The Evolution Of The Romanian Car Industry And Its Position On European Market

Automotive industry is one of the most important industries in the world, which leaves its mark not only on the worl d economy but also on the world culture; it occupies millions of people and generates millions of dollars as overall profits. This industry has revolutionized the twentieth century, irreversibly changing the way people live, work, travel and leisure spending. Automobile construction has become the largest industrial activity, with over 50 million units manufactured annually. Automobile industry influences the world economy, generating in a year nearly 17% of shipments of durable goods, designed to operate at least three years; automobile production implies as inputs large amounts of iron, steel, aluminum, natural rubber, copper, zinc , glass, leather, plastic, lead and platinum, more than any other industry. The paper aims to present the evolution of car industry in Romania and the main directions in which the author considers to be done to increase the international competitiveness of Romanian companies, taking into account the European experience and worldwide. The paper will conclude with a relevant case study on the most appropriate ways and means to exploit the competitive advantages in relation to the actual situation existing in the automotive industry in Romania, starting from the positive experience of the firms acting in this area.