Dacia
Image: Dacia
Romanian carmaker Dacia enjoyed unprecedented growth in the first quarter of 2019. The car firm, partly owned by the Renault Group, saw production rise to 97,231 units, increasing the company's market share by 3.7% within the EU.
According to data from the Automobile Manufacturers Association of Romania (ACAROM), this represents an increase of 13.9% on the same period of 2018.
The sales figures now make Dacia the 12th most popular car brand in the European Union, outselling both Kia and Hyundai.
At 75,321 units, by far the most popular model is the Duster, accounting for 75% of output.
Dacia has been promoting the Duster heavily in recent months, and most recently the 4x4 was used in the Moroccan Carte Rallye. In partnership with the career transition UK charity Future Terrain, that helps army veterans secure qualifications through competing in arduous motoring activities, Dacia supplied three Dusters.
A team of 14 ex and present military personnel drove the 4x4s from the UK to Morocco to compete in the gruelling desert rally. The team competed with unusually wet weather for the Sahara, creating an even bigger challenge.
Scott Garthley, who was a Sergeant in the Adjutant General’s Corps, received several complex injuries following an explosion while serving in Iraq in 2003, including the need to amputate a limb in recent years. He was an expedition coordinator on the event and said: “The event really threw up some challenges for us with the changeable weather. One-minute sunny weather, then heavy rain with poor visibility and sandstorms. It made navigation really tough."
Ultimately, the team achieved second and third place in some legs of the rally.
Back to Homepage
Back to Transportation