Renault’s low-cost car brand Dacia has decided to introduce a new and larger version of its popular Spring electric car as part of its efforts to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle market. This time, however, the vehicle will be manufactured in Europe instead of being imported from China.
According to Dacia, around 210,000 Spring vehicles have been sold since the model was launched in 2021. However, the company has been unable to fully benefit from the growing popularity of electric vehicles in France, its largest market, because the country’s subsidy programme for low-income buyers does not cover electric cars manufactured in China.
The new Spring will be built on the same platform as the Renault Twingo and a corresponding Nissan model. Production will take place at Renault’s plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.
The new model will be 18 centimetres longer than the current Spring, while its design has been given a more robust and modern appearance to attract a wider range of customers.
Manufacturing the vehicle in Europe will make the new Spring eligible for subsidies available to vehicles produced in Europe. It will also allow the car to avoid the additional tariffs imposed by the European Union on electric vehicles manufactured in China.
Dacia said the new Spring will have a starting price of €17,900. The company plans to maintain its traditional “low-cost and simple” approach, with the vehicle available in just four colours and two trim levels.
Dacia said demand for electric vehicles in Europe has increased significantly. The company, which has long focused heavily on petrol and other conventional-engine vehicles to keep prices low, now plans to expand its range of electric vehicles alongside hybrid models.
The company aims to launch four electric models by 2030, with the new Spring expected to be the first major step towards achieving that goal.