The market for commercial vehicles in Romania records mixed developments in 2025, the APIA data for July indicating 12.7% decreases in light and minibus commercial vehicles, respectively 5.9% in the segment of heavy vehicles and buses, compared to the similar period of 2024. In the segment of light commercial vehicles, Ford registered 380 in 2025 30.1%), followed by Volkswagen with 280 units (100%plus) and Renault with 194 units (minus 51.1%). On heavy vehicles, Mercedes-Benz registered 184 units (plus 43%), Volvo 175 units (plus 34%) and Scania 88 units (plus 96%). The analysis of the market quotas reveals a relatively balanced distribution between the main players, with Ford holding 24%of the light commercial segment – below 3.5 tonnes – in July 2025, followed by Volkswagen (18%), Renault and Iveco (12%) and Fiat (10%). The transition to electrification remains slow in the commercial segment, with only 393 electric commercial vehicles registered in the first seven months of 2025, a level comparable to the 400 units of the same period of the previous year. This stagnation contrasts with the decarbonization objectives assumed at European level and with the evolution of the car segment, where electrified vehicles reached a 54% share in July. The delay of the Rabla 2025 program affects the operational flow of dealers, generating unsold stocks and pressure on the working capital. «At the moment there are many customer orders waiting to activate the Rabla budget, who are in the stocks of dealers with financial effects on interest, on lending,» mentioned in MAI Roxana, Managing Director, Ford Romania Services, in the ZF show as we build Romania. The total car market registered an increase of 26.2% in July, but remains in the negative territory as a whole (-15.3%). This volatility is also reflected in the commercial segment, where the economic operators postpone the investment decisions in the context of the uncertainties related to the financing schemes and the evolution of the exchange rate. Models like Iveco Daily, Ford Transit and Volkswagen Caddy continue to dominate preferences in the utility segment. Transit Custom and the Ranger truck have segmental levels of over 50%. In order to stimulate the adoption of green commercial vehicles, the industry signals the need for dedicated financing tools, adapted to the specific of the B2B segment. «For the purchase of green commercial vehicles, the Rabla program is very limited and there we have to find completely different ideas, other measures to push the purchase,» explains Roxana previously. In the context of entering new competitors, including brands from Asia, the competitive landscape becomes more complex. Traditional players rely on the accumulated expertise, consolidated distribution networks and local production for maintaining positions. Ford, the only manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Romania, strengthens its position by diversifying the portfolio and emphasizes on green mobility solutions.
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