All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Dacia Sandero is Europe’s No.1 new car in the first six months of 2024

In 2023, Dacia delivered more than 650,000 vehicles worldwide, of which 550,000 in Europe, with a record market share of 4.3 percent in the passenger vehicle segment. Their best-selling car was and still is the Dacia Sandero, which recorded a 16 percent increase in sales in the first six months of 2024.

Dacia has been recording sales growth for years and has become the leading brand of the Renault Group. In the first half of 2024, the Romanian manufacturer delivered 143,596 units of its best-selling car, the Sandero, making it the best-selling new car on the old continent. The second place went to the Volkswagen Golf, which was delivered in 125,993 units (+43 percent), while the third choice of European customers is the Renault Clio with 114,623 cars delivered (+15 percent).

This is an exceptional result for a Romanian brand that has a 4.4 percent market share in Europe, especially if we consider that it left behind much bigger manufacturers like Kia which delivered 282,444 cars (4.1% market share), Hyundai with 281,511 cars (4.1%), Opel with 233,601 cars (3.7%), Ford with 226,365 cars delivered (3.3%) or Citroen with 223,382 cars (3.2%).

In general, Dacia delivered a total of 305,713 cars in the six months of 2024, which is an increase of 3.6% compared to the same period last year. This puts them in the top 10 best car dealers in Europe.

Also, research has shown that Dacia has the most loyal customers. According to Dataforce, almost 80 percent of current Dacia customers in Germany would buy their car again. Also, indicators show that the percentage of their loyal customers is 20 percent above the average in the auto industry.

Source: Dacia

Auctions

1961 Porsche 356B Reutter is up for auction

Between 1960 and 1963, Porsche produced the second version of its first production car, the 356 B, built on the T5 body type. In 1962, it was replaced by the T6 body type, and almost 40,000 cars left the production line. One of them, the 1961 Porsche 356B Reutter is up for auction.

This example is finished in Aetna Blue, and is in good condition. It is equipped with a left mirror, 1600 Super badging, a single decklid grille, and body-colored bumpers with chrome overriders, integrated exhaust outlets, Koni shock absorbers, and four-wheel finned drum brakes. In 2010, the car was refurbished, which included repainting, replacing or refinishing various trim pieces and badges.

Inside, the front bucket seats and rear jump seats are trimmed in gray leather that also covers the door panels. There are also gray squareweave carpets covered with black Coco mats and rubber floor linings, while the ceiling is covered with a white headliner. In front of the driver is a wood-rimmed steering wheel and a five-digit odometer showing 84,765 miles (total mileage unknown). Additional equipment includes lap belts, map pockets, and a Blaupunkt push-button radio.

Under the bonnet is a rebuilt and modified replacement 1,720cc flat-four engine, and it should be noted that the current owner replaced Weber carburetors, fuel pump, starter, battery, and distributor as well as repairing the parking brake and various fuel leaks. The engine is paired with a four-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

This Porsche 356B comes with a tool kit, partial service records, and a California title.

The auction ends on July 23 and the highest bid at the time of writing was $89,000 USD.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Gallery:

1961 Porsche 356B Reutter is up for auction
News

2025 Genesis GV60 Magma

In March, South Korean brand Genesis unveiled a luxury concept that represents a milestone in the brand’s evolution, the GV60 Magma. Now the company has announced that production will start in 2025.

“We want a new unique combination of Korean premium feeling, which is quite unique and special, as well as European driving dynamics. We will not talk about numbers, because that is not the most important thing. However, Magma cars will not be slow,” said Director of Vehicle Development, Tyrone Johnson.

The GV60 Magma concept is wider and lower than the standard GV60 and is adorned with unique exterior details, adjustable suspension and thermodynamics. Inside, there are comfortable leather-trimmed seats with double diamond pattern stitching. It is equipped with the Magma Performance Program, which will eventually reach every model in the range.

Although it is Genesis’ answer to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and KIA EV6 GT, the company says it is a completely different car. “The Ioniq 5 N and the EV6 GT are categorically different cars, they have different characters, and that’s not just the result of the tuning, but also some hardware changes. Also, the Magma brings hardware changes,” said Tyrone Johnson.

Source: Genesis