Ford’s production expansion at the plant in Craiova by adding new models may help Romania leave Hungary behind after 2018.
“We cannot hope for more than tenth place in Europe this year, but it may happen next year. Central and Eastern Europe grew even during the recession and there is still room for growth,” said Constantin Stroe, chairman of the Romanian association of automotive manufacturers ACAROM.
“When comparing it to Poland, however, Romania will always be second place.”
Ford officially announced it would start assembly of the Ecosport SUV in Craiova in the fall of next year and sources with the US carmaker said annual production should reach 100,000 to 150,000 units.
Romania assembled about 387,200 cars last year, 4% fewer than the year before, while Hungary assembled almost 491,000 cars, 13% more. Over 180,000 of those were Mercedes-Benz vehicles assembled in Kecskemet, while the rest Audis and Suzukis. Poland kept its eighth position, with more than 534,000 cars in 2015, an increase of 13% on 2014.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)