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Logan break in Octobre 2006
What will be the impact of the Logan diesel on the domestic and foreign markets?
We believe that the diesel version of Logan will be the “ace up our sleeve” both in Romania and abroad. The domestic market abounds with imported diesel models. To be more precise, 64% of the imported models are diesel, a rise in the last year from 54%. This means that Romanians are interested in diesel versions, all the more so that the price of fuel is on the rise. Logan diesel is equipped with a modern engine, the same as on other Renault models such as Clio, Modus, Megane or Kangoo, an engine recognized for its reliability and low consumption. As far as exports are concerned, this version will hopefully boost our sales, given that diesel models account for 70% of major markets such as France and Spain. Undoubtedly, a diesel motorisation was exactly the missing link for us to increase out share both in Romania and abroad.
Why not a Logan with an 80 hp diesel engine?
Our primary goal was to build a homogenous car meeting customer expectations. Equipped with this motorization version, Logan is an extremely homogenous car, with low fuel consumption, but also with a retail price in line with customer expectations.
Why does the Logan range lack an options list, like you see in Western markets?
We have tried to propose a tailor-made offer for this model, by taking into account our legal liabilities, the customers’ expectations and – last, but not least – their financial resources. The same Logan manufactured in Romania is sold here, in France or in Syria. It goes without saying that a French customer, for instance, does not have the same expectations and financial resources as a Romanian customer, while in Syria expectations differ even more. Thus, we do our best to provide a range of products customised for each individual market.
Why isn’t the Logan diesel equipped with ABS in Romania?
First and foremost, we are dealing with an entire range here. We have started putting it on the market in various versions. The diesel version we are talking about is not necessarily the best, but there is also the risk that – by adding too much equipment – the customer might no longer cope with the price increase. We have therefore decided not to sell on the Romanian market, for the time being, a version with all the options provided elsewhere. We will tailor our products to customer expectations at a later point in time, but our primary concern was to offer a product in line with customer expectations.
What is the expected launch date of the 1.6 16 valve, 110 hp version and at what price?
We have not set the date yet, it’s probably going to be somewhere around May 2006, and there is no price available for this version for now.
When will we see other Logan bodywork versions (break and minivan)? Our colleagues from the French media have recently published several pictures of the break version.
All Romanian customers will get a chance to see the break (station wagon) model in October 2006, and the minivan in January 2007. It takes so long because the entire process of commencing the construction of a new vehicle is a lengthy one. Anyway, the first station wagons will be manufactured at the Mioveni Plant no earlier than March 2006, followed by the series production.
When will we see a new Dacia model?
For now, we have devoted all our time to developing the Logan range, with the station wagon and minivan versions still to be launched. No decision has been made yet as to starting work on a new project.
Judging by the fact that Logan was quite successful on foreign markets, what are your estimates for the 2006 sales?
We can only speak hypothetically, because next year the sales of Dacia Logan will be limited by the production capacity of the Mioveni Plant. We believe that next year the plant will produce approximately 200,000 vehicles, compared to the current figure of about 185,000 Logan models, half for the Romanian market and half for foreign markets.
Suppose the S2000 model will make its début in the WRC, would you be interested in joining the CNR with a constructor team? How about supporting a Romanian team taking part in the WRC?
We are currently reviewing several opportunities and a decision is still to be made. We haven’t made up our mind yet, we are still pondering over it because it is too early to take a final decision.
“Autocar”, November 2005
Author: Laurentiu Mandu
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