Renault is considering the discontinuation of one Dacia model from a list of three vehicles which apparently step on each other’s toes: the Logan MCV, Dokker and Lodgy.
The news first appeared in the French business daily Les Echos and was confirmed by a Renault spokesman to AutoNews Europe. The three models are at risk because of slowing demand for vans and wagons in Europe, as the market prefers SUVs and crossovers in the subcompact, compact and budget car segments.
But while sales of the Morocco-built Lodgy are down and demand for the Dokker is stagnating, the recently-revamped Logan MCV has seen impressive growth rates. Renault said it sold 23,930 units in Europe in the first eight months of the year, up from 10,700 during the same period last year.
According to figures from JATO Dynamics, Dacia Dokker sales rose 2 percent to 9,952 in the first half of the year, ranking fifth in a segment that fell 41 percent between 2011 and 2014. As for the Lodgy, sales fell 44 percent to 11,238 units in the first half of the year, in a segment that was down 9 percent to 197,380 units.
Judging from these sales figures, the Lodgy looks as the prime candidate to be axed, as keeping weak-selling models in the lineup could put Dacia’s profitability at risk.
The budget brand is estimated to have an operating margin of 9 percent, similar to what premium carmakers generate. Overall, Dacia sold 250,769 vehicles in Europe through August, with sales up 30 percent on strong demand for the Sandero, Logan sedan and Duster SUV.
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