DAC is a Romanian commercial vehicle brand with an industrial heritage spanning over 50 years, known for manufacturing trucks, buses, and specialty vehicles in BraÃÂov. Launched in the 1970s as part of the national truck industry, the brand has continuously evolved, being used for a wide range of vehicles intended for civilian transport, industrial applications, and special uses, including in the military and mining sectors.
Over time, DAC has distinguished itself through its robust construction and ability to adapt to varied requirements, ranging from distribution trucks and tractor heads to high-capacity dump trucks, port tractors, buses, and trolleybuses.
The DAC brand represents a continuation of RomaniaâÂÂs industrial tradition in the commercial vehicle sector, recognized for its reliability and versatility. The name evokes RomaniaâÂÂs historical roots, inspired by the Dacian civilization and the ancient name of the regionâÂÂDacia.
Brasov Truck Factory (ÃÂntreprinderea Autocamioane BraÃÂov) was established after World War II on the foundation of the old ROMLOC automotive factory built in 1921. In the spirit of the communist days, the industrial plant was named Steagul RoÃÂu (The Red Flag). As of 2000, 750,000 trucks had been produced.
DAC trucks share the same construction platforms with the company's other brand - Roman - but it was not part of the 1971 venture between the then-West German company MAN and the Romanian government.
In the early 1980s, the company developed its own diesel engines with outputs of 240, 280, and 320 hp. These engines, marked with the additional letter "R" for Romanian, signified a step beyond the original license agreement. They were used in DAC trucks, ranging from models 16.240 to 32.280.
DAC vehicles are equipped with standardized cabins of in-house production. These cabins are available in three versions: Normal, Medium, and Double Size. The company also manufactures front axles, drive axles, frames, wheels, bodies, and other components.
In 1984, following the expiration of the licensing agreement with MAN, the Roman range was rebranded as DAC. By 1990, the Brasov plant was restructured into the joint-stock company âÂÂRoman S.A.â as part of a government decision. However, the plant lost access to major markets and began outfitting older chassis with imported components, primarily diesel engines that complied with newer environmental standards. Despite these challenges, DAC trucks continued production for several years after 1990, including a special version designed with updated features for a local fuel company.
The CN series was an in house development of Autocamioane BraÃÂov available since 1977. The CN is available with 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 wheel configurations and 3 to 10 ton cargo capacity. The CN Series feature a rectangular shaped all-metal cab with horizontally grooved doors and side panels, flat front end and a sloping hinged windshield. Vehicles are equipped with license built MAN D2156 6-cylinder diesel engines and a 5- or 6 -speed transmission, 2-speed transfer case, wheel planetary gear drives, wheels with lockable differentials, dual airbrakes, power steering and a 24-volt electrical devices.
In addition to the DAC 665T (6x6) truck, the factory also produced a âÂÂshortenedâ version, the DAC 444T (4x4), with an off-road payload capacity of 2.5 tons.
One of the most long living trucks produced under the DAC brand is 665 series, still in use in Romanian, Georgian and Croatian armies.
The DAC 665 is a family of military trucks designed for traction and transport, manufactured by the Autocamioane BraÃÂov Plant in the 1980s. It was produced in multiple versions and exported to Hungary, Egypt, Iraq, and Cuba.
In the Romanian Army, the DAC 665T has been and continues to be used as a transport vehicle, an artillery tractor, and a chassis for mounting specialized superstructures. The DAC 665T model impressed with the technical features of its traction system. Built with three axles, two of which were rear axles, the vehicle, nicknamed âÂÂthe little tank,â had full all-wheel drive (eight powered wheels). Equipped with an AK 6-80 gearbox with a reducer, the DAC 665T is considered one of the most successful products of the BraÃÂov plant from its inception to the present day. The DAC 665G variant was used to transport pontoons from the bridge parks of the Romanian Army. Both versions featured full 6ÃÂ6 all-wheel drive. The chassis of these trucks served as the foundation for several specialized vehicles.
The DAC 120 DE was a high-capacity mining truck designed by the ICPAT Institute in BraÃÂov and produced between 1988 and 1990. It had diesel-electric propulsion: a 65-liter diesel engine powered two electric motors mounted on the rear axle, each with 520 hp.
Specifications:
After nearly two decades of inactivity, the DAC brand was relaunched in 2025 by Autovehicule DAC S.A., under the leadership of entrepreneur Sergiu Bolocan, in the form of electric vehicles.
The initial portfolio includes ten models divided into three segments:
Autovehicule DAC S.A. has a production hall within the ROMAN platform in BraÃÂov. CKD kits will be assembled at this location: the cab will come assembled, and the rest of the componentsâÂÂthe chassis, axles, springs, and power electronicsâÂÂwill be delivered separately. Initially, electric trucks intended for urban traffic are assembled on a bench, and as sales scale up, production will move to an assembly line.
DAC electric vehicles use LFP batteries and simple asynchronous motors with air and liquid cooling for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs. The 18-ton urban trucks have a symmetrical rear drive axle with two independent motors, one on each wheel.
The brand has been reinterpreted as "Drive Auto Clean," retaining its historic initials and connection to Romanian tradition. The relaunch combines historical valuesâÂÂrobustness, simplicity, durabilityâÂÂwith modern electric mobility technologies.
Autovehicule DAC S.A. aims to sell over 30,000 electric vehicles by 2035, surpassing the 1987 record set by the Autocamioane BraÃÂov factory. The priority is the urban and public transport segment, but the company is also targeting industrial and mining vehicles, where electrification reduces operating costs and environmental impact.
The company has a network of national service centers and plans to expand into new regions, providing maintenance for all DAC models.