Global sales of Dacia advance by over 24 percent at six months in 2014

Dacia sales recorded a growth of 24.3 percent in the first half of the year driving the overall improvement posted by Renault Group whose global sales went up by 4.7 percent year-on-year, although sales outside Europe have seen a decline. The Romanian brand sales increased on both LCV (light commercial vehicles) and PC (passenger cars) segments, so that the total units sold within January 1 and June 30, 2014 came to about 263,000, whereas in the same period last year Dacia sold 211,600 cars.

The major growth registered by Dacia brand sales had a positive outcome on its market share which grew by 0.5 points to 2.6 percent, becoming the fastest growing brand in the Europe, as Jerome Stoll Chief Performance Officer and Executive Vice-President, Sales and Marketing Renault said according to a press release: “In the first half of 2014, Renault brand sales in Europe were up, thanks to Clio and Captur. Dacia is the fastest growing brand in the Region. As a result, Renault is able to diminish the impact of the decline in our main emerging markets and to maintain the Group's positive momentum”.

In France, the second largest European market after Romania, Dacia increased its market share by 1.1 points to 5.3 percent, being established in fifth position (fourth for sales to individuals) with an upsurge in Sandero and Duster sales which advanced by more than 30 percent and 58 percent, respectively, compared to the first semester in 2013.

In spite of some declining markets, the 4.7 percent growth of Renault group sales exceeded the growth rate of the global automotive market which was 3.8 percent at six month. European sales fueled in fact the group’s progress, the 18 percent increase offsetting the downturn in its main emerging markets where sales went down by 9 percent.

France, Russia and Brazil remain the top 3 group markets, while Portugal, the United Kingdom and Ireland are the markets where Renault recorded the most substantial growth with increase ranging from 52 to 68 percent.