The Lengthy Journey of Dacia Cars from Romania to Europe

Renault SA’s Dacia brand, known for offering affordable cars, has encountered a significant logistical challenge in getting its vehicles from the factory in Romania to other parts of Europe. Trucks delivering the hatchbacks often face substantial delays at the border with Hungary, sometimes waiting for hours or even days due to congestion. This is a result of the vehicles needing to enter the European Union’s Schengen Area, a customs-free zone that covers most of the bloc but excludes Romania and Bulgaria. The lengthy wait and associated costs shed light on the lesser-known obstacles faced by the automotive industry in navigating cross-border trade within the EU.