Renault’s Dacia brand confirmed for UK launch at end of 2012
British buyers will be able to see, drive and own a Dacia from the end of 2012, following confirmation at the Geneva motor show that the brand will launch in the UK.
Bought by Renault in 1999, Dacia has been transformed over the last decade, selling 1.25m vehicles in the last five years.
With the unveiling of its new Duster compact off-roader in Switzerland this week, Dacia now offers a six-model range. The new compact off-roader, Duster, will sell from 11,900 euros in 4×2 guise in Europe at launch.
Originally intended largely for emerging markets, the first completely new Dacia model was the first 5,000 euro car, the Logan saloon.
2009 was Dacia’s fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth, having more than tripled sales from 100,000 to 311,874 over the last five years. Dacia posted an impressive 91 per cent sales increase in 2009.
With right-hand drive production of Duster now confirmed for 2012, plans have been confirmed to make the UK the final piece of the key European vehicle market jigsaw.
Commenting on the news of Dacia’s impending arrival on British shores, Renault UK’s Managing Director, Roland Bouchara, said, "We’ve been watching Dacia’s remarkable success closely over the last few years, so naturally I’m thrilled that we’ll soon be able to start showing the British public what all the fuss has been about across the water. With value-for-money, downsizing, fuel economy and emissions all becoming increasingly important, we want to show that Dacia can appeal to the head, the heart and the wallet."
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