Dacia's long-awaited entry into the compact SUV segment, the Bigster, is now on the market with new mild hybrid powertrains and a starting price of under 50,000 leva. This is a big step for the Renault Group brand, which offers “good value for money“, and in the past could only compete on price.
But compact SUV buyers are more demanding and Dacia is aiming to give them all the features they want without increasing costs and weight. This is according to CEO Denis Le Vot. He spoke to Automotive News Europe, touching on electrification, Chinese competition and more. Here is his opinion.
The Bigster is Dacia's largest model yet. How do you see its potential to compete in the busy compact SUV segment in Europe?
The Bigster is a strategic model for Dacia, allowing us to enter the heart of the European market – the compact SUV segment. It is a highly competitive segment, but we believe that the Bigster has unique advantages that will attract customers. We offer an SUV with generous dimensions and practicality typical of a higher class, but at a price that is very competitive in this segment. This is our core strength – to provide more for less.
What will be the key features of the Bigster that will set it apart from the competition?
The Bigster will stand out with its spacious interior, robust and attractive design, as well as the proven reliability that is characteristic of Dacia. It will offer enough space for families and for those who need more luggage space. It will also benefit from efficient engines and modern technologies from the Renault Group, adapted to Dacia's philosophy of offering the essentials at an affordable price. We do not aim for unnecessary extras, but for functionality and robustness.
Price has always been a key factor in Dacia's success. How will you maintain this competitiveness with a larger and probably more technological model like the Bigster?
Maintaining a competitive price is an absolute priority for us. We achieve this through intelligent design, the use of proven and cost-effective technologies from the Renault Group and the optimization of production processes. The Bigster will be based on the CMF-B platform, which is already widely used and allows for cost control. Our goal is to offer the best value for money in the compact SUV segment.
How will the Bigster fit into Dacia’s existing range, especially compared to Duster, which is also a popular SUV?
The Bigster will be positioned above the Duster. It will offer more space, larger dimensions and probably a slightly higher level of equipment, without reaching the luxury of premium brands. The Duster will remain an important model in our range, offering an affordable SUV in a more compact size. The Bigster will attract customers who are looking for more space and functionality, but still want to benefit from the value that Dacia offers.
Do you expect the Bigster to attract new customers to the Dacia brand?
Definitely. We believe that the Bigster will attract customers who have not previously considered Dacia, but are looking for a spacious and reliable SUV at a reasonable price. It will expand our customer base and allow us to compete with established players in the compact SUV segment. This is an important step for the development of the Dacia brand in Europe.
What are your expectations for the sales of the Bigster and what share of the compact SUV market do you hope to win?
It is still early to talk about specific figures, but we have high expectations for the Bigster. We believe that it will be a successful model and will contribute significantly to our sales in Europe. We aim to be a serious player in the compact SUV segment by offering an attractive alternative to existing models. Our goal is not to be the best-selling brand, but to offer the best value for money and gain the loyalty of customers looking for a practical and reliable car.