French - owned car maker Dacia launched its new Logan, Sandero and Sandero Stepway (in picture, below) models at an event attended by the President Traian Băsescu yesterday evening (November 13 ) at the Romaero Băneasa in Bucharest. The President (in picture, above) described the launch as “a huge event” for Romanians, saying that it is further proof of Romania's ability to produce cutting edge engineering and technology. The new models were shown previously at the Salon du Auto in Paris but last night's event marks the arrival in Romanian showrooms of Dacia's latest.

As well as the Romanian President, senior management figures from Renault owned company Dacia also attended the local launch. During his speech, the President recalled the journey Romania's car manufacturer has been on in the last 15 years, from a time when the factory faced closure before being saved by Renault. “Today we have a competitive Dacia, a superb Dacia,” said Băsescu.

Hopes are high for the new vehicles well beyond Romania's borders. The Sandero is set to become Europe's most competitively priced car, going for EUR 6,990 in Romania and soon to be sold in the UK for GBP 5,995 (EUR 7,468).

One of the presenters of the popular UK car show Top Gear, Richard Hammond, wrote in a recent article that the Dacia Sandero could give salespeople for other car manufacturers “nightmares” and that they “will have to have a serious look at their price lists.” Overall, Dacia's new Sandero got a big thumbs up for performance and value for money from Top Gear presenter. The Dacia Logan was the first new model produced by the company after the Renault takeover. The Logan is now in its eighth year of production and will be on sale in Romania and prices also start at EUR 6,990 for the entry model.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

photo sources: presidency.ro and dacia.ro