Renault Logan

Logan is a low-cost automobile produced by Renault and Dacia. It is based on the Renault-Nissan small car platform also used by the Nissan Micra and the 3rd-generation Renault Clio. It was launched in 2004 as the Dacia Logan and will also be sold as a Renault Logan in Russia and other markets.

The car replaces many older cars in production, including Iran's Hillman Hunter-based Paykan and the Romanian Renault 12-based Dacia range. Production is initially of a 4 door sedan, although wagon and pickup versions are due to follow. Initial production is in Romania, but the car will also be built in Russia, Iran, Colombia, Morocco, and India. The Logan is vital to increasing sales of the Renault group to the 4 million mark by 2010.

During a visit to Russia by French President Jacques Chirac, Louis Schweitzer noted that at Lada and Renault dealerships the €6,000 Ladas were selling like hot cakes, while the €12,000 Renaults stayed in the showroom. "Seeing those antiquated cars, I found it unacceptable that technical progress should stop you making a good car for €6,000." (He later revised this target to €5,000).

"I also drew up a list of specifications in three words – modern, reliable and affordable – and added that everything else was negotiable" (Louis Schweitzer).

Like many of its predecessors, the Logan has many simplified features to decrease cost.

• There are a limited number of electronic devices in the car.
• Rear-view mirrors are symmetrical and can be used on either the driver or passenger side.
• The windshield is flat.
• The dashboard is a single injection-molded piece.

It has 50% fewer parts than a high-end Renault vehicle. In addition to making the car less costly to produce, this also makes it easier and cheaper to repair.

A more expensive version of the car has also been made available in Western Europe and has sold fairly briskly.

References

• Gail Edmondson and Constance Faivre. Got 5,000 Euros? Need A New Car? BusinessWeek, July 4, 2005.