Renault's Dacia brand gets fresh styling to broaden appeal
Logan sedan and Sandero hatchback will debut in Paris with new look
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PARIS -- Renault aims to widen the appeal of its low-cost Dacia brand with fresh versions of the Logan sedan and Sandero hatchback that debut at the upcoming Paris auto show.
The new Logan and Sandero will be the first Dacias with the brand's new styling that aims for leaner and crisper horizontal lines, closer to Scandinavian design.
The cars have a "more assertive, status-enhancing styling," Renault said in a statement today.
The models will be offered with engines that are more fuel efficient than those on the current cars, including Renault's new 900cc gasoline powerplant and a four-cylinder 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. Sound deadening and refinement are vastly improved over the first generation cars, the company said.
The cars have been given a more attractive interior styling with using chrome and materials selected to give an impression of quality. The interior also has a more careful fit-and-finish, Renault said.
The Logan and Sandero styling will be applied to all the models underpinned by its MO entry-level platform to create a visual brand identity for Dacia and the M0 program.
Renault aims to sell more than 1 million cars this year based on the low-cost M0 platform, including models such as the Logan, Sandero, Duster SUV and Lodgy minivan. Sales of the MO cars, which are badged as Dacia or Renault models depending on the market, rose 16 percent to 457,000 in the first half.
Dacia is a bright spot for Renault in the weak European market. In the first eight months, Dacia sales fell by 1.3 percent to 163,617 in a total European market down 7 percent. Renault brand sales fell 19.6 percent to 565,147 in the same period.
You can reach Bertrand Gay at autostratinternational@orange.fr.
