Dacia, a success story since 1968 with six logos marking the way

Today we all know Dacia, the Romanian car brand offering reliable and affordable vehicles, from a compact that has led the best-seller rankings for many years to the most affordable functional SUV. Dacia was born in Romania and became part of the Renault group in 1999, giving the brand a new life that has made it one of the most recognized in Europe.

In 1968, the company UAP (Uzina de Autoturisme Pitesti), or Pitesti Automobile Factory was founded. The city is located on the banks of the Argeș River, in the region of the same name, and the company’s headquarters remain there to this day. Later it took the name Dacia, which is the name the Romans gave to what is now Romania, and under that name it began to gain popularity in its home country.

The journey to the present day begins

In 1980, the name Dacia first appeared on a shield designed in black and white. When Renault acquired the brand at the end of the 20th century, the logo changed from black to blue, keeping the shield design, but modernizing and updating its shape. The new logo appeared on the grille of the Dacia Logan, which began to be sold in 2004.

With this logo, the brand became known in European markets, which welcomed the Dacia Logan enthusiastically and placed it at the front of the market. With the arrival of the Dacia Sandero in 2008, the logo changed again. The shield was widened and turned grey, with the letters embossed in the centre.

This logo remained in use until 2021, when it was replaced by the current one, which focuses on the brand name. This new logo is called the Dacia Link and is functional and minimalist, showcasing and emphasising the spirit of the brand.

From Romania to the whole world

The Dacia Logan, the model with which the brand first became known internationally, was initially intended for the Romanian market and certain Eastern European countries. Its success in these markets led the company to try its luck in other European countries. Today, Dacia models reach 44 countries.

Romania, its country of origin, is among the brand’s leading markets, but France is where the most Dacia models are sold. Italy is the second market. Spain is also one of the markets where the Romanian brand’s cars sell best.

During 2022, Dacia achieved a market share of 7.6% in the private-customer sales segment, an increase of 1.4% over the previous year. Since 2017, the Sandero has been the best-selling car in the private channel in Spain, while the Duster remains the second-best-selling model in the same channel.

Dacia models on the market

In 2023, the vehicles that make up the Dacia range are the Dacia Spring, a small electric city car; the compact Dacia Sandero, along with the more adventurous Stepway version; the Duster SUV; and the seven-seat family vehicle, the Jogger. In total, the brand has reached a figure of eight million vehicles sold across several countries.

Dacia has three production plants: the original one in Pitesti, where the Logan, Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Duster and Jogger are manufactured. The second is located in Casablanca, Morocco, where the Logan, Sandero and Sandero Stepway models are produced. The third plant is in Tangier and is responsible for manufacturing the Logan, Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Lodgy.