DACIA CELEBRATES BIGSTER PRODUCTION MILESTONE

Dacia’s decision to enter the compact crossover segment is already paying off. European industry reporting says Dacia’s Mioveni plant in Romania has built its 100,000th Bigster about a year after series production began. That rapid start helped the model become one of the brand’s biggest recent successes and a strong contender in one of Europe’s most competitive vehicle categories.

After establishing itself with highly successful budget-friendly models such as the Logan and Sandero, Dacia began expanding beyond small cars. The Jogger marked the company’s first serious move into a larger segment, offering three rows of seating at an unusually accessible price point. Its success encouraged the brand to push further into the compact SUV market, where profit margins and demand are significantly higher.

A Strategic Move Into the Compact SUV Segment

The Bigster nameplate was first previewed by the Bigster Concept in 2021, with the production model unveiled in October 2024 and launched in 2025 to compete in the heart of the European compact crossover market. Early demand confirmed that the strategy was working. Reaching 100,000 units produced in roughly a year highlights how quickly the model gained traction with buyers.

Demand was strong from the start. Dacia has said it recorded more than 55,000 orders across Europe, with more than 40,000 registrations by the end of September 2025, reinforcing the brand’s expansion strategy in the compact SUV market.

Hybrid Power and Practical Equipment

In the UK, many customers have chosen the full hybrid version, which produces a combined 155 hp. That model starts at £28,190 in the UK, which is about $38,650, reflecting growing consumer interest in electrified powertrains even in value-oriented segments. The hybrid version is available with front-wheel drive, which has not significantly affected demand.

One of the most popular trims is the mid-level Journey package, which delivers many of the features buyers expect in a modern family SUV. Equipment includes heated seats and steering wheel, a power tailgate, automatic high beam assist, wireless phone charging, a 10-inch infotainment display, and a digital instrument cluster of the same size.

Value Focus Remains the Core Strategy

Dacia’s formula remains straightforward. Offer interior space and practicality comparable to larger vehicles while maintaining strict cost control. One of the key ways the company achieves this is through platform sharing across multiple models.

The Bigster is built on the Renault Group’s CMF-B architecture, which also underpins smaller Dacia vehicles, including the Duster. Using a proven platform helps keep development and production costs low while allowing the brand to move into higher segments.

Recognition and Market Impact

The Bigster’s success has not gone unnoticed. The Bigster has already picked up major recognition, including winning the Budget category in the German Car of the Year 2026 awards.

With production continuing to ramp up and demand remaining strong, the Bigster represents an important step in Dacia’s evolution from a budget-focused small car brand into a broader player in mainstream SUV segments.

This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.

2026-02-09T21:35:42Z