Car production in Romania continues to decline, and if the pace from the first half of the year is maintained, the auto industry could drop below the threshold of 500,000 vehicles produced in 2026.
It would be the first time since 2022 that this level is not reached, following the record of over 565,000 cars recorded in 2024.
An analysis conducted by Profit.ro, based on ACAROM data and the evolution of production at the Dacia Mioveni and Ford Otosan Craiova plants, shows that the total production for this year could stop at around 480,000 vehicles if the current trend persists.
Declines at both plants, more pronounced at Dacia
The first six months of the year brought a significant decline for both manufacturers.
At Dacia, production reached 129,514 vehicles, down by 17.6% compared to the same period last year. Ford Otosan Craiova produced 118,568 vehicles, 6.6% less.
In total, the two plants assembled approximately 248,000 vehicles in the first half, representing an average decline of 12.7%.
Only in June, total production decreased by 16%, to 44,536 vehicles. Dacia recorded a decrease of 16.9%, while Ford Otosan decreased by 14.9%.
After the 2024 record, production enters a downward trend
Romania reached a historic peak in 2024 with 565,550 cars produced in Mioveni and Craiova. Instead of a new record, last year brought the first decline, to 545,510 vehicles, amid the slowdown of the European auto market and the changes in the range of models produced in Mioveni.
In 2026, the downward trend has intensified, and estimates indicate the possibility of annual production dropping below 500,000 units.
According to the analysis by Profit.ro, if the current pace is maintained, the Dacia plant could end the year with a production ranging between 250,000 and 270,000 vehicles, while Ford Otosan Craiova would approach 230,000 units.
Dacia: The market is challenging, and the threshold of 300,000 cars no longer seems achievable
Mihai Bordeanu, the Director of Dacia Romania, says he hopes for a better second half, but admits that, in the current market conditions, the Mioveni plant will not reach 300,000 cars produced this year.
“We produce Bigster, Duster, two Dacia models with high added value, with great potential ahead. Yes, okay, we are going through some market conditions of... bad weather, but it won't be bad weather all the time,” Bordeanu stated, as quoted by Profit.ro.
He estimates that the year-end results will be at most close to those of 2025 and says that the Romanian market does not currently offer sufficient signs of recovery to support an increase in production.