Here’s why Dacia cannot liquidate its old Dusters

The new Duster has arrived, and its ultra-aggressive pricing leaves no doubt about its success. But what to do with the old models?

Born in 2010 and refreshed in 2017, the Duster has given a new youthful and trendy dimension to Dacia and has established itself by breaking the traditional codes of the SUV market. A perfectly balanced formula, mixing a nice look, far from the austere lines of the Sandero, more than acceptable features, and above all, a price that defies all competition. The Duster is a model that, in its 13 years of existence, has been produced in over 2.4 million units. With steadily growing sales, the Duster was the best-selling SUV in Europe in 2022, across all segments, in the private market. Nearly 1,000 Dusters roll off the production lines of the Dacia factory in Romania every day, which is about one vehicle every minute!

So when a new model arrives and is unanimously recognized as the worthy successor to its predecessor, dealers rub their hands together and hurry to clear their stocks to make room for the new arrivals. But they face a historical peculiarity of Dacia. The brand refuses to accustom its customers to any form of promotion whatsoever. It’s simple, apart from Ferrari, we do not know any manufacturer that is as reluctant to discounts and other promotions. Offering a set of floor mats or a few goodies, why not, but lowering the price of a model to facilitate a sale, never!

There are three methods. The good, the bad, and Dacia’s

For proof, a quick look at the Dacia France website dedicated to new vehicles is perplexing. This morning, 254 old Dusters are offered starting at 19,250 euros, and apart from a few management models, you will not find any old Duster discounted. If you want a new model, you will need to cough up 19,690 euros. And yes, only 440 euros difference between a model that is over 10 years old and one that is only a few weeks old. It’s just crazy…

One can imagine a dealer trying to explain this to a customer who came in asking for a quote on an old model, convinced there’s a good deal to be had. Selling cars is not an easy job every day. So let’s bet that these models will likely end up in an emerging country where they will have a very successful career, because in France they are weighted down.

On the other hand, the message from Dacia is clear and straightforward. Do you want a Duster? Buy the new one, it’s much better and not more expensive. At least a manufacturer that doesn’t lie to you.

ALSO READ: Beyond the price, these tricks make the Dacia Duster a success