Automotive industry in Romania

Much of the Romanian manufacturing industry consists of branch plants of foreign firms, though there are some important domestic manufacturers, such as Automobile Dacia, Ford Romania, Roman Braşov and Igero.[1] In 2013, some 410,997 automobiles were produced in Romania, up from 78,165 in 2000.

Overview

During the Communist period, Romania was one of the largest automobile producers in Central and Eastern Europe, however the industry declined after the 1989 revolution. Previously, other domestic manufacturers such as Tractorul Braşov, ARO and Oltcit existed, however they eventually went bankrupt due to botched privatization in the 1990s. Since 1990, several foreign companies, including Mercedes, Audi, Hyundai, Volvo, Toyota, and Peugeot, expressed interest in opening branch plants in Romania.[2] In 2014, the Romanian automotive industry ranks fifth in Central and Eastern Europe, behind that of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.

Ford bought the Automobile Craiova plant for $57 million, planning to produce automobiles at a rate of over 300,000 units a year by 2010.[3][4][5] Ford said it would invest €675 million (US$923 million) in the former Daewoo car factory and that it would buy supplies from the Romanian market worth €1 billion (US$1.39 billion).[6] In September 2009, the company began to assemble the Ford Transit Connect in Craiova, and in 2012, production of the new Ford B-Max was started.[7]

Robert Bosch GmbH, the world’s largest supplier of automotive components will invest as much as 60 million euros ($79 million) in a new factory in Jucu - Romania. The new Bosch facility will produce electronic components for automobiles, and will create about 2,000 jobs.[8]

Dacia Logan was the top-selling new car in Central and Eastern Europe in the first half of 2007 with 52,750 units sold, ahead of Skoda Fabia (41,227 units), Skoda Octavia (33,483 units), Opel Astra (16,442 units) and Ford Focus (14,909 units).[9]

In 2012, Dacia launched four new models, the Lodgy and the Dokker,[10] and the second generations of the Logan and Sandero,[11] whereas Ford launched their new mini MPV, the B-Max. The both manufacturers also introduced two new and technologically advanced turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engines (the 1.0-litre EcoBoost and the 0.9-litre TCe engine),[12] which are locally produced and represented premieres in their segments.[13][14]

Active manufacturers

DAC shelter carrier

Defunct manufacturers

ARO 10 (4x4)

References

  1. "El Car". Igero.ro. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  2. "Izgonitorii marilor producatori auto". 9am.ro. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  3. Michelson, Marcel (12 September 2007). "AUTOSHOW-Ford to invest in Romania, no plans for low cost car". Reuters. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  4. "UPDATE 1-AUTOSHOW-Ford invests in Romania car plant". Reuters. 12 September 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  5. "US carmaker Ford buys car plant in southern Romania and pledges investments". International Herald Tribune. 29 March 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  6. "Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage". Motoring.reuters.co.uk. 10 September 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  7. "Ford vinde în România noul model B-Max" (in Romanian). Capital. 22 March 2012.
  8. "Bosch to invest 60mln euros in a new factory in Romania". Inautonews. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  9. "Romania, Poland lead regional auto market growth in first half of 2007". People. 11 October 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  10. "Dacia rolls out Dokker vanlet in Casablanca". Autoblog. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  11. "Noile Dacia Logan, Sandero şi Sandero Stepway". Dacia. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  12. "Tehnologie Eco". Ford Romania. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  13. "Cum a demarat productia Ford B-Max la Craiova. Punctul culminant al unui preludiu prelungit, noi angajamente". 0-100.ro. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  14. "Uzinele Dacia realizează 7,7% din exportul României". Dacia. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
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