The local company announced it would halt production for four days, because of lower demand on both local and foreign markets.
A Dacia press release indicates that production will be stopped on 30-31 October and 13-14 November, “to adjust the production process to commercial demand.” Company officials were unavailable for comment before the close of the print edition.
The move will lower planned production of some 300,000 units in 2008 by 5,200 cars. According to Automobile Dacia trade union leader, Nicolae Pavelescu, employees were expecting a temporary halt in production, due to the economic crisis.
In the first nine months of 2008, Dacia sales amounted to 194,165 units, 17 percent higher year-on-year.
The President of the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA), Ernest Popovici, said the auto industry, both in Romania and worldwide, is to adjust to new market conditions and closing factories is normal.
A drop in demand for cars in Europe has also led to the temporary halt of production in several factories on the continent. Peugeot-Citroen and Renault have decided to reduce production, according to an AFP newswire.
