Cars: APIA: New car registrations down 28% in July; electric and plug-in hybrid registrations rise sharply

  New car registrations fell by 28.2% in July 2026 compared with the same period last year, to 11,633 units, however the electrified vehicle market continued to grow, according to an Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers (APIA) analysis, based on data published by the General Directorate for Driving Licenses and Registrations (DGPCI).According to the APIA, new car registrations reached 75,836 units in the first seven months of the year, 5.5% below the level recorded in the same period in 2025."The development of the car market in July confirms that the exceptional result recorded in June was driven by temporary factors and was not the start of a structural recovery. The 28% drop in new car registrations compared with July 2025 brings the market's vulnerability back into focus, and after the first seven months of the year, we remain 5.5% below the level recorded in the same period last year. At the same time, we are seeing an important change in the market structure. Even against a backdrop of an overall decline, registrations of fully electric cars rose by 57% in July, while plug-in hybrids increased by 71%, showing that the consumers' interest in electrified technologies exists and continues to grow. Electrified cars already account for 60% of the market in July," APIA President Dan Vardie said.According to the analysis, electrified cars recorded an overall 20% decline in July, but reached a market share of 60%.In this category, mild-hybrid (MHEV) cars fell by 35%, accounting for a 20.7% market share, while full-hybrid (FHEV) cars declined by 41%, representing 17.6% of the market. By contrast, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars rose by 71%, reaching a market share of 14.6%, while fully electric (BEV) cars increased by 57%, to a 7% market share.The APIA underscored that in July, electrified cars became the largest segment of the market, exceeding the combined share of petrol and diesel-powered cars.By fuel type, petrol-powered cars, including petrol and LPG, recorded a 34% decline, accounting for 35% of the market, while diesel-powered cars fell by 50%, to a 4.4% market share.By car brand, Dacia registered 3,286 cars in July, down 35.6% compared with the same month in 2025. Toyota recorded 1,238 units (-29.5%), Skoda 802 units (-36.3%) and Volkswagen 792 units (-17.6%).BYD brand recorded 672 car registrations in July, up from the level recorded in the same month last year.In the first seven months of the year, Dacia recorded 14,972 car registrations, 34.1% fewer than in the same period in 2025, Toyota - 7,259 units (-4%), Skoda - 6,276 (-4.7%) and Volkswagen - 5,731 (+1.5%).In the model rankings, Dacia Logan was the leader in July, with 1,260 units, followed by Dacia Sandero, with 896 units, and Dacia Duster, with 725 units. Toyota Corolla recorded 544 units, while Skoda Octavia recorded 322.As for fully electric cars, 6,332 units were registered in the first seven months of the year, 75% more than in the same period in 2025. Tesla leads the brand rankings, with 1,559 units (+268%), followed by BYD, with 1,312 units, and Ford, with 680 units (+200%).The best-selling electric models in 2026 are the Tesla Model Y, with 870 units, the Tesla Model 3, with 668 units, and the BYD Dolphin Surf, with 553 units.In the plug-in hybrid segment, 7,953 cars were registered in the first seven months, 72.3% more than in the same period in 2025. BYD leads the brand rankings, with 1,500 units, followed by Chery, with 1,097, and Volkswagen, with 794.The best-selling plug-in hybrid models are the BYD Seal U DM-i, with 719 units, the Toyota RAV4, with 579, and the Chery TIGGO9, with 485.For full-hybrid cars, without external charging, registrations in the first seven months increased by 15.3%, to 17,202 units. Toyota leads this segment, with 6,468 units, followed by Dacia, with 2,829, and MG, with 1,623.By contrast, mild-hybrid car registrations fell by 10% in the first seven months, to 18,559 units.Commercial vehicles and minibuses recorded a 33% decline in July compared with the same month in 2025, while heavy commercial vehicles and buses increased by 6%.The APIA mentioned that the development of the car market highlights the need for a predictable framework for consumers and the industry.The Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers is a non-profit organisation, a representative entity in Romania's automotive industry, founded in 1994 and a member of the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) since 1996.