Volkswagen becomes the leader of the Plug-in Hybrid market in Romania, surpassing Mercedes-Benz and BMW in 2025

Volkswagen, the Surprise Leader of the Plug-in Hybrid Segment in Romania: A 414% Growth in 2025

The Romanian car market experienced a historic moment in 2025: for the first time, "electrified" cars became the majority, exceeding the threshold of 55% of total registrations. However, beyond the global figures, the real star of the year was the Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) segment, where Volkswagen achieved a "blitzkrieg" performance, catapulting itself directly to the top of the ranking.

According to the latest data provided by the Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA), the year 2025 marked a paradigm shift in the preferences of Romanians, who found in plug-in hybrids the perfect balance between the freedom of the thermal engine and the efficiency of the electric one.

PHEV podium: Germans dominate, but Ford holds the "king" of models

In 2025, a total of 10,079 PHEV cars were registered in Romania, a solid 59% increase compared to the previous year. This evolution is all the more remarkable as the pure electric vehicle (BEV) segment registered a slight decline, a sign that many customers preferred the safety offered by hybrid propulsion instead of the total transition to electric.

Here is what the brand rankings look like at the end of the year:

The Tiguan Effect: The Engine of Volkswagen's Success

Volkswagen's spectacular 414% jump was no fluke. It was mainly fueled by the new generation of the Tiguan. With an upgraded PHEV system, which now offers a real electric range of around 100 km, the Tiguan quickly became a favorite with the public.

• 769 units of the brand's total were Tiguan PHEV.
• The model was the segment leader in September and November.
• Although Volkswagen won at the brand level, in the individual model ranking, the Ford Kuga remained the most popular PHEV in Romania (845 units), followed by the Tiguan and Hyundai Tucson (719 units).

Why did interest in PHEVs explode in 2025?

There are a few key reasons why Romanians flocked to Volkswagen and German competitors' showrooms:

1. Increased electric range: New models (such as the Tiguan or Passat) now allow daily commuting exclusively on electricity, eliminating "range anxiety" on long journeys.
2. Unpredictability of infrastructure and subsidies: In a context where the Rabla Plus program has undergone changes, many buyers saw PHEVs as a safer and more versatile investment than a 100% electric car.
3. New model launches: Volkswagen benefited from perfect timing, bringing highly competitive eHybrid versions to the market just when demand was at its peak.

Although premium brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW maintain constant volumes, Volkswagen has managed to democratize PHEV technology, attracting customers from the volume area who previously opted for classic diesel or gasoline engines.

Conclusion

The year 2025 confirmed that Romanians are ready for electrification, but at their own pace. Volkswagen has demonstrated that a strategy focused on versatile models and generous electric ranges can overturn traditional hierarchies. Although the Ford Kuga remains “the most beloved of earthlings” at the individual model level, the collective strength of Volkswagen’s eHybrid range has transformed the German brand into the undisputed leader of the Plug-in Hybrid segment in Romania.