Romania last year was the 12th largest automobile manufacturer in Europe, from a total of 21 countries on the continent that make cars, according to statistics of the International Automobile Manufacturers (OICA). In 2011 over 310,000 vehicles were produced in Romania.

While Germany remains the biggest producer of cars in Europe and the third biggest in the world with 5.9 million cars assembled, Romania maintains its number one spot in Eastern Europe, without including Russia and Turkey. Last year, the Mioveni Dacia plant made over 100,000 cars.

In this year, local production could reach over 400,000 vehicles, with Ford Craiova plant now producing the B-Max model. This should bump Romania up to eleventh place in Europe, ahead of Belgium, where production has been reduced this year.

The local automotive industry recorded a turnover last year of EUR 11.14 billion, up by 7.8 percent over the previous year, according to Automotive Manufacturers Association in Romania (ACAROM), while in 2012 turnover is expected to reach EUR 12.5 billion.

Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com