UK SALES MARCH - Dacia - After all the years of being in the UK, the sales STILL continue to grow.

• Dacia sales up 10 per cent in first three months of 2017 to 8,228 vehicles
• Dacia consistently voted amongst top car brands for both customer satisfaction and affordability

Dacia’s popularity continues to grow amongst UK car buyers four years after launching in the country with sales breaking last year’s record results. 

According to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Dacia recorded sales of 8,228 vehicles in the first three months of 2017 – up 10 per cent in comparison with the same period in 2016.

For the month of March, Dacia recorded sales of 5,783 vehicles – up 9.2 per cent compared to March 2016 – considerably outpacing the UK car market and growing at one of the fastest rates in the industry.

With the introduction of the revised Dacia Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Logan MCV at the beginning of January complementing the launch of the new Dacia Duster last summer, the robust no-nonsense brand has experienced an encouraging start to the year with sales of the Sandero and Sandero Stepway up 16.7 per cent versus 2016.

Commenting on the performance, Paul Flanagan, Groupe Renault UK Managing Director, said: “With a fully updated range now available in the UK, Dacia is going from strength to strength – four years after launching here, the British public have really taken to Dacia’s no-nonsense approach to motoring. The introduction of the Logan MCV Stepway later this Spring will take the number of Dacia models on sale up to five and given the number of positive comments from dealers and customers already, I’m sure it will prove very popular indeed.”

Since the brand’s launch in the UK in 2013, Dacia has won numerous awards including What Car?’s ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’ for five consecutive years for the Sandero, has been in the top five, out of 35 manufacturers, of the Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey for three consecutive years and also ranked fourth out of 34 brands for customer satisfaction in the recent Which? Car Guide 2016.

Since relaunching to continental Europe in 2004, more than 4 million Dacias have been sold globally. In the UK, over 90,000 Dacia models have been sold since its launch in the country in 2013.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - The Dacia Sandero takes the best small car for the fifth year running.

• New Dacia Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’
• Fifth consecutive win for Dacia supermini at What Car? Awards
• New Sandero now on sale with specification and design upgrades and a new SCe 75 1.0-litre engine
• New Sandero available from £5,995 on-the-road
• More than 90,000 Dacias sold in the UK since launching in 2013

The Dacia Sandero has been awarded ‘Best Small Car for less than £12,000’ for the fifth consecutive year by What Car? at an awards ceremony in London this evening.

The Sandero first picked up the award in 2013, following Dacia’s entrance into the UK car market, and again in 2014, 2015 and 2016. 

Having undergone a series of recent updates for the 2017 Model Year, the supermini has taken the honours once more, underlining its ability to provide a class leading mix of practicality, comfort and low running costs. 

Its shockingly affordable £5,995 price tag is just half the amount of the category it competes in.

Commenting on the decision to give the award to the Sandero for the fifth time, Steve Huntingford, Editor, What Car?, said: “You won’t find this much space for so little in any other new car. 

A recent facelift brought an updated, higher quality interior. The Sandero also feels better to drive: the handling is tidy enough and the ride is surprisingly comfy for such a cheap car. You can buy a Sandero for less than £6,000, but we recommend spending a little more to get mid-range Ambiance trim. 

This adds niceties such as air-conditioning, central locking, electric front windows, a DAB radio and Bluetooth. It also replaces the standard black plastic bumpers with body-coloured ones that look a lot smarter. At this price point, only the Ford Ka+ comes close, and although that’s better to drive, the Sandero is more practical and a fair bit cheaper.”

Commenting on the result, Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re delighted that the Sandero has been recognised by the judges at What Car? for a fifth consecutive year. The New Sandero offers customers even more value for money with upgrades to the interior and exterior as well as enhanced level of equipment while remaining the most affordable new car in the UK.”

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the lowest priced new car on sale in the UK today. The new interior and exterior upgrades for 2017 provide a more elegant and contemporary finish whilst providing the customer additional value and practicality.

The specific Ambiance version chosen by What Car? now comes with more features as standard such as air conditioning and DAB radio – it is the most affordable car on sale in the UK with air conditioning as standard. This is in addition to Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and remote central locking. The new SCe 75 1.0-litre engine produces the same power as the outgoing 1.2-litre but delivers up to 10 per cent more efficiency.

The Dacia brand continues to go from strength to strength with 26,499 new Dacia vehicles sold during 2016, it’s best-ever year of sales in the UK.

Dacia tempts buyers with a series of offers to make the brand even more affordable, You Do The Maths.

• Dacia offers typically no-nonsense offers for 65-reg launch
• Deposit contributions up to £750 further improve affordability
• 7.6% APR Representative
• 5-year/60,000 mile extended warranty offered as standard
• 7-year/100,000 mile warranty upgrade now just £395
• Offers reaffirm Dacia as UK’s number one value car brand
• Dacia ranked number one brand for value for money in 2015 Auto Express Driver Power survey
• Dacia rated first for overall brand satisfaction in Which? Car Guide 2015/16

Cost-conscious car buyers keen to get behind the wheel of a new 65-plate Dacia this autumn will find a typically straightforward offer at their local dealer…a generous manufacturer deposit contribution and an extended warranty on their favourite model.

The offer, which shaves up to £750 off the initial deposit payment and adds an automatic 5-year/60,000 mile warranty, makes owning a Dacia more ‘shockingly affordable’ than ever and delivers even greater value for money from a brand already voted the number one ‘bang for your buck’ brand by consumers.

Available across the range (excluding Access versions) the no-nonsense offer means customers choosing the Sandero supermini, still the UK’s most affordable car at £5,995 RRP, the nation’s lowest priced estate – the Logan MCV – priced from £6,995 RRP and the Sandero Stepway compact crossover, available from £8,395 RRP, will receive a £500 manufacturer deposit contribution towards their down payment.

Meanwhile, those opting for the Dacia Duster – the brand’s serial award-winning SUV priced from £9,495 RRP – will receive a £750 payment towards their deposit.

All eligible models will automatically come with the free 5-year/60,000 mile warranty but buyers can opt for the added protection and value of a 7-year/100,000 mile warranty for a one-off fee of just £395 RRP – a saving of £455 over the usual price.

As ever, Dacia’s supremely flexible and easy-to-understand finance options allow buyers to tailor a payment solution that’s right for them. Buyers are able to specify a deposit of between 0% and 90% and payments over anywhere from 12 to 60 months on Hire Purchase finance solutions.

The offers further strengthen Dacia’s position as the nation’s favourite value car brand, giving buyers yet more motorcar for their money.

This year, the brand was ranked number one of all car manufacturers for value for money in the hugely important Auto Express Driver Power 2015 survey and also came first for overall brand satisfaction in theWhich? Car Guide 2015/16. Both polls measured the opinions of real Dacia owners.

Offers not available on Access versions.

Dacia Duster Ambiance dCi 110 – Representative Example:

48 monthly payments of	£179
Customer deposit	£563
Cash price	£11,995
Dealer deposit contribution	£750
Total amount of credit	£10,682
Finance facility fee	£99
Optional final payment	£4,104
Option to purchase fee	£149
Total amount payable	£14,257
Duration	49m
Fixed interest rate p.a.	6.76%
7.6% APR representative

Offers cannot be used with other schemes or finance offers and are available on featured new vehicles when ordered and registered between 1 September and 30 September 2015. Participating dealers only.

Dacia maintains fifth place overall in the 2015 Auto Express Driver Power Awards

• Dacia maintains impressive fifth place finish out of 32 brands
• Second year for Dacia in leading UK vehicle satisfaction survey
• Ranked first overall for fuel economy and other running costs

Dacia has maintained its position as fifth best brand, ahead of many luxury and premium rivals, in the Auto Express Driver Power 2015 after its debut in the comprehensive customer satisfaction survey last year. 

Dacia’s score of 88.86 per cent overall was achieved with impressive scores from owners on practicality, in-car technology and servicing costs and them ranking Dacia first of all 32 brands for fuel economy and other running costs.  There were also improvements in build quality and performance compared to 2014.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-chief said: “Holding its own in the top five shows that affordability shouldn’t compromise quality, and Dacia has impressed with its models’ reliability and low running costs. It’s clear that British car buyers love a bargain, but that these bargains are proving to be solid investments.”

Commenting on Dacia’s performance in the survey, Andy Heiron, Dacia UK Brand Manager, said: “We’re delighted to maintain our fifth place in this year’s Driver Power survey, rubbing shoulders with luxury and premium brands, whilst still offering Britain’s Most Affordable Cars amongst our line-up. 

"Having had the fastest rise for a new car brand in the UK, the challenge was always going to be to sustain our excellent debut position – to have done so is testament to the product quality and value that the Dacia brand provides for customers.”

The Auto Express Driver Power survey had its largest response ever in 2015 with 61,113 car owners, up 20 per cent on 2014, completing the comprehensive survey about their vehicle ownership experience.

Dacia saw a first quarter UK sales increase in 2015 of 10.3 per cent to 7,524 vehicles. 2014 full-year sales stood at 23,862, up 39.2 per cent on the previous year.

New special Editions to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dacia's re-birth.

• Dacia celebrates its 10^th anniversary with new ‘Lauréate Prime’ special editions
• Special edition adds styling and multimedia upgrades
• Available in the UK on Sandero, Duster and Logan MCV models
• On display at the Geneva Motor Show in March
• Full UK specification and pricing to be released in early Spring

Dacia will celebrate the 10th anniversary since its European re-launch in 2005 at the 85^th Geneva International Motor Show where new special edition versions of the Sandero, Duster and Logan MCV will be unveiled.

Ten years have passed since the Logan was launched in Europe in 2005, heralding the dawn of a bright new era for the Romanian brand Dacia, whose Renault-led rebirth proved to be the catalyst for unprecedented levels of success across the continent.

To celebrate these 10 glorious years, Dacia is producing a series of special edition versions across its range, including the Sandero, Duster and Logan MCV. In the UK, this special edition will be called ‘Lauréate Prime’. True to the brand’s ethos and image, these special edition vehicles will be well-equipped while remaining simple at heart, and will come in an exclusive metallic Cosmos Blue finish.

They will stand out through their distinctive styling trims and will be equipped with a new multimedia and navigation package as standard – Dacia MEDIA NAV Evolution.

Exclusive new Cosmos Blue finish

Blue is the colour traditionally associated with the Dacia brand, and these special edition versions will pay tribute to that by including exclusive metallic Cosmos Blue paintwork as standard.

Attention to detail for the exterior

The Lauréate Prime special edition versions stand out through a series of specific styling features, including ‘Dark Metal’ alloy wheels and door mirror housings.

A carefully-appointed interior

The standard Lauréate interior is enhanced by subtle touches of blue on the upholstery and seatbelts, complimenting the Cosmos Blue metallic exterior. Tasteful grey top-stitching for the seats and special front and rear blue-edged floor mats complete the look.

Generously equipped

The Lauréate Prime special edition versions benefit from a generous equipment specification, based on the existing top-of-the-range Lauréate trim. This includes the exclusive Cosmos Blue metallic finish, Dacia MEDIA NAV Evolution infotainment system, leather steering wheel, climate control for comfort, cruise control with speed limiter for safety and peace of mind, and electric front windows and remote central locking for convenience – all of which are ideal for motorists who use their vehicle on an everyday basis.

Dacia MEDIA NAV Evolution

Included as standard in the UK is the new-generation, user-friendly MEDIA NAV Evolution navigation system complete with a large seven-inch touch screen display. All the qualities from the original infotainment system are retained, including satellite navigation, multimedia capabilities that allow music streaming from devices through a USB, AUX or Bluetooth® connection and hands-free telephony capability.

In addition to this, Dacia MEDIA NAV Evolution adds TMC traffic information, access to social networks when connected to a smartphone via the main display and the ability to access Apple’s SIRI voice recognition function through steering wheel-mounted controls.

A special edition available with a choice of engines

The special edition versions will be available with engines from the current Dacia range and in both two- and four-wheel-drive configurations for the Duster.

Reassuring three-year/60,000 miles warranty

As with every model in the Dacia range, the Lauréate Prime special edition versions come with a three-year/60,000 miles warranty.

Full details on UK specification and pricing will be available in early Spring.

UK SALES - DACIA - another record year for Dacia in its first full year with all models.

• Dacia car sales up 39 per cent in 2014 to 23,862 vehicles
• Dacia market share of one per cent in 2014
• 90 per cent of Dacias sold in 2014 were to private buyers
• Renault Group records 108,440 UK sales in 2014 – up 42 per cent

In just the second year after being launched on our shores Dacia’s rise in the UK showed no signs of slowing the with ‘no nonsense’ car brand posting record sales of 23,862 vehicles in 2014 – up 39.2 per cent on the previous year.

December saw 1,503 Dacias finding new homes in the UK according to official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) out today, representing a market share for the month of 0.9 per cent.  Market share for 2014 full-year stood at 1.0 per cent – a rise of 0.2 percentage points versus 2013.

In 2014, 90 per cent of Dacias sold in the UK were to private buyers – giving the ‘shocking affordable’ brand a retail market share of 1.6 per cent.

The Dacia Sandero hatchback firmly retained its place in the Top 10 selling five-door B-segment cars, with 14,806 being sold in 2014.

Dacia is part of Renault Group, which saw an unprecedented 20-month period of ahead- of-the-market growth through most of 2014 with 108,440 Group sales, for a market share of 3.9 per cent – up some 41.9 per cent from the year before, making Renault Group the fastest growing franchise in the UK and significantly outpacing market growth for a second consecutive year. 

In December, Renault Group sold a total of 8,961 vehicles and had a market share of 4.6 per cent.

Commenting on the performance, Ken Ramirez, Renault Group UK Managing Director, said: “Dacia arrived in the UK just last year and its popularity with the car buying public hasn’t stopped growing since.  Dacia’s clear value-for-money and no nonsense approach have attracted nearly forty per cent more buyers than this time last year and nine out of ten of these are private customers, confirming the positive and enduring appeal of the Dacia brand for UK customers.”