Sales of Romanian car brand Dacia decline in France but gain momentum in Germany

Dacia reported mixed sales performance in May 2026, with a 3% decline in France but a 13% increase in Germany. In France, the brand’s largest market, 11,562 passenger cars were sold, down from May 2025 but above the 25-month average of 11,390 units. The Sandero model led sales with 6,000 units, though it fell short of its March 2026 record of over 7,000 units, which had briefly placed it second in French sales behind the Renault Clio. Other models lagged, with the Duster ranking 11th (13,069 units year-to-date), while the Bigster, Jogger, and Spring ranked 24th, 37th, and 69th respectively. Total Dacia sales in France from January to May reached 52,705 units, a 12.4% drop from 2025, with market share slipping to 7.9%. Despite the decline, the Sandero remained Dacia’s top seller, accounting for 45–50% of total sales and ranking as France’s second-best-selling model after the Peugeot 208. The brand attributed the drop to broader market trends but noted recovery efforts in the second quarter. In contrast, Germany saw Dacia’s sales rise 13% year-over-year in May, with 5,800 vehicles sold—7% higher than April. The Duster, Bigster, and Sandero models drove the growth, reversing earlier declines in the first quarter. Dacia outperformed brands like Kia, Toyota, and Citroën, though Renault and Fiat still led in sales. The surge also reflected broader market shifts, including Tesla’s resurgence due to price cuts and BYD’s expansion into PHEV models to avoid EU tariffs. The data highlights Dacia’s shifting fortunes across Europe, with France’s mature market struggling while Germany’s demand strengthened. Analysts noted the brand’s reliance on the Sandero’s performance, as other models failed to regain top-tier rankings. Dacia’s strategy now focuses on sustaining momentum in Germany while stabilizing sales in France amid competitive pressures.