Romania May 2024: Dacia Duster tightens its grip

Dacia Duster sales double year-on-year in May. Next generation pictured

New car sales in Romania gain a solid 14.7% year-on-year in May to 15,643 units, meaning the year-to-date volume tilts into positive at +2.8% to 62,148. Local behemoth Dacia (+30.5%) vastly outpaces its home market to lodge an outstanding 35.3% share its highest since February 2023 and to be compared with 30.8% year-to-date. Renault (+58%) also surges at #2, up three spots on last month. Toyota (+8.3%) can’t catch up with the market growth at #3 unlike Skoda (+17.3%) at #4. Suzuki (+24.2%) and Ford (+15%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10.

Over in the models charts, the Dacia Duster (+93.6%) reclaims the top spot for the third time in the past four month with a commanding 12.6% share vs. 10.8% so far this year. Discounts on the outgoing generation surely explain this strength. The traditional leader, the Dacia Logan (+25.4%) is relegated to 2nd place. The Duster comforts its year-to-date leadership with over 1,000 units more than the Logan. Could 2024 be the year the 19 consecutive annual wins streak of the Logan ends? With the new gen Duster (pictured) now hitting dealerships it will probably be so. The Dacia Sandero (+38.2%) remains at its usual third rank. Produced locally, the Ford Puma (+325.8%) is the best-selling foreigner at #4 with a surreal year-on-year gain followed by the Renault Clio (+215.5%).

Previous month: Romania April 2024: Dacia Logan claws back on top in surging market

One year ago: Romania May 2023: Sales up 33.8%, Dacia places four models in Top 5

Full May 2024 Top 46 All brands and Top 294 All models below.