► Dacia’s plans after Bigster SUV
► New ‘C-segment’ cars will expand the range
► And the new models won’t be SUVs
Dacia will expand its range of cars in the next few years, introducing two new ‘C-segment’ cars. Dacia boss Denis Le Vot confirmed the brand is working on these new models at the 2024 Geneva motor show.
For reference, C-segment refers to mid-sized family cars. A C-segment hatchback, for example, is a Volkswagen Golf or a Vauxhall Astra, while a C-segment SUV is like a Nissan Qashqai, Audi Q3 or Dacia’s own Bigster due later in 2024.
As the brand gains confidence and attracts new customers from new markets and new audiences, Dacia is hoping to keep the momentum up with new models in new body styles. ‘We are working on two different bodies, additional [to the current range],’ says Le Vot. ‘The very same platform, the very same factory, the very same everything in order to remain competitive.’
But will they be SUVs? ‘No, we’re going to be more innovative than that,’ adds Le Vot (pictured below). ‘We already have two SUVs with the Duster and [forthcoming] Bigster, so now let’s see what are the projected needs of transportation… family movers… whatever you want, in the future.’
That means the two new cars will run on CMF-B – the same architecture as pretty much everything else Dacia currently sells aside from the Spring EV. Given Dacia’s values of providing functional mobility for as many people as possible, we could see something like a traditional C-segment hatchback to compete against the likes of the Astra, a coupe-like crossover to tackle Peugeot’s ‘fastback’ 408 or a longer saloon to sit above the third-generation Logan that’s been on sale in some markets since 2020.
Le Vot recognises there is space for Dacia to grow in this segment on top of offering the Bigster. ‘We’re going into the biggest swimming pool in Europe, which is the C-Crossover segment – that’s 2.5m cars,’ says Le Vot. ‘We just want a little chunk of these people to consider the possibility of buying this. And the biggest C-segments in Europe are Germany and the UK – these people are really important for our presence.’