Duster, the sport utility vehicle manufactured at Mioveni plant available both under Dacia and Renault brand, is likely to account for 20% of Romanian carmaker’s production output, according to Constantin Stroe, Dacia’s vicepresident.
“The Duster SUV could account for 20% of Dacia’s production output. The production capacity allows for great flexibility so as to meet market needs”, said Stroe.
The vicepresident of Dacia says the SUV will become the carmarker’s flagship model, mainly geared toward women drivers.
“I expect the Duster to enjoy a great success in Romania, because it’s a 4X4 model. The car will please women drivers, and if we manage to keep the price strategy, it will be a very popular car in Romania too”, Stroe added.
Dacia could manufacture around 300,000 cars in 2010, of which 60,000 Duster.
The Pitesti factory will manufacturer both the 4x2 and 4x4 versions for the European, Turkish, Algerian and Moroccan markets, with sales scheduled to begin in spring 2010, and in June 2010 under Renault brand in Ukraine, Middle East and Africa.
The car comes with either a 1.6 16V 110hp petrol engine or with 1.5–liter 85 dCi or 105 dCi diesel power. Dacia Duster measures 4.31m in length and 1.82m in width.
On the passive safety front, Dacia Duster comes as standard with two front airbags (depending on market) and three-point seat belts with load limiters for the front seats. Depending on version, two lateral head/thorax airbags are fitted in addition to the driver and passenger front airbags to provide additional protection in the case of an impact from the side.
