Renault Sandero: A Logan for America

[Bravada]

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.

[Chaz_23]

When is the Jackal jumping on the alphanumeric bandwagon? "sandero" lol

[Bravada]

More info - UK's Car Magazine reports the Sandero will arrive in the UK as Dacia (the first Dacia ever), and that the company is pondering lauching Dacia as a separate make in Western Europe. The Logan is marketed as Dacia in Eastern Europe, where Dacia had an established brand recognition, and, to my best knowledge, Spain, but e.g. in Russia, France or Germany, it is still marketed as Renault.

Although wherever the Dacia brand is present now, Logans share showrooms with Renault (with some standalone Dacia dealers too FWICT), there are talks of novel marketing formulas, at least for the UK.

More fun facts:
* the car was developed entirely digitally, without the modelling phase, to cut costs and speed up the process
* E85 capability reported

According to Romanian sources, Dacia's home plant in Pitesti is likely to join Ayrton Senna in Curitiba in manufacturing the Sandero (for European markets).

[paul8488]

I think that looks excellent! A very tidy, interesting design, with some great angles at the rear. The nose is typical Renault, but overall the car looks fresh. I think it should look good for a long time. Wish they'd introduce this as a Dacia in Europe. I could come up with 6000 euros for something like this.

[Bravada]

According to Car Magazine, they will. Keep your 6000 at hand for a new Dacia

[tomprice]

But then I suppose if they decide to export to the UK they'll charge our arses off and get a HUGE profit like they always do on cars in the UK.

Dacia Logan in Europe? £3500. Dacia Logan in UK? That'll be c.£5000

Grrr. Car manufacturers pee me off sometimes....

[gmhashope]

Glad they don't sell this in the U.S.

[gm_scott]

I actually like the design of this car! Is this something they would sell in Cuba?

[paul8488]

Just checked out the Dacia.fr website and see that the Dacia version of the Sandero has been shown at the Geneva autoshow. I love this thing! Is it much smaller than the Logan Bravada? I can't really tell. I assume it is, since you say it will be priced lower. Whohoo! I want one!

[paul8488]

Hey Bravada, any news on this bad boy?

[Bravada]

Not really, but Anna Book has a song (almost) in point:

http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=tgkAatPPmj0

[MaxLegroom]

If they sold this in the U.S., its success would depend on pricing. It is a decent looking car, but it will remind people of the Nissan Versa. I doubt very much that they would be able to sell it for that much less than the Versa. Also, I somehow suspect that the automotive press here would crucify it.

[paul8488]

Grrrr... where is this thing? The Dacia France site has the same basic info on the car, but not many details and certainly no hint as to when it's coming (or even if it really is)! Bravada, do something about that!!!

[Ttple]

It's goofy looking.

[paul8488]

It's allowed to be goofy looking... it's 6000 euros! Personally I don't find it goofy... I don't even find it plain... I think the exterior is as tidy and pleasing as most small cars, if the interior is a little simple. Still, for 6000 euros (if that IS the eventual price in Wester Europe), this would be a super car and a huge hit. Cheaper and less square than the Logan, which is already a massive hit... sounds like a good idea to me!