Romanian Carmaker Dacia To Boost Duster Production To 460 Units/Day Until End-2010

Production conditions at Automobile Dacia cannot be changed until the end of the year, Dacia CEO Jerome Olive said Tuesday during the Mediafax Talks about Auto Industry conference in Bucharest. Olive also estimated that a little over 300,000 cars will be produced at Automobile Dacia in 2010, similar with last year's output.

Olive stressed that forecasts for the second half of the year are a bit more prudential, considering that local clunkers programs will come to an end in most European countries.

He also underscored that Duster currently accounts for one third of Automobile Dacia's total output, adding the output ratio will be further adjusted by demand.

Olive went on saying that Automobile Dacia's capacity to produce the new Duster model may very well change depending on demand.

Automobile Dacia estimates to sell 25,000 cars this year under the country's clunkers program, of which, the new Duster will account for 10% of total sales, Automobile Dacia vice-president Constantin Stroe said Tuesday.

Environment Minister Laszlo Borbely also said Tuesday that he hopes 55,000 cars will be bought this year via the clunkers program.

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc has recently said this year's clunkers program has met its target to uphold the local auto industry, given that Dacia cars accounted for more than half of cars sold under the program.

Dacia launched its low-cost SUV at the Geneva auto salon early March. The car has since been launched in Romania and prices range from EUR10,500 to EUR15,600.

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