Appearing on the morning program of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), Aleksandra Đurđević, President of the Serbian Association of Vehicle Importers and Parts, spoke about changes in the automotive market and explained why sales volumes from 2008 are unlikely to be repeated.
Although the Serbian automotive market has reached and even surpassed pre-pandemic sales levels, comparisons with 2008 are not realistic, she emphasized. The reason is not a lack of demand, but the fact that today’s car is a completely different product, while consumer behavior has also changed significantly.
In 2008, a car was primarily a mechanical product, with limited technological and safety systems and significantly lower regulatory requirements. Today, however, a car represents a complex technological platform. Strict safety and environmental standards, advanced driver-assistance systems, electronics, and connectivity have substantially increased development and production costs, while technologically richer models now account for the majority of sales.
Consumer behavior has also evolved. Unlike the past, when car purchases were more frequent and driven by ownership and status, today’s buyers make more rational decisions—based on total cost of ownership, monthly payments, and long-term vehicle value—while keeping their vehicles for longer periods.
As the President of the Association concluded, 2008 belongs to a different market and a different era. Today’s automotive market operates under new rules, and the industry’s future development will depend on its ability to adapt to these structural changes.
The full recording of the appearance is available on the Radio Television of Serbia YouTube channel.
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