Romania’s car market collapsed in July. New car registrations fell by 28%

New car registrations fell by 28% in July compared to the same month in 2025, according to data from the General Directorate of Driving Licenses and Registrations (DGPCI), analyzed by the Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA).

„The 28% decrease in new car registrations compared to July 2025 brings the market’s vulnerability back to the forefront, and after the first seven months of the year we are still at a level 5.5% below that of the same period last year,” said Dan Vardie, president of APIA.

He notes a change in the market structure.

Even in a general context of decline, pure electric cars increased by 57% in July, and plug-in hybrids by 71%, which shows that consumer interest in electrified technologies continues to grow.

Dan Vardie adds that Romania needs public policies that stimulate the renewal of the car fleet and the transition to low-emission technologies in a predictable way, „not interventions that generate waiting periods and distortions in the market”.

APIA data shows that in July 2026, 11,633 cars were registered, 28% fewer than in the same month in 2025.

In terms of the segments in which cars are classified, SUVs are in first place, with a market share of 54.6%, followed by Class C, with 25.5%, and Class B, with 13.7%.

Depending on the type of fuel, gasoline engines registered a 34% decrease in July compared to the same month in 2025, reaching a 35% share of the market. Diesel engines decreased by 50%, to a 4.4% share.

Cars equipped with mild-hybrid engines also registered a 35% decrease, reaching a 20.7% share of the total market.

Of the total mild-hybrid engines, 74% are gasoline, 14% LPG and 12% diesel.

„Electrified” cars, a category that includes electric, plug-in hybrid, full hybrid and mild-hybrid models, reached a 60% market share in July.

Thus, they represent the most important segment of the Romanian market, exceeding the combined share of gasoline and diesel cars.

Pure electric cars had a market share of 7% in July, up from 3.2% in the same month in 2025.

Plug-in hybrid cars reached a market share of 14.6%, up from 6.1% in July 2025.

In the first seven months of 2026, the three best-selling 100% electric cars were the Tesla Model Y, with 870 units and a 341% increase over the previous year, the Tesla Model 3, with 668 units, and the BYD Dolphin Surf, with 553 units.

In the plug-in hybrid category, the top is led by the BYD Seal U DM-i, with 719 units, followed by the Toyota RAV4, with 579 units, and the Chery TIGGO9, with 485 units.

In the case of full-hybrid cars, without recharging from external sources, the best-selling models are the Toyota Corolla, with 2,934 units and an increase of 28% compared to the previous year, the Toyota Yaris Cross, with 1,613 units, and the Dacia Duster, with 1,415 units.

In the mild-hybrid category, the first place is occupied by the Dacia Duster, with 1,825 units, down 55% compared to the previous year. It is followed by the Skoda Octavia, with 1,110 units, and the Dacia Bigster, with 919 units.

Light commercial vehicles and minibuses recorded a 33% decrease in July compared to the same month in 2025.

In the first seven months of the year, electric light commercial vehicles reached a volume of 325 units, compared to 393 units in the same period last year.

In contrast, heavy commercial vehicles and buses recorded an increase of 6% in July compared to July 2025. Within this category, heavy commercial vehicles over 16 tons and tractors had a decrease of 0.4%.