Romania needs only four car manufacturers

U.S. car manufacturer General Motors could enter the Romanian market, while German group Daimler has already made a decision to start operations in Romania, according to sources on the auto market.

French group Renault, owner of the local Dacia factory, and U.S. car manufacturer Ford, which recently purchased local Automobile Craiova producer, are currently the main players on the local car market.

The President of the Association of Automotive Manufacturers (ACAROM), Constantin Stroe, said that the existing labor force is insufficient for the two projects announced, but that part of the necessary work force could be covered by Romanians now working abroad.

“It is obvious that these investments are not made for the Romanian market, as cars produced here will be sold on foreign markets. I think that a significant labor force is needed to support these projects, but we have 2.5 million Romanians working abroad who, under certain circumstances, could return home,” Stroe said.

According to ARIS representatives, car manufacturers and car parts producers choose Romania as a location for their production because they have no other viable alternatives close to Western Europe. Investments on this segment will slow in the next few years, sources added.