When the Romans invaded England, they didn’t last long. The Romanians are getting ready for another try.
Marketing Magazine reports that Renault UK will bring their Romanian-built Dacia brand to the UK by 2012. Amazing. They’re bringing a marque which is positioned LOWER than a Renault. The article goes on to say that Renault wants to emulate the success of low cost brands like Kia. Yes, but will the Dacia come with a 7 year warranty? Renault UK MD, Roland Bouchara said “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.”. I’m reminded of that famous engineering expression “On time, well built and in budget. Pick two.” Does Dacia reckon they can defy this saying? Will the Dacia stand toe to toe with the likes of Skoda, Kia and Suzuki? I’m guessing non.
I have a friend who was born in communist Romania. The Dacia (“dah-chee-uh”, not “day-sea-uh” as Top Gear do it) horror stories are hilarious. Cars fell apart — sometimes nearly completely — while being driven home from the factory.
times have probably changed.
Great news! Dacia is going to the UK!
No James May reference?
“LOWER than Renault”? Can’t miss out on the opportunity to take the P on French cars eh? Seems to be a rosbif habit.
As for the Romanian Dacia, a barebones car has less to break (brake too) and is as such one of the more reliable cars sold in europe. Third behind Lexus.
Sorry the citation goes to a French site:
http://www.autosblog.fr/post/2783/dossier-fiabilite-auto-ufc-que-choisir-dacia-sur-le-podium
Admittedly according to the site, the rest of the french automakers are ranked pretty low, so you might have a point.
I didn’t realize that Dacia wasn’t in the UK yet. It’s been a huge hit on the continent, and without any substantive reliability issues. It’s a Renault, made in Romania. Big deal. But their low prices have made a big impact.
By the looks of that picture, they’re aiming a bit lower than the head, the heart or the wallet.
Having done some mission work in Romania, it occurred to me that most people bought Dacias two at a time: one to drive and one to cannibalize and plant flowers in.
Wow, after reading this I remebered that, not long ago, TTAC reviewed a dacia (https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008-dacia-logan-mcv-15-dci-review/). The reviewer states: “The Logan’s steering is exact and proportional, giving sublime tactical feedback through twisty European back roads. The transmission is slick and smooth. Combined with the straightforward engine, the Logan is a package you can actually, gulp, hustle. I found myself having unexpected fun, and I didn’t have to drive at racetrack speeds (as if) to enjoy myself.”
So maybe this is good news for the U.K. (Not like what the article tries to state) Actually, I own a Renault Logan (I live in Colombia) and, for the price, is quite a good car, maybe better than any of the offerings of Suzuki and some of Kia’s. (Skoda is clearly in another league)
This doesn’t seem any stranger than Hyundai positioning Kia as a lower-end brand – it would indicate to me that the “senior” marque is trying to move up to (in Hyundai’s case) or consolidate (presumably Renault’s intention)a position as a more “premium” brand.
Now to put on my history pedant hat: the Romans were in Britain for well over 300 years – longer, to take one example, than the USA has been in existence.
“When the Romans invaded England, they didn’t last long.”
So 400 years isn’t a long time?
For Europeans, that’s a blink of an eye ….
There are lot of houses in England with thatched roofs older then that. They do archeological digs through the straws of those roofs.
Remember those tiny RC cars that Radio Shack was selling about a 1/2 dozen years ago? The car in that picture looks exactally like that. And either that model doesn’t know how to pose her face or they’re not paying her enough.
Dacia has been amongst the most stellar automotive success stories of the past 10 years so the digs are completely unfounded. Sure, it’s at the cheap end of the spectrum but it is also one of the best suited cars to the tasks it was deisgned for – cheap, simple, reliable transportation for Eastern Europe and 3rd world countries.
Skoda , Hyundai , Kia , are moving up-market – no longer bargain basement cars. This Dacia can sell for half the price of a Renault so it may well be a good seller.Better engineered than Chinese cars , which are not yet available.
I’m sorry, what were we talking about?
I am willing to bet lots of moneys that Top Gear will buy three Dacia’s when they first turn up in Britain. One will be driven gently and loved, and the other two thrashed mercilessly until they broke or driven into a wall/lake/off a cliff.
Or a piano flals on one. :-)
I drove a Dacia in Morocco 2 years ago, it was fine, just like driving a new car ten years ago. Old tech, well implemented. Not my bag, but effective transport with an optimised FMECA!