2023-07-18 13:33:00
On the occasion of the financial results of the Romanian brand of the Renault group, Xavier Martinet, the brand’s sales and operations director, returned to the major news in the automotive industry that will impact Dacia. The brand low cost, which is posting very good results with an 8.4% increase in its market share for passenger cars compared to the same period in 2022, could see the electric bonus slow its course. Indeed, while all of Renault’s electric models will be manufactured in France in the years to come, Dacia, for its part, manufactures its only electric car… in China!
A location that allows it to be significantly cheaper than other electric city cars on the market. ” Today, a Dacia Spring sells on average around 17,000 euros when, on the rest of the market, we are around 35,000 to 38,000 euros. “, underlined Xavier Martinet, the director of sales and operations of the brand. A significant price difference, but for how long?
Transition to the electric car: what if the solution came from Dacia?
The Dacia Spring will not return to Europe
Because the government recently announced a desire to redirect its electric bonus to vehicles with the lowest ecological impact in 2024, in order to counter the massive arrival of Chinese manufacturers. But problem: the Dacia Spring made in China would not be eligible while other models, such as the Tesla model Y made in Berlin, Germany, would remain in the bonus of 5,000 euros. When the results were announced, the question arose of repatriating the vehicle. But the Dacia will indeed remain in China, at least for the moment, assured Xavier Martinet.
“We ask ourselves the question every six months. But, currently, repatriating the Dacia Spring to Europe would be too expensive. If, ultimately, the electricity market opens up opportunities, it makes sense to produce next to where you sell. But the volumes are not yet sufficient, it takes more than 100,000 cars produced in a factory if we want to amortize the costs, we are at 60,000 units per year this year. »
Because, even with a reduction of 5,000 euros, electric city cars made in Europe like the Renault 5 or the Peugeot 308 should cost around 20,000 euros, which is still more expensive than the Dacia Spring today. Only the electric Citroën C3, not yet presented but announced at 20,000 euros for the entry level without bonuses in 2024, could compete with it.
No price reduction on Dacia
However, before the question of the electric bonus, it is the market that scares the Romanian brand. Indeed, while sales of the electric model have increased by 38% compared to the same period last year, demand is starting to weaken in certain European countries. Blame it on the unfavorable exchange rate as well as the increase in electricity prices according to Xavier Martinet, which plunge customers into purchasing confusion, but also on the reductions in subsidies on electricity in certain countries of Europe like Romania or the UK.
Dacia is developing synthetic fuels… thanks to the Dakar Rally
Despite this slowdown, Dacia does not want to lower its prices considering that they are already below those of the market. In addition, the Romanian manufacturer plans to extend its solidarity mobility offer to 140 euros per month in France to other countries, ensuring that 2,000 Dacia Springs had been financed on national territory thanks to this micro-credit.
For the rest of the year, the brand does not seem worried, ensuring an order book at three and a half months for the moment. ” We are no more afraid of Chinese cars than of other current manufacturers “argued Xavier Martinet. Dacia still has several projects ahead of it, including the release of the future Duster next year as well as its entry into the sporting competition of the Dakar Rally in 2025, ” to take the brand a little further towards its development. »
Dacia 2023 half-year results
The Romanian brand posted a 24.2% increase in sales compared to last year. It thus gained 4.5% of market share in total and 8.4% only on sales to individuals, i.e. the second step of the podium in Europe, a historic first. A total of 345,432 cars were sold. All of the brand’s models have progressed, starting with the Jogger, the most recent and whose sales have increased by 130%.
The Romanian brand consolidates its number one position in France and Romania and surprisingly wins in Germany where it finishes third as well as on the first step of the podium in Italy, unprecedented!
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