Registrations of new passenger cars fell by 11.5% in September 2026 compared with the same period last year, totaling 10,952 units, according to APIA data

New passenger car registrations in Romania fell by 11.5% in September 2026 compared with the same month last year, to 10,952 units, according to data from the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers in Romania (APIA). In the first nine months, the market recorded a 10.5% decline.

The month’s standout development was the strong growth of plug-in hybrid cars, whose registrations increased by 131%. They reached a 17% market share and, together with fully electric cars, accounted for a quarter of the passenger car market. Overall, electrified models reached a 64% share, overtaking petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles.

Petrol fell by 36.8%, while diesel declined by 43.6%. Meanwhile, SUVs remained the dominant segment, accounting for 61.3% of the market. Chinese manufacturers became more visible: BYD ranked fourth among brands in September. In the first nine months, the most registered electric models were the Tesla Model Y and BYD Dolphin Surf, while the BYD Seal U DM-i stood out among plug-in hybrids.