New car sales in Romania down 19% after the first three months but up in March
The Paradox of the Auto Market in Romania: March brings a fragile "plus" in a first quarter marked by a severe decline
The Romanian automotive market is going through a period of profound reconfiguration, offering contradictory signals at the beginning of this year. According to the latest data published by the Romanian Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACAROM), March 2026 managed to break the series of declines, but the balance after the first three months remains worrying for dealers and manufacturers.
March, a "breath of fresh air" for showrooms
After a hesitant start to the year, March brought an unexpected increase. Romanians registered 10,383 new cars, which represents a 4.65% increase compared to the same month last year.
This one-off increase suggests a slight release of deliveries and possibly increased interest generated by dealers' new spring campaigns. However, the enthusiasm is tempered by the consolidated figures for the full quarter.
First quarter in question: 19% drop
Looking at the overall picture for the period January-March 2026, optimism quickly fades. Total new car registrations reached 27,275 units, a 19% drop compared to the same period in 2025.
Market experts attribute this decline to several factors:
- Modification of the "Rabla" program: Uncertainties regarding the value of the vouchers and the new eligibility criteria postponed many purchasing decisions in the first two months.
- Financing costs: Interest rates, although slightly stabilizing, continue to put pressure on family budgets.
- Waiting for new models: Many customers preferred to wait for the launches announced for the second half of the year.
The Hybrid Revolution: Historic Change Under the Hood
The most spectacular evolution is observed in Romanians' preferences for engines. For the first time, hybrid cars dominate the market, clearly surpassing the rest of the options.
| Engine Type | Units Sold (Q1 2026) |
| Hybrids (HEV/PHEV/MHEV) | 15,740 |
| Petrol / Gasoline | 4,983 |
| Electric (100% BEV) | 2,587 |
| LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) | 2,030 |
| Diesel | 2,025 |
It is obvious that Romanians are quickly moving away from diesel engines (which came in last place), preferring the efficiency of hybrid systems, which offer a compromise between purchase cost and reduced urban consumption.
Brand ranking: Dacia remains "king", BYD enters the Top 10
Dacia maintains its crown as the undisputed leader, with almost 5,000 units sold, benefiting from the success of the new Duster and Jogger generations. However, the fight for the podium is tight between Toyota (2,597 units) and Skoda (2,545 units), brands that have heavily relied on hybrid technology.
A notable surprise is the presence of the Chinese manufacturer BYD in 10th place, with 843 units, surpassing traditional brands and confirming the aggressive expansion of Asian cars on the European market.
Second Hand Market: Decreases on the line
The used car market is not doing any better either. In March, used vehicle registrations fell by 8.23%, reaching 32,356 units. In the first quarter, the decrease is 6.8% (89,584 units).
This trend indicates that Romanians have become more cautious in general, whether it is a new or used car. At the same time, the high prices of quality second-hand cars from the rest of Europe make imports less attractive than in previous years.
Conclusion: Although March brought a small victory for dealers, the Romanian auto market remains fragile. The success of the rest of the year will depend enormously on the stability of government programs and the ability of brands to offer affordable hybrid solutions, the segment that now seems to be the "engine" of the entire local industry.
Do you consider government subsidies to still be the main factor influencing your decision to buy a new car, or do you now prioritize fuel efficiency and hybrid technology?