Brakes and servo-brakes market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Romanian brakes and servo-brakes market contracted, with its total size declining from $188.7 million to $158.1 million. Production hovered around $117–118 million in the first two years before falling to $102.4 million in 2020, while imports and exports both decreased, reflecting a broader slowdown in market activity.

Imports rebounded strongly from 2021 onward, climbing from $350.9 million to $421.8 million by 2024. This sustained growth was fueled by high demand for replacement parts, driven by Romania having one of Europe's oldest vehicle fleets, which ensures consistent need for brake components. The shift to online sales channels further amplified this demand, with the value of auto parts sold online, including brakes, rising by 13% in 2022.

The market's structure evolved in 2023 with the announcement that TMD Friction, a major supplier to brands like Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, would relocate a pilot manufacturing plant from Germany to Romania by year-end. This move underscores Romania's competitive advantages—skilled labor, cost-competitive strategies, and a strategic location—which continue to attract international automotive investors and shape the local production landscape.

Production brakes and servo-brakes in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's production of brakes and servo-brakes declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 118.4 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 102.4 million US dollars, marking a 13.5% decrease. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a growth rate of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports brakes and servo-brakes from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of brakes and servo-brakes in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 33 625 tonnes, down 24.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 30.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for brakes and servo-brakes in volume terms was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 22.5% of exports, Russia for 14.1%, and Morocco for 11.2%, together making up just 47.9% of total flows. The remaining 52.1% was distributed among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Romania's exports of brakes and servo-brakes in value terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 230.5 million US dollars, a 24.7% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 34.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Romania's exports of brakes and servo-brakes in value terms. Germany held a 27.6% share, Morocco 11.5%, and Russia 10.5%, collectively accounting for only 49.7% of total exports. The remaining 50.3% was spread across many smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports brakes and servo-brakes to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of brakes and servo-brakes in volume terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 60 899 tonnes, a sharp 19.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 18.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 6.7%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 76 763 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia were notable suppliers of brakes and servo-brakes to Romania in volume terms, but their combined share was not dominant. Germany accounted for 16.6% of imports, Poland for 11.7%, and Slovakia for 11.2%, totaling only 39.4% of all imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Romania's imports of brakes and servo-brakes in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 286.1 million US dollars, a substantial 21.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 9.7%, with an annualized decline of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 392.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

An analysis of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across multiple markets. Germany accounted for 22.1% of imports, Slovakia for 13.0%, and Poland for 12.4%, together making up just 47.5% of total flows. A significant 52.5% was attributed to various other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020