Tag: Dacia

Dacia 7-Seater SUV Due Next Year With Hybrid Power?

With almost 29,000 units shipped last year in Europe, according to CarSalesBase, the Dacia Lodgy hasn’t been that popular, which is why the Romanian automaker has reportedly decided to pull the plug on it.

Discontinuing the minivan won’t leave a gap in the company’s lineup, though, as they are allegedly to replace it with a seven-seater SUV.

According to Largus’ sources, the RJI (internal codename) will be based on the CMF-B platform that’s shared with the new-gen Logan and Sandero, as well as the latest Renault Clio, Captur and Nissan Juke. In order to accommodate the two extra seats, it will reportedly have a longer wheelbase as well as a longer rear overhang.

Read Also: All-New 2021 Dacia Sandero And Logan Ditch Diesels, Become More Sophisticated Inside And Out

Power is expected to be supplied by the regular 1.0-liter TCe petrol engine, with 100 and 120 HP, and the 1.3-liter TCe, rated at 140 and 160 HP, with the latter possibly featuring a 12V mild-hybrid system. An LPG version of the smaller unit is understood to launch too, alongside the 1.6-liter E-Tech self-charging hybrid powertrain from the Clio, where it puts out 140 HP.

Safety gear such as the automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning and hill-start assist, alongside an electric parking brake, should be available.

While the Lodgy is assembled in Morocco for the European market, the new yet-to-be-named SUV, which will slot above the popular Duster, is said to be put together at Dacia’s plant in Pitesti, Romania. This should give the brand extra points with the unions, which are currently angry with Renault for making Europe’s cheapest EV, the Dacia Spring, in China.

The model will supposedly premiere at the end of next summer and enter production in October, while deliveries should begin in late 2021 or early 2022.

PHOTO GALLERY

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Note: Dacia Lodgy pictured

Renault’s Restructuring Plan Calls For 15,000 Layoffs Worldwide, 17.5% Lower Production Capacity

Yesterday Nissan revealed its restructuring plan and today it is Renault’s turn to do the same.

Renault Group’s main objective is to reduce fixed costs by more than €2 billion ($2.22 billion) over the next three years to restore its competitiveness and “ensure its long-term development within the framework of the Alliance.”

Achieving savings of this magnitude will be possible by reducing the workforce, the production output and the diversity of components within vehicles. More specifically, Renault plans to lay off just under 15,000 employees worldwide and reduce its production capacity to 3.3 million in 2024 from 4 million in 2019.

See Also: Renault, Nissan Outline New Alliance Strategy Focused On Deeper Cooperation

Renault plans a reconversion for the Dieppe plant after production of the Alpine A110 ends

The company said the workforce adjustment project would be based on retraining measures, internal mobility and voluntary departures. Spread over three years, it would concern nearly 4,600 posts in France and more than 10,000 other positions in the rest of the world. In France, the Renault Group will be organized around strategic business areas with a promising future: electric vehicles, LCVs, the circular economy and high value-added innovation.

At the heart of the Group’s recovery will be three major regional centers of excellence based in France. The Douai and Maubeuge plants will focus on EVs and LCVs, respectively, while the Flins and Guyancourt facilities will be reorganized. As for the Dieppe plant, home to the Alpine A110, Renault plans a reconversion after production of the sports car ends. Sadly, this likely means the mid-engined A110 will not have a successor. The carmaker will also launch a strategic review regarding the Fonderie de Bretagne plant.

The company also said it would suspend planned capacity increases in Romania and Morocco, as well as adapt its production capacities in Russia.

Plans to expand production capacity at the Dacia plants in Mioveni, Romania and Tangiers, Morocco have been suspended

On the product side of things, Renault plans to improve efficiency and reduce engineering costs by leveraging the assets of the Alliance. The company will reduce component diversity, increase standardization and pursue Leader – Follower programs within the Alliance.

It will also concentrate the development of strategic technologies with high added value in the engineering sites of Île-de-France (the region surrounding Paris). This involves the optimization of the use R&D centers abroad and subcontracting.

According to Renault, the estimated cost of implementing the transformation plan is around €1.2 billion ($1.33 billion). Renault is offering further details on its transformation plan during a live press conference this morning you can watch at this link.

The Flins plant near Paris could switch from building cars to recycling activities