Chinese automakers capture over 11% of Romania's car market

Chinese manufacturers BYD, SAIC and Chery have increased their presence in Romania, reaching a market share of 11.13% in the first half of 2026, well above the 9.5% average for the European Union. Their rapid growth has been driven by aggressive pricing, advanced equipment packages and penetration into rental‑car fleets, putting pressure on traditional European premium brands.

Across the wider auto industry, roughly 20 large groups control most vehicle brands. Stellantis, formed from the Fiat‑Chrysler and PSA merger, and Volkswagen together own dozens of marques, while Chinese group Geely controls brands such as Volvo, Polestar and Smart. In Romania, the domestic brand Dacia remains part of the Renault Group, benefiting from shared platforms and technology.

The shift reflects Chinese manufacturers' strategy to offset domestic overcapacity and a 20% contraction in China’s auto market by expanding exports to Europe, where tariff barriers for fully electric vehicles can reach 35 %. This trend reshapes competition for European manufacturers and highlights the growing influence of Chinese capital in the continent’s automotive sector.