Consumers poised for the Dacia Logan's much-anticipated arrival

Dacia’s Logan, the car model that has been expected for almost five years, since Renault bought the main stake in the Romanian carmaker Dacia, is making its official debut on the Romanian market on September 10. In the meantime, trucks loaded with various Logan models are making their way across the country, some of them reaching as far as Poland or Hungary.

“We are not talking about cars that are being delivered abroad to be sold. These cars are aimed to help with the new model’s homologation in the respective countries, which are this way being introduced to the Logan,” officials from Automobile Dacia are saying.

However, in the case of Romania, the Logan models that are being transported from the Pitesti plant to the dealers all over the country have a commercial destination. “Until the open doors operation, which will take place at the beginning of September, these cars will not be exhibited in showrooms,” Dacia representatives added.

According to the quoted sources, two days ago on August 24 the total number of orders for the Logan model exceeded 7,750 units. These figures are on the rise, as only 5,000 cars had been ordered one month ago. It is also worth noting that all of these orders came after a static presentation of the model.

The first official test drives for the press will be available during the first days of September, but, contrary to what people might expect, they will not take place in Romania, but in Turkey.

Analysts forecast a surge in the number of orders once the test drives are over, since the reactions of specialised publications can push the number of ordered cars up to more than the 11,000 units, Dacia officials estimated earlier this year.

Three Dacia Logan versions can now be ordered – Ambiance, Preference and Laureate, which have 1.4l (75hp) and 1.6l (90hp) gasoline engines. The 5,000-euro model and the Logan with a 1.5l diesel engine will not be launched until next year.

The cheapest version, Logan Ambiance, is equipped with a 1.4l, 75hp engine and costs 5,700 euros. It has airbag for the driver, and tinted windows.

The mid-range variant, Preference, also boasts power steering, airbags for both front seats, electric front windows, a radio-cassette player and remote controlled closure. The price of Dacia Logan Preference ranges between 6,300 euros and 6,700 euros.

However, according to Dacia officials, the most sought after variant is the Laureate, also the most expensive. The model’s standard elements include: air conditioning, fog lights, and an on-board computer. The Logan Laureate can cost 7,100 euros (the 1.4l, 75hp engine) or 7,500 euros (the 1.6l, 90hp engine).

The Dacia Logan will be made in Romania, but also in countries such as Russia, Morocco, Iran and Columbia, although under the Renault brand. The French carmaker estimates the global production of the Logan model to reach 700,000 units by 2010.

Renault has invested almost 500 million euros in Dacia Pitesti, with 200 million euros aimed exclusively at the production of the new model.

The Logan will allow the Romanian producer to break even next year, after having logged losses every year since its takeover by Renault.
ionut.bonoiu@zf.ro