Dacia and Renault: ten years of shared success

Since Dacia was acquired by Renault on July 2, 1999, it has become a major player in the automotive industry and a key component of the Renault group’s strategy.

·    Dacia is ahead of its time. Its original models have changed car buying habits. Customers are attracted by the keen pricing and reassured by the link between Dacia and Renault. Dacia is considered to deliver the best value for money on the market in terms of space, strength and reliability.

·    Dacia has a young range - Logan, Logan MCV, Logan van, Logan pick-up, Sandero: five models launched in five years.

·    Dacia is a constantly growing brand. Almost one million Dacia vehicles have been sold since the launch of Logan in 2004, an increase of 11.7% in 2008, and 15.5% for the first five months of 2009.

·    Dacia, from national brand to global brand: Dacia vehicles are sold in more than 50 countries in 2009.

1999: Dacia joins the Renault group

Renault acquired 51% of Dacia and gradually increased its stake. Since 2003, Renault has held 99.3% of the capital.

1999-2004: large-scale modernization

- The Renault group invested €489 million over five years to modernize the Pitesti plant in Romania. The plan involved upgrading industrial facilities, improving quality, training personnel, changing working conditions, renovating buildings, renewing IT systems and putting in place assembly lines for Renault engines and transmissions.

- Two models launched in 2000 and 2003, SuperNova and Solenza played the role of “learner vehicles” to test the new industrial processes implemented by Dacia and its suppliers. These vehicles paved the way for Logan.

2004-2005: the launch of Dacia Logan, the embodiment of a high-quality attractively priced family vehicle. 

This reliable and affordable family vehicle was intended as an entry-level model for families in fast-growing countries (Romania, North-West Africa, etc.). In response to acclaim from the press and customer demand, Dacia Logan was launched in Europe in Spring 2005. It was an immediate success. Dacia Logan won new market share in all countries: in Eastern Europe, in North-West Africa and also in Western Europe.

Logan is also sold under the Renault brand outside Europe and North-West Africa. It can now be seen on the road in more than 80 countries. At end-June 2009, more than one million Logan vehicles had been sold worldwide under the two brand names (Renault and Dacia).

A few key dates

June 2, 2004:         world premiere of Logan at the Technocentre (France).

September 9, 2004 :     market launch of Logan in Eastern Europe

June 2005:         launch of Logan in Western Europe

September 8, 2005    launch of Logan 1.5 dCi

2006-2008: three new models in the range

Dacia expanded its range with Logan MCV, the estate version of Logan and two light commercial vehicles, Logan van and Logan pick-up.

Logan MCV quickly established itself on all markets. Designed to carry up to seven adults in comfort, it has become the benchmark for affordable estates, with no other comparable vehicles on the market. To date, more than 220,000 Logan MCV vehicles have been sold, mainly in Europe.

A few key dates

March 2006: presentation at the Geneva Motor Show of Logan Steppe, Dacia’s first showcar

October 2006: launch of Dacia Logan MCV

February 2007: launch of Dacia Logan van

February 2008: launch of Dacia Logan pick-up

2008: Dacia eco², economic vehicles that seek to respect the environment

With the launch of the Dacia eco2 eco-label at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008, Dacia showed that it is possible to make affordable cars that respect the environment. All the models in the range are available with Dacia eco2 versions, with petrol, diesel, LPG and E85 engines emitting less than 140 g/km of CO2.

2008- 2009: a brand of growing appeal

With Sandero, its compact, roomy hatchback, Dacia has taken another step forwards. Sandero is not only affordable, it is also attractive and contemporary. This trend has been confirmed by Duster, Dacia’s first concept car, and Sandero Stepway, the off-roader version of Sandero.

A few key dates

June 2008: market launch of Dacia Sandero

July 2008: launch of Dacia New Logan

October 2008: launch of Dacia New Logan MCV

March 2009: presentation in Geneva of Duster, Dacia’s first concept car

July 2009: launch of Dacia Sandero Stepway

Dacia today

Dacia is continuing to reflect the changing lifestyles of consumers looking for the essential car. As proved by a few figures:

- in the first five months of 2009,

. Dacia grew by 15.5% on markets that fell by 16% with sales of almost 120,000 vehicles,

. sales multiplied by eight in Germany,

- Dacia, ninth-ranking brand in France.

Dacia tomorrow

Dacia will remain faithful to its positioning and continue to expand its range, with a new 4x4 model in 2010.

The development of the entry-level range sold under the Dacia and Renault brand names is a priority for the Renault group. With its range of five models, the Group intends to stay one step ahead of the competition and to reflect the changing consumer habits of car buyers, both in Europe, where motorists are coming back to the essential, and in new automotive markets, where many people wish to buy a car for the first time.