Dacia's secrets to success: how it makes its cars so cheap
Every kilogram is managed, too. The reason the Bigster doesn't offer a seven-seat interior is because Dacia worked out only 25% of buyers in the segment consider them but the added weight would require strengthening for the rear axle, which would add expense across the range. Ergo the Bigster is a five-seater only, being ruthlessly focused on the main audience.
Which brings Le Vot to his second point: the importance of learning what the intended buyer really wants and then not straying beyond that kit level by so much as an additional USB-C port.
'We've been studying the Germans, I must confess,' he says, smirking. The Germans are the big market for cars like the Bigster. They're also fussy, which is crucial. If our German chums 'need' something in their C-SUV, you damn well better offer it. And if they don't, nobody else will want it and you're off the procurement hook.
'If the car doesn't have AC [air-con], then it's disqualified. But if I offer, whatever, electric seats for the front passenger or AC in the seats? No need: it's not disqualifying. So we have dual-zone AC [in the Bigster], which we've never had before, and we have two-tone paint and an electric tailgate. These are the things we will offer, and if we don't, they will say 'I'm not buying'. Hundreds of people. It's complicated; new territory for us.'
The final part of the equation is the supplier negotiations, where Le Vot's sojourns in hard-nosed Russia has fortified his resolve. By all accounts, this charismatic Frenchman and his accomplices in accounts are utter bastards.
Le Vot says: 'We define the car [at] €25k and the hybrid [at] €30k, then we split this price. It seems obvious, but most manufacturers don't do that.
"They design the car they want to have, then give the parts to suppliers, negotiating like hell to get the best price, but the best price is a surprise. When you expect €100, you get €110 more often than €95.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Express
12 minutes ago
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Under £195 a month for a high-spec SUV
Easy to drive; plush interior Hybrid power; more than 55mpg Just £193.62 a month With their higher driving position, easier entry, and (sometimes) greater levels of interior space, it's easy to see why many families favour SUVs over conventional hatchbacks. Throw in cheap lease deals and it's often game, set and match. Advertisement - Article continues below That's true with the MG ZS, which is one of the cheapest small SUVs available on lease right now. Lease Car UK is offering the ZS for a minuscule £193.62 a month after an initial payment of £2,671.44. It's a 48-month agreement with a 5,000-miles-a-year cap, but bumping this up to a more reasonable 8,000 miles a year will only cost an extra £13.66 a month. The latest ZS is a vast improvement on its predecessor, which really carried its value-for-money feeling with pride. It now has an interior that seems surprisingly plush at this price point, with a higher-quality feel than an equivalent Ford Puma. The tech is good, with the standard-fit 12.3-inch touchscreen being a real highlight. Even better, this deal is for the top-spec Trophy model, which adds a 360-degree parking camera, heated front seat and steering wheel, rear privacy glass, and smart 'leather-style' upholstery. The last ZS came in petrol and EV power, but the current car is hybrid-only (for now). With the petrol engine and electric motor combined there's 194bhp on offer, which gives the ZS some real get-up-and-go. Plus, economy of more than 55mpg is on the table. While a Ford Puma is far more fun through corners, the ZS has an easygoing character, which will be fine for most buyers. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Volkswagen ID.3 leasing offers from leading providers on our MG ZS hub page. Check out the MG ZS deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here …
The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
Rachel Reeves says ‘I was upset but today's a new day' after Commons tears
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was visibly upset during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, stating the next day it was a "personal issue" she would not elaborate on. Despite the emotional moment, Ms Reeves insisted she was "cracking on with the job" when she appeared publicly on Thursday to launch the NHS 10-year plan. 'People saw I was upset, but that was yesterday. Today's a new day,' she said. Keir Starmer publicly defended Ms Reeves, acknowledging he had not fully appreciated her distress during the fast-paced PMQs. The chancellor's emotional display, alongside a £5 billion deficit in spending plans, initially unsettled financial markets, though government bonds rallied and the pound steadied after reassurances about her position. While Labour colleagues defended her, some Conservatives criticised her public show of emotion, suggesting it was inappropriate for a senior leader.
Top Gear
28 minutes ago
- Top Gear
The new Alpine A290 Rallye is a £62k customer competition car
First Look No extra power to report, but there's upgraded running gear, racier suspension and a tweaked sound generator Skip 3 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Say hello to the Alpine A290 'Rallye'. It's the brand's first all-electric customer competition car, intended for both one-make events and open races, and will debut later this year. Though the running gear has been adapted for motorsport, the front-driven e-motor remains unchanged, maintaining a punchy 215bhp and 221lb ft of torque. Alpine has instead fettled with the ECU and revamped the monitoring systems, allowing the 52kWh battery to work more efficiently. Advertisement - Page continues below What's more, the Rallye will get a different sort of sound generator to the standard car, which tunes in with the driver's throttle inputs to make… noise. Precisely what sort of noise, we'll have to wait and see. Looks the part too, no? The body gets a roof scoop and a black bonnet with pins, finished up with a funky blue and white livery. Can't forget those 18in Evo Corse alloys either, painted in the customary shade of white and wrapped around a set of Michelin rubber. You might like Tucked behind those will be 350mm brake discs at the front and 280mm ones at the rear, hooked up to a race-bred ABS control unit. Elsewhere, the modified suspension is bolstered by ALP Racing shocks, while a ZF self-locking limited-slip diff is there to help around the twisty bits. Inside, the Rallye will get an FIA-grade welded roll cage and Sabelt bucket seats. Most important of all is the inclusion of a hydraulic handbrake - imperative for maximum slip and slide around a tight loose gravel stage. Advertisement - Page continues below Customers will have their first chance to compete at a single-race event later this year in France, where Alpine will provide technical support where needed. At certain fixtures, the manufacturer will even have its own paddock and dedicated charging infrastructure in place. Talk about getting your money's worth, eh? Money that sits in the region of €59,990 pre-VAT - or circa £62k on this side of the Chunnel. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
