Renault unveils Sandero, an attractive, spacious saloon intended for the South American market
Source: Renault press release via Global Auto Index
(...)Developed from the same B0 platform as Logan and built in the Curitiba plant in Brazil, Sandero will be marketed in Brazil from December 2007, followed by Argentina. Thanks to the involvement of Renault’s Brazil-based Regional Engineering Centre, Sandero was designed with the expectations of South American customers in mind. This attractive 5-door hatchback boasts all the basic qualities of vehicles derived from the B0 platform: it is roomy, robust, and has plenty of luggage space. Sandero will be marketed in Brazil with a three-year warranty, unprecedented in its class.
Sandero is a 5-door hatchback that will further strengthen Renault's product range in South America. It will be manufactured at the Ayrton Senna plant in Curitiba in Brazil.(...)
****
For those not aware what the deal is about - the Dacia Logan is Renault's ultra-cheap car created with developing markets in mind (although selling reasonably well even in Western Europe), originally created by Renault's Romanian subsidiary Dacia (a long-time Renault licensee in the communist times taken over by Renault at the turn of the millennium).
Exploiting inventive cost-cutting ideas, Renault has created a reasonable and fairly modern car (based on Renault Clio underpinnings, with modern safety systems and all), providing family-sized space without the many creature comforts of modern-day cars, albeit with a rather drab appearance inside and out. The Logan is sold as Dacia or Renault, depending on the market, with the original sedan body style recently joined by a 7-seating "MCV" along with a panel-van version.
There were also other body styles promised - while the pickup has just been presented in Frankfurt, it is not clear whether the off-Frankfurt Sandero is the promised hatchback, or an entirely different initiative of Renault do Brazil. One thing is for sure - the Sandero got spruced up with neater styling on the outside and more appealing interior fixtures. It sure makes for an attractive counterproposition for Chevrolet Celtas, VW Gols and Fiat Palios. There is no word whether Renault will try to exploit the low-cost niche in the US, but since GM is intent on creating a similar vehicle, they would have to keep an eye on the Sandero.
Just to make sure - the Logan has already arrived to North America. It is sold in Mexico by Nissan (Renault has only limited presence there) as Nissan Aprio - some of you Texans might have seen them.