Romania new car registrations fall 37% in August

New car registrations in Romania fell by 37% in August 2026 compared to the same month the previous year, according to data from the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers (APIA). This decline reflects market fragility amid uncertainty and the delayed launch of the Rabla Auto subsidy program.

While total registrations for the first eight months of the year decreased by 10.4%, electrified vehicles now command a 65% market share. Within this segment, plug-in hybrids saw significant growth, while pure electric vehicles (BEV) saw a volume decrease of nearly 30% but an increase in market share from 6.3% to 7%.

Specific model performance includes the Tesla Model Y leading pure electric sales, followed by the BYD Dolphin Surf. In the plug-in hybrid category, the BYD Seal U DM-i was the top seller. Dacia, Toyota, and Skoda remain the leading brands by volume. Conversely, the light commercial vehicle segment saw a 5% increase in August.