Romania’s car registration activity swung sharply into negative territory at the start of 2026, with the indicator dropping to -62.80% in January on a month-over-month basis. The latest data, updated on 24 February 2026, mark a dramatic reversal from December 2025, when car registrations had surged by 53.50% compared with November.
The figures highlight a highly volatile turn in the Romanian auto market. December’s strong positive reading reflected a robust uptick relative to the previous month, while January’s steep decline signals a strong cooling in new registrations compared with December. Both readings are based on month-over-month comparisons, meaning each month’s indicator measures the change against the immediately preceding month.
This abrupt swing from a 53.50% increase to a 62.80% decrease suggests that some of the late-2025 momentum in car registrations has not carried into 2026. Market participants and analysts will be watching upcoming releases closely to determine whether January’s drop represents a temporary correction after a strong year-end, or the start of a more persistent slowdown in Romania’s car registration activity.
