The Dacia Duster is a global success. A central pillar on which the Dacia range in Europe and Renault in emerging markets is based. The iconic cheap SUV has reached the milestone of 2 million units sold. An ideal moment to look back and review the decisive keys that have allowed the Duster to reap great popularity.
Dacia can boast of having in its portfolio one of the most popular SUVs globally. The Dacia Duster is a success no palliative. A model that, despite its status as a low-cost vehicle, reaps extraordinary sales figures. In the convulsive 2021 marked by the stock crisis at dealerships, it was the fifth best-selling SUV in Europe, reaching 145,753 units. It is a benchmark SUV in its competitive category.
2022 a year remembered in the history of the Duster for the milestone achieved. Duster sales have reached 2 million units. A volume obtained in about 60 countries. Taking advantage of the important mark that the Dacia model has obtained, it is an ideal moment to look back and review some of the keys that have been decisive in the global success of the Romanian SUV.
Spain is one of the main markets for the Dacia Duster
The production of the Dacia SUV takes place in the facilities that the brand has in Mioveni (Romania). Every 63 seconds a copy of the Duster leaves the assembly line. More than 1,000 units per day. Putting the spotlight on Europe, there are some curious facts that show how the performance of this model is in the Old Continent:
- Among all markets, the UK has a higher percentage of women buying a Duster compared to men.
- In Turkey buyers have the lowest average age with 42 years on average. In addition, more than half of the buyers are families. 62% of owners live with children.
- France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy are the main European markets for the Duster.
- The main reasons buyers choose the Duster are its price (56%), its design (20%) and its loyalty (16%).
The origin of the Dacia Duster: looking for a reliable and versatile 4×4
The first generation of the Duster was codenamed H79. The task entrusted to the design team was clear, bring to life a reliable and versatile 4×4 vehicle. Starting from a blank sheet of paper, all the machinery was set in motion to create a vehicle that, according to Dacia, did not exist on the market. An ideal model for citizens of cold and warm regions. All this at an unbeatable price.
The design process was just one of many challenges Dacia faced. The tuning of the chassis as well as the mechanical section was another key. A clear example is the six-speed manual gearbox. A transmission that offers a very short first gear to be able to have a kind of reducer, which gives it an exceptional thrust allowing the Duster to approach the behavior of a classic off-roader.
The sales figures for the Duster 1 were truly fantastic. However, the second generation, launched in the 2017 year, far exceeded the established records. The aesthetic and technological evolution that the model has undergone throughout its two generations and different “facelifts” has been very important. Despite this, it has always remained faithful to its origins.