Romanian car market in 2025: 4% growth in 2025 and a big advance for hybrid engines
Auto Market X-ray: New Car Sales Rise in 2025, While Electrics Lose Ground
The Romanian car market ended 2025 on an optimistic note, managing to exceed the threshold of 156,800 new registered cars. According to the latest data centralized by the Romanian Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACAROM), sales recorded an increase of almost 4% compared to the previous year, signaling a stabilization of consumption in a challenging economic context.
December: A month of records
The end of the year was marked by an unexpected effervescence. In December 2025, new car registrations exploded, reaching 21,312 units, which represents a fulminating increase of 54.36% compared to December 2024. This acceleration can be attributed to aggressive year-end campaigns, but also to backlogs of orders placed in previous quarters.
Hybrid engines are becoming the "new norm"
The most interesting dynamics are observed at the engine level. The year 2025 confirmed the Romanians' appetite for hybrid technology:
- Hybrids (Full & Mild): 77,140 units, a massive 31.9% increase. Practically, almost every second new car sold in Romania now has an electrification component.
- Electric (BEV): In contrast, the 100% electric segment suffered a 9.7% contraction, with only 8,849 units sold. The decrease can be attributed to changes to the Rabla Plus program and charging infrastructure that is still struggling to keep up with demand.
Top Brands: Dacia remains sovereign
The hierarchy of brands preferred by Romanians retains the traditional leader, but the podium shows a tight competition between global manufacturers:
| Rank | Brand | Units Sold in 2025 |
| 1 | Dacia | 45,738 |
| 2 | Toyota | 15,893 |
| 3 | Renault | 11,482 |
| 4 | Skoda | 11,299 |
| 5 | Volkswagen | 9,783 |
| 6 | Hyundai | 9,352 |
| 7 | Ford | 7,345 |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz | 5,488 |
| 9 | BMW | 5,430 |
| 10 | Suzuki | 4,735 |
The top 10 group is rounded out by Hyundai, Ford and the premium/mass-market trio of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Suzuki. The presence of two premium German brands in the Top 10 highlights a polarization of the market, where customers tend to choose either affordable options or luxury vehicles.
Second-Hand Market: Huge Volume, but a Slight Temper
Although new cars are gaining ground, the used vehicle market remains dominant in terms of volume. In 2025, Romanians registered over 360,000 used cars, up 9.51%. However, the end of the year brought a slight decline in this sector, a sign that more and more buyers are starting to prefer the warranty and efficiency of a new vehicle over a used one, as financing options become more accessible.
Conclusion
The year 2025 was a year of consolidation for the Romanian automotive market. Although the “full electric” revolution seems to have taken a break, the transition to hybrids is more solid than ever. With a Dacia dominating over 29% of the market and a constant increase in interest in new cars, Romania is gradually aligning with European trends in car fleet renewal.