Romania’s auto industry manufactured 231,056 passenger cars in 2008, down by 1.3% on the previous year, according to the the Romanian Car Producers and Importers Association, APIA.


The production of all vehicles, including commercial vehicles, reached 245,308 units in 2008 – up 1.5% year-on-year.


Exports were up strongly. Vehicle exports by Dacia and Ford-owned Daewoo Automobile Romania were up 26% on the year to a total of 153,595 vehicles.


Exports were boosted by Dacia’s Logan model which is sold in 55 counties.


However, APIA also pointed out that output fell in the final months of the year and total vehicle output in December was off 73% on year-ago levels at just 3,780 units.


Romania’s car output rose by 16% to 234,103 vehicles in 2007.