“Our manufacturing coworkers estimate we will get to one million bicycles (made in Romania i.e.) in 2021, even though this is a rather complicated year. We are confident we can attain this figure,” says Ioana Anghel, wheel sports leader with Decathlon Romania.
Decathlon, a giant with a presence in 50 countries of the world, makes bicycles in two partner plants in Romania and plans to develop this operation.
Other than the French-held retailer through its partners Nextcity in Resita and Sport Mechanical Workshop in Timisoara, manufacturers in Romania include Eurosport DHS and Mechrom Industries.
Romania made more than 1.4 million (regular and electric) bicycles last year, compared with 1.2 million in 2019. More than 60% of those went to Decathlon.
Bicycle production, like automotive production, is affected by a shortage of parts, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Based on the information we have now, the international bicycle market is experiencing a shortage of certain parts. This shortage is due to the 2020 context.”
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)