[REVISION HISTORY]

Romanian auto sector faces production and energy instability

Updated 27 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-17 05:28 UTC → 2026-09-18 06:14 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Romanian automotive sector faces a deepening crisis characterized by production declines and energy instability. Following Renault’s May 2026 decision to cancel Dacia plant expansions, production fell from a 2024 record of 309,000 units to approximately 297,000 in 2025. In August 2026, a severe drought lowered Danube levels, forcing the Cernavodă nuclear plant to reduce output. By September 2026, Dacia reported a market share drop from approximately 29% to 19.8% during the first eight months of the year. Mihai Bordeanu, Head of Country for Renault Group and head of Dacia South East Europe, warned that production could decrease by “two digits” due to declining demand for internal combustion engines and the rapid rise of the electric vehicle segment. Bordeanu stated the Mioveni plant is facing its “most difficult period since Renault took over in 1999,” citing high energy costs and high taxes. This instability has already resulted in approximately 1,700 employees leaving the company since 2025. Investment in the Mioveni facility has also seen a sharp decline, with 2025 investments reportedly down by more than 64% compared to the previous year. By mid-September 2026, Bordeanu cautioned that Romania risks losing “20% to 25%” of its automotive industry's turnover, employees, and production by next year. He noted that production opportunities are shifting abroad, with new electric models slated for Slovenia and Turkey. Dacia CEO Katrin Adt identified strict EU emissions and safety regulations as primary drivers of rising vehicle prices, noting that roughly 25% of Dacia's R&D budget is dedicated to regulatory compliance. Consequently, Dacia is calling on the European Commission to freeze new regulations for small cars to ensure continued affordability. Amidst these challenges, reports have emerged suggesting Chinese companies, such as Geely, may be interested in acquiring or collaborating with the Mioveni plant.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.