The automotive parts and wiring industries in Romania are currently facing a crisis, mirroring the fate of the textile sector. The decline in productivity and utilization of facilities has led to a concerning situation where salaries are increasing.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable decrease in manufacturing activity, particularly impacting the automotive industry segment focused on parts and subassemblies for export, characterized by low added value. Major players like Schaeffler, Leoni, Yazaki, Draxlmaier, and Fujikura are scaling back operations or considering selling off.

Romania’s industrial sector, which contributes about 20% to the country’s economy, has been on a downward trend since 2018. Industrial products make up a significant portion of the country’s total exports, with a heavy reliance on markets in Germany, Italy, and France.

One of the hardest-hit sectors is automotive wiring, similar to the clothing industry, facing a decline due to low value-added activities. International manufacturers like L