Solenza is the first car model in an extensive renewal of Romanian car maker Dacia’s line-up.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The Solenza is built at Dacia’s Pitesti plant and will be released on the Romanian market in mid-April 2003. As well as widening Dacia’s lead on the Romanian market (close to 50% in 2002, with 52,742 units), Solenza will also help Dacia develop export markets in North Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.
This is the first Dacia model to feature the brand’s new styling. The top version comes with power steering, electronic engine immobiliser, front power windows, air conditioning, and sound system with CD player and four speakers.
The Solenza is powered by a Renault 75bhp 1.4 litre engine coupled to a Renault five speed manual gearbox. It features pseudo-MacPherson front suspension and an H-type flexible rear suspension, giving a very good trade-off between ride comfort and roadholding.
The Solenza is claimed to reap full benefit from a wide-reaching €40 million investment programme, under Renault group strategy targeting effective coverage of new high-growth markets over the next ten years. On joining the Renault group in 1999, Dacia initiated a long-term transformation process aimed at developing an integrated low cost manufacturing base. By 2004, Dacia will have invested €356 million on progressive upgrade of its industrial facilities and sales network.
Modernisation over the last three years has been company-wide, with a total quality programme covering all engineering and manufacturing functions, and gradual development of Renault organizational practice (cross-functional work groups and basic work teams).
In addition, Dacia’s supplier network has been restructured, for maximum local content and improved supply logistics. And work is well under way on reorganising dealer network and aftersales service functions.
