Auf Wiedersehen, Dacia Logan
The car was the champ of the German Abwrackprämien-mania of 2009: Retire your clunker, collect €2000, and for just €5000 of pocket-change, you get a real car with a real trunk and 4 doors: The Dacia Logan. The car, built in Renault’s Romanian subsidiary sold more than 150,000 units ion Germany since its introduction. It drove car executives bonkers, and engineers to their workstations to design low-cost cars. Now, it’s being pulled off the market. The reason?
No buyers, says Das Autohaus. With the end of the German cash-for-clunkers program, demand for the low-cost car evaporated. Renault-Dacia is no longer selling the Logan in Germany. Instead, they will focus on the Sandero hatchback and the Duster SUV.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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I didn't think Western Europe was the car's primary market anyway; sales there were just gravy on top of the Eastern Europe, Middle East, African and South American markets for which the car was designed.
The only constant out there is that nothing is constant. Welcome to the evolving automotive market. Logan is getting old and needs a replacement. Maybe a crossover? @Bertel: c'mon Bertel you know it's Romania. Right?
@ ott: When Renault took over Dacia in Romania completely after the revolution they paid wages so low that they didn't need to invest in automation. This was a blessing for Renault (saving money) and for the Romanians involved (no need to starve anymore) and for the rest of Europe (finally, I can afford a new car). But as Bertel pointed out: "It drove car executives bonkers, and engineers to their workstations to design low-cost cars." And that's why I'm glad to Renault's approach. @ ttacfan: There is not one Europe. Each and every country has its own means to tax the devil out of those evil car drivers. Similar to pensioners, barbers, and butchers they are registered, can't go away and are an easy prey for those living on them. For the prices, check your favorite used car have a look at, e.g., http://www.mobile.de/home/index.html?lang=en,
can't you replicate the feeling of this car by driving the Nissan Versa? for only $9,999