Sudden Brake in the Auto Industry: National Production Falls by Almost 30% in April
The Romanian automotive industry, the "engine" that significantly contributes to the country's GDP, seems to have pulled the handbrake in April 2026. According to the latest data published by the Romanian Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACAROM), the plants in Mioveni and Craiova recorded a sharp decline, assembling almost a third fewer vehicles compared to the same period last year.
April's Cool Numbers
If in 2025 the production lines were humming, April 2026 brought a much quieter landscape to the assembly halls. The two major industrial centers together delivered only 31,450 units, marking a 28.9% drop.
Here's how this "minus" is divided between the two giants:
- Dacia (Mioveni): It produced 18,366 units, which represents a drastic decrease of 30.88%.
- Ford Otosan (Craiova): It assembled 13,084 units, recording a decline of 26.5%.
Although the decline is widespread, the Mioveni plant seems to feel the pressure the most, losing almost a third of its monthly production volume in a single year.
A Review of the First Four Months: A Worrying Trend?
The problem does not appear to be an isolated incident in April. Looking at the period from January to April 2026, the downward trend is confirmed, albeit on a smaller scale. Total production fell by 11% compared to the first four months of 2025, reaching a total of 159,869 units.
| Plant / Factory | Units (Jan-Apr 2026) | Evolution vs 2025 |
| Dacia | 84,045 | -18.89% |
| Ford Otosan | 76,824 | -1.0% |
| Total Production | 159,869 | -11.0% |
We observe much greater resilience in Craiova in the long term. While Dacia lost almost a fifth of its cumulative production, Ford Otosan remained almost "at zero", a sign that their business model or the demand for the range produced in Oltenia (such as the Ford Puma) is more stable in the face of market fluctuations.
Why is the Engine of the Industry Stalling?
Although ACAROM presents raw statistical data, the economic and industrial context offers some clues about this slowdown:
- Transition to Electrification: Ford Craiova is in the midst of integrating new electric variants (such as the E-Puma), a process that often requires line recalibration and scheduled technological breaks.
- Supply Chain: Although the semiconductor crisis has passed, new European regulations on emissions and safety standards are forcing manufacturers to adjust their component flows.
- Decline in Foreign Demand: The European market, the main destination for "Made in Romania" cars, is going through a period of economic caution, with consumers postponing major purchases.
"The drop of almost 29% in April is an alarm signal that cannot be ignored. Even if Ford manages to keep its figures afloat on an annual basis, Dacia's plunge indicates a need to quickly adapt to the new realities of the European market."
What's Next?
It remains to be seen whether May will bring a recovery or whether the Romanian auto industry will have to get used to a “new normal” of lower volumes. With the new Dacia Bigster model ready to enter the production lines and with full electrification in Craiova, the second half of 2026 could rewrite these statistics in slightly more optimistic colors.