Dacia is navigating a challenging start to the year, with sales declining 29% through the first two months of 2026, totaling 68,494 units. The Sandero model alone experienced a drop of over 17,000 units compared to the same period last year. The downturn impacted nearly all models, including the Spring electric vehicle manufactured in China, which saw a 65% decrease in sales.
Meanwhile, Chinese automakers nearly doubled their European sales in February to 78,962 units, securing an 8% market share. Although Dacia’s Sandero family has, until now, been largely unaffected by the influx of Chinese brands—which have primarily focused on larger models—that dynamic appears to be shifting. The Leapmotor T03 has emerged as a direct competitor to the Spring, becoming the fourth best-selling electric vehicle in Europe in February, aided by Italian government subsidies that brought the T03’s price down to €4,900 (approximately 1.9 million Hungarian Forints). Competition is also increasing in the Sandero’s segment, with brands like MG offering the MG3, and established European and Korean manufacturers lowering prices on their offerings.
In the larger vehicle segment, Dacia’s price advantage is diminishing. The Bigster, starting at 9.2 million Hungarian Forints, faces competition from models like the MG HS and Tiggo 7, which can be purchased for under 10 million Forints with more extensive features and a four-cylinder engine. This shift reflects a broader strategy for Dacia: to move into segments where customers are willing to pay a premium, driven by stricter emissions standards and competition from Chinese manufacturers.
“The more we move into Northern Europe, the more critical the C-segment becomes,” said Katrin Adt, CEO of Dacia, during the presentation of the Renault Group’s mid-term strategy. “However, in this segment, there are more fleet customers. As we have previously focused on private individuals, we are now targeting a recent customer base.” Dacia unveiled its latest model in the compact segment in March, the Striker, a crossover-style station wagon, as part of its new offensive targeting both retail and fleet buyers.
