The Enduring Dacia

Dacia is the name for the original Romania. The Romans ruled Dacia and the Roman soldiers liked the women so much that instead of going back to Rome when their tours were up, they stayed. Dacia is also the name of the Romanian car. Like the Roman soldiers, the Dacias have become stuck forever as part of the landscape.

Before the ’89 revolution the Communists controlled the supply and demand of autos. The only supply was the Dacia, and the demand was artificially controlled by encouraging many to buy a car. There were severe restrictions on when and who could drive, but everyone could own a Dacia. Because the demand was controlled and there were no other options there was never any need to make improvements. For many years the basic body style did not change. What one bought in 1976 was basically the same as what one bought in 1989.

What that means is that there are millions of these look alike cars with interchangeable parts. As rust and age finally corrode a piece of equipment, it’s easy to find a replacement part slightly less rusted or corroded and still in working order.

In the ninety’s the Dacia nameplate and factory was sold to Renault and in Romania today Renault, through its Dacia subsidiary manufactures the Logan, which is rather a nice car, simple but efficient. Meanwhile by far the most popular vehicle remains the old style Dacias. They are everywhere. When, after long decades of service, they finally fail, they are left where they stall, just pushed over onto the sidewalk awaiting their owners’ decision to repair or abandon them. It is nearly impossible to tell those awaiting repair and those abandoned.

There are more cars in Cluj than there are parking places. As residents gradually become more affluent, the demand for autos keeps increasing. Ever so slowly the old Dacias will be replaced by the new Logans or third hand Mercedes or any number of small imports but for many the Dacias remain the most economical option.


Wherever possible around the block apartments metal garages have been placed that are sold or rented. These garages have just enough space for a Dacia. However, there are far fewer garages than there are autos and those without parking space have to fend for themselves. Cars are parked on every available spot, including on the side walks and in muddy fields. And to protect their cars from maraudering used parts mechanics the owners often install quite elaborate alarm systems and protection devices. There are several Dacias that I pass on my walks that appear to have more money invested in the alarm system than the car could possibly be worth.

From the eyes of a westerner, I can’t help but see opportunity in many of the changes taking place in this country. One series of investments that I believe would be lucrative in Romania would be downtown parking lots, suburban self storage units, and parking space rentals around the apartment complexes. I know that the Dacia owners would love to get their autos out of the mud and rain, and I would love to get them off the sidewalks so I’d have space to walk. With the current price of scrap steel I think a mobile auto crusher would also be a wise investment, so long as one could figure out a way to select the abandoned vehicles from those just resting.