IRISH MOTORISTS are to get another budget brand – Renault has confirmed it will sell its Dacia cars here.
The Romanian-built cars are expected to be sold exclusively by a selection of the country’s Renault dealers from 2012, although initially they will only have one model to sell – the Duster compact SUV.
The eastern European carmaker, which is owned by Renault, is likely to have a dedicated space within the same showroom as Renault cars meaning dealer investment should be kept to a minimum. Renault has been undergoing a major shake-up of its dealer network here, with several well-known dealerships no longer holding the franchise, so it’s still unclear how many of its current dealers will be in the network by the time the Dacia brand arrives.
The arrival of an SUV will please Renault dealers after their importer Renault Ireland dropped the French manufacturer’s own SUV – the Koleos – from its line-up after less than two years on sale here.
The news of Dacia’s arrival comes just weeks after Chinese carmaker Great Wall confirmed it is to bring its own budget-priced cars to Ireland next year.
Dacia produces a six-model range comprising three passenger cars, two vans and the new Duster.
Initially it will only be the Duster that will be built in right-hand drive, with other models following by 2014.
The new SUV, which is powered by a choice of Renault engines, was unveiled at this month’s Geneva Motor Show where Renault said it planned to sell it in Europe from just under €12,000 with all taxes included, although Irish prices have still not been confirmed.
“Duster will go on sale in Europe at tax-paid prices starting from €11,900 for the two-wheel drive version, and from €13,900 for the four-by-four version,” said a spokesman. “It offers an unbeatable performance, equipment and interior space package for its price.”
Dacia has enjoyed significant growth since Renault bought the Romanian marque 11 years ago using its budget-priced models as a springboard into emerging markets like Russia and Brazil.
It launched the four-door Logan saloon in 2004 at just €5,000.
Since then, Dacia has seen sales increase year on year. Last year, it sold 311,000 vehicles and in Europe it enjoyed a 91 per cent sales increase. It is now one of France’s top 10 selling marques and in Germany it sold over 83,000 vehicles last year, making Germany its biggest export market.
Such has been the success of the marque in these established European markets that the carsare now being sold in stand-alone Dacia showrooms.