The car market in Romania recorded the strongest decline in the EU in January 2026

The car market in Romania experienced a drastic decline of 33.5% in January 2026, with only 7,927 registered cars, compared to 11,920 in the same month last year.

According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), new car registrations in Europe decreased by 3.5%, reaching 961,382 units. This is the first contraction since June 2025, influenced by declines in major markets such as Germany, France, and Poland. Regarding engine types, gasoline car registrations fell by 26% in Europe, with severe declines in France (49%) and Germany (30%). In contrast, sales of electric and hybrid cars increased significantly, accounting for 69% of total registrations. Among car manufacturers, Volkswagen, Renault, and Toyota recorded declines, while BYD had a remarkable growth of 165%. Additionally, Dacia reported a 35% decrease in sales.