Latest news with #Dacia
Auto Car
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
You never knew the amazing origin story of this best-selling European car brand...
Renault offered the innovative 16 as an alternative, but the party deemed this too pricey. So the factory would have to start off making the older, rear-engined 8. It was renamed the Dacia 1100 (Dacia was the name of Romania in antiquity), and efforts would be made to localise its supply chain. The very first 1100 was driven off the line by Ceausescu in August 1968, and a year later it was joined by a rebadged 12, the Dacia 1300 – and Mioveni also started making parts for Renault. From around 30% initially, local content would rise to 100% through the 1970s. Production totalled about 20,000 cars annually, many of them exported to France. Such was Dacia's success that in 1973 the party asked Renault about adding a smaller, more frugal car (the new 5, we would imagine) – but the answer was no. So instead it partnered Citroën, creating the Oltcit brand. A new factory was built in Craiova, opening in 1981 with production of the new Visa and Club superminis – the latter developed from an old proposal for a 2CV successor and sold abroad as the Axel. None of this was reported by Autocar when it happened, due to the obfuscation of the Iron Curtain and the lack of relevance to British drivers. That changed in 1981 with an announcement by Yorkshire company Tudor Vehicle Imports. TVI had begun life two years prior importing 4x4s and commercial vehicles made by Romania's ARO and TV firms, and now it was adding the Dacia 1300 saloon/estate to its dealerships.
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
New-gen Renault Kwid EV spied sans camouflage, draws design inspiration from Duster SUV
Upon launch, the Renault Kwid EV would lock horns with rivals like MG Comet EV and Tata Tiago EV in India. (Image: autossegredos) Notify me Despite being present in the Indian passenger vehicle market for quite some time and fuelling speculations, Renault is yet to enter the electric car space of the country. The French automaker is speculated to bring its Kwid EV to the country for a long time, but the plan has not materialised yet. However, with the new generation Renault Kwid EV being tested in Brazil, the launch of the small electric car, which would challenge the MG Comet EV and Tata Tiago EV in India, seems not very far away. The next-generation Renault Kwid EV has been spotted testing without any camouflage ahead of its debut in Brazil. Interestingly, this same car has been spotted testing in India on multiple occasions. Now, with the Brazilian market ready to get the EV, it is expected to reach Indian shores sometime in 2026. However, Renault has not revealed anything officially. The Renault Kwid EV that has been spotted testing in the Latin American market is a rebadged iteration of the Dacia Spring EV. The exterior design is identical. Interestingly, the Renault Kwid EV wears a design that is drastically different from what the current petrol engine-propelled Kwid in India looks like. The design philosophy is more in sync with the contemporary Renault models that have been introduced in the international market. The front profile is more aggressive and looks identical to the upcoming new generation Duster. The bold face sports LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights, a beefy bumper, among others. Moving to the rear, there is a delta-shaped taillight connected by a thick black strip, while the bumper gets a beefy black cladding. While the interior has not been spotted, expect the cabin theme, feature list and powertrain specifications to be similar to the Dacia Spring EV. The Dacia electric car comes equipped with features such as dual digital screens, automatic climate control, traffic sign recognition, lane watch assist, etc. However, the India-spec Kwid EV may come sans some of these features. Powering the electric hatchback is a 26.8 kWh battery pack, which promises up to 305 km range on a full charge. The front axle-mounted electric motor is capable of churning out 65 bhp peak power and 125 Nm of maximum torque. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date: 22 Jul 2025, 09:43 am IST
India Today
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- India Today
New Renault Triber to debut French carmaker's fresh logo in India
Renault India is set to roll out its refreshed brand identity across the country, with the upcoming launch of the new Triber becoming the first model to sport the company's updated logo. The new emblem, a minimalist, interlocked diamond marks a shift in Renault's brand philosophy under its global 'renault. rethink.' transformation forward, all new Renault products launched in India will carry this new badge, signifying a move towards a more modern, human-centric, and digitally connected brand ethos. The redesigned logo reflects Renault's evolution, combining geometric precision with simplicity to convey clarity, connection, and new flat design ditches additional typography and embellishments, enabling it to seamlessly adapt across both physical and digital platforms, from car grilles to screen animations. The brand's new visual identity is also being rolled out across all consumer touchpoints in India, including showrooms, service centres, offices, manufacturing units, and the company's R&D April 2025, Renault India showcased a new design concept that offers an early look at the upcoming third-generation Duster, which is anticipated to launch in the Indian market later this year. The unveiling also coincided with the inauguration of a new design centre in Chennai, set to support both domestic and international projects. As part of its product strategy, Renault plans to introduce five new vehicles in the next two years, including an electric model tailored for both Indian and global next-gen Duster is likely to be available in both 5-seater and 7-seater configurations, positioning it in the competitive mid-size SUV space. It will rival models such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and the Tata by the CMF-B modular platform, shared across Renault, Dacia, and Nissan, the new Duster features a bold and contemporary design. Key highlights include slim Y-shaped LED daytime running lights, a chrome-detailed front grille, vertically arranged air inlets, and a sturdy lower bumper. The SUV maintains its rugged stance with squared-off wheel arches, prominent alloy wheels, roof rails, and a distinctive sloping rear quarter glass. At the back, sharp Y-shaped LED tail lights enhance its modern to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
New cheapest electric car in Britain
The £14,995 Dacia Spring is no longer Britain's cheapest electric car... for the time being, anyway. It has lost its crown to a Chinese newcomer, which today announced it is slashing its model prices in response to the Government's new Electric Car Grant. Leapmotor - which recently agreed a deal with Stellantis to stock its Chinese-made EVs in the European giant's network of UK showrooms - has knocked £1,500 off the price of its T03 city car. which has a range of 165 miles on a full charge. This has slashed the price to £14,495 - undercutting Dacia's bargain battery model by £500 - to make it the most affordable new EV sold in Britain. Leapmotor's only other model sold in the UK, the C10 family SUV, is also being discounted by £3,750 with immediate effect. The size of these two price cuts matches the minimum and maximum discount being offered through Labour's new Electric Car Grant announced on Monday. However, while Leapmotor claims the 'Leap-Grant' is being offered to customers now to avoid delays waiting for the Government scheme's arrival, reports suggest it and other Chinese brands are unlikely to qualify for the taxpayer-funded subsidies at all. The Electric Car Grant (ECG) - announced by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander this week - is the Government's new big hope to reignite demand for EVs, as it continues to steer towards outlawing sales of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030. However, it won't be available with immediate effect. This is because manufacturers need to apply to be eligible for the scheme, which could take weeks, experts have hinted . Leapmotor UK says this is why it is, 'taking a proactive leap forward to help electric car buyers save up to £3,750 immediately, by launching its own self-funded EV grant, effective from today'. It adds: 'This initiative makes Leapmotor the first car manufacturer in the UK to offer such a grant since the Government announced its own EV grant scheme, which won't kick in for consumers until next month.' For the Government scheme, only cars up to £37,000 qualify, which rules out premium models, including every Tesla on sale. No Audi, BMW or Mercedes EV will be eligible either. This might sound like good news for Leapmotor and its budget-friendly model offering, but reports have suggested it - and other Asian brands - will fail to meet a secondary stipulation put in place by government to qualify for the ECG. In order to be eligible, manufacturers must meet specific sustainability criteria, based on the Science-Based Target (SBT). This is an industry-wide green standard providing scores for companies reflective of the carbon impact of manufacturing products - in this instance, electric cars and their batteries. Only the greenest companies will receive the full £3,750 grant subsidy, while those considered to only meet a lower band will be issued £1,500 discounts, the DfT has confirmed. However, vehicles that don't meet a minimum threshold - which is yet to be divulged - will not receive a grant at all. Reports have suggested that Chinese EV makers could fall foul of the emissions-based rules. As could other Asian manufacturers, including those from Korea and Japan, according to Autocar . Speaking on the BBC's Today programme on Wednesday (16 July), Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said she did not expect any cars that are produced in China to be eligible. 'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards,' she said. 'And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant.' According to The Telegraph , the Chinese embassy has hit hack and the scheme's stringent requirements. It has called on the UK to follow World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and create a 'non-discriminatory environment for investment'. WTO rules stipulate that members must not give favourable treatment to one country over another when it comes to trading goods and services. An embassy spokesperson added: 'The Chinese side is closely following the situation and will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.' China's - and the world's - biggest EV maker, BYD, has informed the DfT of its intention to apply for eligibility for the Electric Car Grant and said it looks forward to being 'part of it'. Leapmotor says, like consumers, it is 'still waiting to learn which vehicles will qualify, how much financial support will be available, and when the grants will take effect'. Its terms and conditions say discounts are subject to orders placed between 18 July and 30 September 2025 from authorised Leapmotor retailers. However, if it fails to qualify for the Government grant on sustainability grounds, it might be forced to extend the deals. That said, Dacia's Spring - which costs from £14,995 and has been Britain's cheapest EV for the last 12 months - is also produced in China. In fact, it's manufactured in Covid-originating Wuhan by Dongfeng Renault - a joint venture between Dacia's parent company Renault Group and Dongfeng Motor Group. Whether it will qualify for the Government's £1,500 to £3,750 grants is yet to be seen. For the next two months at least, the T03 is being knocked down from £15,995 to just £14,995 with a £1,500 discount applied. Those using Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance can pick one up before the end of September for £169 per month and £169 deposit on 0 per cent APR for four years. The bigger C10 SUV is slashed by £3,750 to £32,750 or on a 0 per cent four-year PCP contract for £319 per month and £319 deposit. 'Our mission is to help make the leap to electric cars easy for UK drivers,' said Damien Dally, managing director at Leapmotor UK. 'We've decided to act now because we want to give customers clarity, confidence, and immediate savings – and make the switch to electric a simple choice.' Both cars come with a four-year warranty, while their batteries are covered by a separate eight-year guarantee. Chinese rival Great Wall Motor (GWM) has also since launched its own £3,750 'Green Grant' for the Ora 03. 'The initiative follows the recent announcement that the UK Government's electric vehicle grant includes will focus on a specific set of vehicles, leaving many customers confused and waiting to see if models like Ora 03 will qualify,' the company said. It means the entry-level Ora 03 PURE now starts from £21,245.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
New cheapest electric car in Britain: Chinese brand slashes price as reports suggest it WON'T qualify for government's EV grant
The £14,995 Dacia Spring is no longer Britain's cheapest electric car... for the time being, anyway. It has lost its crown to a Chinese newcomer, which today announced it is slashing its model prices in response the Government's new Electric Car Grant. Leapmotor - which recently agreed a deal with European giant Stellantis to share its Chinese-made EVs in its network of UK showrooms - has knocked £1,500 off the price of its T03 city car, which has a range of 165 miles on a full charge. This has slashed the price to £14,495 - undercutting Dacia's bargain battery model by £500 to make it the most affordable new EV sold in Britain. Leapmotor's only other model sold in the UK, the C10 family SUV, is also being discounted by £3,750 with immediate effect. The size of these two price cuts matches the minimum and maximum discount being offered through Labour's new Electric Car Grant announced on Monday. However, while Leapmotor claims the 'Leap-Grant' is being offered to customers now to avoid delays for the Government scheme's arrival, reports suggest it and other Chinese brands are unlikely to qualify for the taxpayer-funded subsidies at all... The Electric Car Grant (ECG) - announced by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander this week - is the Government's new big hope to reignite demand for EV as it continues to steer towards outlawing sales of petrol and diesel cars in 2030. However, it won't be available with immediate effect. This is because manufacturers need to apply to be eligible for the scheme, which could take weeks, experts have hinted. Leapmotor UK says this is why it is 'taking a proactive leap forward to help electric car buyers save up to £3,750 immediately, by launching its own self-funded EV grant, effective from today.' It adds: 'This initiative makes Leapmotor the first car manufacturer in the UK to offer such a grant since the Government announced its own EV grant scheme, which won't kick in for consumers until next month.' For the Government scheme, only cars up to £37,000 qualify, which rules out premium models, including every Tesla on sale. No Audi, BMW or Mercedes EV will be eligible either. This might sound like good news to Leapmotor and its budget-friendly model offering, but reports have suggested it - and other Asian brands - will fail to meet a secondary stipulation put in place by government to qualify for the ECG. In order to be eligible, manufacturers must meet specific sustainability criteria based on their Science-Based Target (SBT). This is an industry-wide green standard providing scores for companies reflective of the carbon impact of the production of products - in this instance, electric cars and their batteries. Only the greenest companies will receive the full £3,750 grant subsidy, while those considered to only meet a lower band will be issued £1,500 discounts, the DfT has confirmed. However, vehicles that don't meet a minimum threshold - which is yet to be divulged - will not receive a grant at all. Reports have suggested that Chinese EV makers could fall foul of the emissions-based rules. As could other Asian manufacturers, including those from Korea and Japan, according to Autocar. The Government insists every car maker qualifying for the grant must achieve certain industry scores for the green production of its cars and batteries. Reports have suggested that Chinese marques might not make the cut Leapmotor says, like consumers, it is 'still waiting to learn which vehicles will qualify, how much financial support will be available, and when the grants will take effect'. Its terms and conditions say its discounts are subject to orders placed between 18 July and 30 September 2025 from authorised Leapmotor retailers. However, if it fails to qualify for the Government grant on sustainability grounds, it might be forced to extend the deals availability. That said, Dacia's Spring - which costs from £14,995 and has been Britain's cheapest EV for the last 12 months - is also produced in China. In fact, it's manufactured in Covid-originating Wuhan where it is built by Dongfeng Renault, a joint venture between Dacia's parent company Renault Group and Dongfeng Motor Group. Whether it will qualify for the Government's £1,500 to £3,750 grants is yet to be seen. Powered by a 37.3kWh battery and a 95hp (70kW) electric motor and riding on skinny 15-inch wheels, the T03 has a claimed average range of 165 miles (245 miles if driving only in town) For the next two months at least, the T03 is being knocked down from £15,995 to just £14,995 with a £1,500 discount applied. Those using Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance can pick one up before the end of September for £169 per month and £169 deposit on 0 per cent APR for four years. The bigger C10 SUV is slashed by £3,750 to £32,750 or on a 0 per cent four-year PCP contract for £319 per month and £319 deposit. 'Our mission is to help make the leap to electric cars easy for UK drivers,' said Damien Dally, managing director at Leapmotor UK. 'We've decided to act now because we want to give customers clarity, confidence, and immediate savings – and make the switch to electric a simple choice.' Both cars come with a four-year warranty, while their batteries are covered by a separate eight-year guarantee.
