RSS
Cars: Automobile industry in Romania în 2016 marked by Daimler , Porsche, Continental and Bosch investments, new Ford model, Constantin Stroe’s death
Romanian automobile industry had in 2016 growing sales, new important foreign investments made by Daimler, Porsche, Continental and Bosch, a new Ford model officially confirmed for manufacture at Craiova, higher salaries at Dacia. On the other hand, the national automobile manufacture dropped constantly, while the father of Dacia and automobile industry in Romania, Constantin Stroe died.
At the same time the environment tax was not amended until the end of the year and the Old Car Program began rather late, in June.
The national automobile manufacture started 2016 with a dropping tendency which maintained until the end of the year.
A major change happened at Ford Romania: John Oldham became the new manager of Craiova works, while Attila Szabo became the head of the National Ford Sales Company.
An important reorganization took place at Mercedes-Benz Romania by the separation of automobile and commercial vehicle divisions. Another reorganization was made later according to the international model.
The biggest BMW and Mini dealer in Romania, Automobile Bavaria also recorded changes: Michael Schmidt place his business under the MHS Holding umbrella.
At Dacia salaries went up, not as much as employees and trade unions would have liked, but employees had to accept less and promises for the better. Ford EcoSport model was confirmed for manufacture in Romania.
Good news continued with the manufacture by Daimler of 9 step automatic gears at Sebes, the expansion of Porsche operations in Romania with software for autonomous cars and Federal Mogul inaugurated a car wiper factory in Ploiesti.
New investments came from Bosch and Continental when Continental opened a new research and development centre in Brasov.
Elektrobit, another German company, expanded to Romania, while Faurecia opened a factory for car tapestries at Ramnicu Valcea. Pirelli will make serious investments in Romania until 2021.
The first serious investment was made in charger infrastructure for electric cars, Kaufland and Renovatio laying the bases for a national network of high power sockets.
An electric car caravan going around the world also reached Romania as well as the excentric rally Gumball 3000.
Dacia launched in Romania its first cars with automatic transmission and Ferrari activities in Romania ceased.
Events devoted to automobiles culminated with the 6th edition of the Auto Elegance Contest held in Sinaia and the BMW centennial celebrated by 100 coffee paintings made by Adrian Mitu.
Romania’s most important auto salon held in the fall launched Jeep Owners Group in Romania.
Constantin Stroe’s death at the end of the year was sad news for people in the national car industry.