Romania’s new car registrations down 36.8 percent in August

Romania registered 9,552 new cars in August 2026, down 36.8 percent compared with the same month last year, according to data released by the Romanian Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACAROM), based on figures from the Driving Licence and Vehicle Registration Directorate (DRPCIV).

The used car market also contracted in August. A total of 25,923 used vehicles were registered for the first time in Romania, marking a 14.5 percent year-on-year decline.

In the first eight months of 2026, registrations of new cars reached 86,142 units, down 10.1 percent compared with the January-August 2025 period.

The used-car market recorded 199,570 first-time registrations during the same period, representing a 13.4% decrease year-on-year.

Despite the overall decline in the new-car market, registrations of electrified vehicles continued to increase during the first eight months of the year.

According to ACAROM/DRPCIV data, registrations by fuel type were:

• Electric vehicles: 7,018 units, up 50%
• Hybrid vehicles: 49,282 units, up 2.1%
• LPG vehicles: 9,154 units, down 24.9%
• Petrol vehicles: 15,419 units, down 31.3%
• Diesel vehicles: 5,269 units, down 39.7%

Dacia maintained its leading position in Romania’s new-car market in the first eight months of 2026, with 17,114 registrations.

The top 10 brands by new-car registrations were:

1. Dacia – 17,114 units
2. Toyota – 9,251
3. Skoda – 7,121
4. Volkswagen – 6,579
5. Renault – 3,933
6. Mercedes – 3,472
7. BYD – 3,465
8. Ford – 3,457
9. Hyundai – 3,396
10. BMW – 3,106