boosted by the Olympic Games in 2004, whose impact went well beyond new cars sales (very heavily to car rental companies) to include demand for auto-parts, accessories and service to dealers. Inevitably, demand softened in subsequent years although car sales are expected to grow by 10.4% between 2005 and 2010 on the back of steady GDP growth. This should push car-ownership rates up to 518 per 1,000 in 2010. Currently, the market is led by Toyota and Hyundai, which dominate the small and medium segment. ELTREKKA is instead Greece’s largest supplier of automobile parts for the aftermarket. The company represents over 40 of the world’s top manufacturers including NGK, KYB, Valeo, Federal Mogul (Champion, Ferodo), Sachs, Brembo, Gates, TRW-Lucas, Delphi as well as a full range of exhaust products (Imasaf, Bosal) and diesel parts.

The transport sector as a whole is also still benefiting from the long-term effects of the Olympic Games. Gains from the transportation infrastructure and service developments have spurred the government to further upgrade transportation services. For the 2007-2011 period, it plans to spend more than EUR 11 billion on new transportation infrastructure and services. By the end of 2008, the Greek Government will have spent EUR 2.8 billion on new road development and expansion and EUR 1.2 billion on railroad, subway and urban bus projects.