ARO stands for Automobil Romanescu, with production of their off-road vehicles beginning in Campalung in 1957.  Initially, vehicles were based on GAZ’s and they became the most successful of all East European off-roaders with export sales around the world.  Later cars were built with Ford, Daewoo and Toyota engines, with Daihatsu-powered ARO’s also being sold in Spain as Hisparo’s and in Portugal as Portaro’s.  Production ended in 2003.