Context
The Romanian economy has gone through profound turbulence in the past two decades: the global financial crisis of 2008, frequent legislative shifts, volatile energy markets, and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. For most companies, these shocks translated into stagnation, restructuring, or even closure.
A study published by Termene.ro analyzed the performance of 145 of the strongest businesses in Romania. The findings were striking. Out of more than 650,000 active companies, only 145, representing just 0.02%, managed to remain profitable and grow every single year for the past 17 years. Within this already exclusive group, only four companies achieved something even rarer: double-digit growth every year, without exception, for 17 consecutive years. Autonom is proud to be part of this select group.
Challenge
The period that defines Autonom’s journey has been anything but stable. The 2008 global financial collapse restricted credit and eroded consumer confidence. Frequent regulatory and tax shifts in Romania created uncertainty for businesses trying to plan long term. Technological changes forced companies to adapt quickly or risk falling behind. And the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted mobility worldwide, threatening the very core of Autonom’s business.
In such a volatile environment, sustaining growth above 10% annually while remaining profitable was not just a financial target but a test of resilience, adaptability, and vision.
Strategy
Autonom’s response to these challenges was not to chase short-term wins but to build long-term strength. At the heart of its approach was culture. From the very beginning, Autonom placed honesty and integrity at the foundation of its relationships. Helping clients in every circumstance became a guiding principle, not just a slogan. The organization fostered a strong sense of teamwork, guided by respect, common sense, and positivity. Adaptability and flexibility were encouraged, with simplicity as a guiding path. Most importantly, Autonom embraced the idea of evolving every day, continuously learning and improving.
Alongside this cultural backbone, the company pursued diversification and expansion. Starting as a small car rental business, Autonom gradually transformed into a mobility ecosystem, adding services such as operational leasing, fleet management, equipment leasing, and roadside assistance. This broadened its revenue streams and reduced reliance on a single market segment. The company also expanded geographically, growing its network to 53 branches in Romania and Hungary, managing a fleet of 17,000 vehicles, and employing more than 600 colleagues.
Financial discipline and strategic choices reinforced these steps. Autonom pursued acquisitions in new sectors, launched innovative services such as ridesharing, and raised funds through bond issuances, all while maintaining international certifications for quality, environment, and safety. Together, these strategies created a model of steady, sustainable growth. This model proved resilient even under pressure.
Results
The results speak for themselves. Autonom has recorded 17 consecutive years of profitability and double-digit growth, even through crises that brought other businesses to a standstill. In 2025, the company reported revenues exceeding 841 million lei and doubled its net profit compared to the previous year. This performance placed Autonom among Romania’s “rare four” companies identified by Termene.ro, an acknowledgment of its exceptional consistency.
Beyond numbers, Autonom has become a trusted brand, recognized not only for its mobility services but also for its culture of resilience, transparency, and adaptability. Its story demonstrates that growth is possible in emerging markets when the right foundation is in place.
Lessons Learned
The Autonom case highlights lessons that resonate far beyond Romania. Sustainable growth is not accidental; it is cultural. Resilience is built patiently, through adaptability and learning, rather than through short-term fixes. Diversification reduces risk and creates balance, allowing companies to withstand volatility. And above all, people and values are the true engines of long-term profitability.
Conclusion
Autonom’s story is more than a Romanian success. It shows how a company operating in a volatile economy can achieve world-class resilience by putting culture, adaptability, and trust at the center of its strategy. Being one of only four companies in Romania to reach this milestone makes Autonom not just an exception, but a case worth studying internationally.
For more context and details about the full study, you can check the original analysis on termene.ro.
