Dacia executives warn of competitiveness risks and rising costs in Europe

Dacia automotive industry EU regulations manufacturing competitiveness energy costs

Dacia executives are warning of significant challenges facing the European automotive industry, specifically regarding competitiveness and rising costs. Mihai Bordeanu, Managing Director for Dacia South Eastern Europe, cautioned that Romania risks losing 20% to 25% of its automotive industry's turnover, employees, and production by next year if competitiveness issues are not addressed. He noted that Romania has already lost production opportunities, with a new electric Dacia model being produced in Slovenia and the Dacia Striker model slated for manufacturing in Turkey.

Bordeanu highlighted that doubled energy prices in Romania are severely impacting both manufacturers and component suppliers. The automotive sector currently accounts for 14% of Romania's GDP and supports approximately 200,000 jobs.

Dacia CEO Katrin Adt emphasized that the European car market has failed to recover to pre-pandemic levels, noting a loss of approximately three million vehicle sales since 2019. Adt identified strict EU regulations regarding emissions and safety as a primary driver of rising vehicle prices. She revealed that roughly 25% of Dacia's R&D budget and engineering resources are dedicated to regulatory compliance, with the company having already implemented 100 regulations and facing 107 more by the end of the decade. Consequently, Dacia is calling on the European Commission to freeze new regulations for small cars to ensure continued affordability.

Entities

Dacia · European Commission · European Union · Katrin Adt · Mihai Bordeanu · Renault Group

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] About 25% of Dacia's research and development budget and engineering personnel are dedicated to meeting EU regulations. www.drive.gr · www.promotor.ro · www.dcnews.ro · www.extratipp.com · www.merkur.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Romania faces a potential loss of 20% to 25% of its automotive industry's turnover, employees, and production next year if competitiveness issues are not addressed. anchetaonline.ro · www.stiridecluj.ro · financiarul.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] Dacia is calling on the European Commission to freeze new regulations for small cars to maintain affordability. www.klix.ba
[● 8 SOURCES] The European car market has lost about three million sales since 2019 and has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. www.drive.gr · www.promotor.ro · www.dcnews.ro · www.extratipp.com · www.klix.ba · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Dacia has already implemented approximately 100 EU regulations and faces another 107 requirements by the end of the decade. www.promotor.ro · www.extratipp.com · www.merkur.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Energy prices in Romania have approximately doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels, impacting automotive manufacturing and suppliers. anchetaonline.ro · www.stiridecluj.ro · financiarul.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] Production of a Dacia electric model has been moved to Slovenia, and the Dacia Striker model will be manufactured in Turkey instead of Romania. anchetaonline.ro · www.stiridecluj.ro · financiarul.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] The price of the Dacia Sandero has risen from approximately 7,800 euros at its launch to nearly 14,000 euros for the current model. www.klix.ba