Dacia Duster and Niagara could come to Australia
There is good news for car buyers as a cheap European maker could be selling its vehicles Down Under very soon, including an SUV and a ute.
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A new range of budget focused machines could be headed to Australia.
Renault Australia boss Glen Sealey said the company wanted to bring Dacia models to Australia.
Dacia is a cut-price offshoot of Renault in Europe, but the cars would wear Renault badges in Australia.
The new models on Renault Australia’s wish list include the Duster small SUV and the Niagara ute.
“We see good opportunities for some of the Dacia products in Australia, particularly the Duster,” said Sealey.
“We’ve been working with Renault on that for some time and with the all-new Duster that will be revealed soon, we hope to have that vehicle in the market when it’s available.”
Sealey said the Duster has been confirmed for right-hand drive and the local operation was keen to bring it to Australia, although nothing was definite. If it was to become available, the new Duster could land in local showrooms next year.
Renault Australia is also very keen on the Dacia Niagara ute concept.
Renault revealed the bold looking workhorse concept late in 2023. It’s smaller than dual-cab utes such as the Ford Ranger and will come with hybrid power.
“We will be very interested in the Niagara concept,” said Sealey.
“There needs to be a production car rolling off the line first and then it comes to doing the study to ensure right-hand drive and then Australia.”
Sealey said they’ve expressed their interest to head office and have been told to “get in line”.
“It’s a popular concept and it’s particularly popular among what I would call emerging markets,” he said.
Sealey also poured cold water on any hope for the larger Renault Alaskan dual-cab ute arriving Down Under.
The Alaskan is based on the Nissan Navara but has a Renault styled shell on top.
“There are plenty of examples littered in the Australian market where you bring in a virtual copy of another brand’s car and all you do is change the logo … It doesn’t work, so why would we do that,” said Sealey.
The Renault Niagara concept heralds the next international models that Renault will launch by 2027.
It will be built on a new modular platform that will spawn a range of new vehicles.
The new Duster will share its underpinnings with the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.
Power comes from a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo engine that makes 96kW and it comes with either two- or all-wheel drive.
Dacia manages to keep the price down by stripping out infotainment and safety tech.
Originally published as Dacia Duster and Niagara could come to Australia
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