Dacia: Proven technology is the basis

AutoSprintCH: Modern platforms have been developed in the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. Why does Dacia continue to rely on the previous platform?

François Mariotte: This is primarily a question of costs. We calculate very tightly in order to remain profitable despite our prices. A new platform would be too expensive, and the platform is also capable off-road.

AS: So the second Duster generation is just a facelift?

F. Mariotte: No, we have fundamentally revised the car; the body and interior are completely new. Examples: The much flatter windshield changes the aerodynamics, while the higher positioned central monitor is striking on the inside. The quality of the materials has also been improved. And the steering is now electrically assisted, giving the Duster more dynamic handling.

AS: There were also previous rumors of a Duster with seven seats ...

F. Mariotte: This would require a massive intervention in the platform, which is why it never has a chance of being implemented for cost reasons.

AS: Virtually all your vehicles go to private customers. Isn't fleet trading interesting?

F. Mariotte: The cost issue is also important here. We offer an extremely competitive price, whereas large fleets expect large discounts. We can't offer that.

AS: How does Dacia intend to respond to the threat of driving bans for diesel cars?

F. Mariotte: Proven technology is the core of our brand, approaches such as electrification would be too expensive. Our answer to diesel driving bans is LPG: inexpensive, proven, practically no NOx and no particulates.

Here to the Dacia website.