Dacia to Double Duster Output in 2011

The first worthy-of-the-name SUV from Romania, the Duster, is not failing its creators, Dacia. The success of the model, anticipated as it was, will soon prompt the Mioveni-based manufacturer into doubling the output of the model, mostly on account of orders from foreign markets.

Currently, Dacia's assembly lines spit out 20 units of the model each day. Apparently, that number is far beneath the requirements, as Dacia plans, according to Romanian publication Ziarul Financiar, to bring that number up to 35 units a day starting January 2011.

The increase in output will however not be easy, as Dacia is looking into ways to allow its suppliers to cope with the high demand. To that end, production will at first be increased to 25 units a day this October. By doing so, Dacia is trying to keep the waiting period to some six months, as it currently is.

Presented at this year's Geneva Auto Show, the Duster managed in a short period of time (four months) to gather 35,500 orders to its name, of which only 12,000 units have been delivered to buyers.

The Duster is being offered with a choice of three engines for both 4x2 and 4x4 versions: one petrol engine (1.6 16V 110hp) and two diesel engines (dCi 85 and dCi 110). Pricing for the model starts at 11,900 Euros for the two-wheel drive version and at 13,900 Euros for the 4x4 version.

Curious as we were, we took one of these low-cost SUV-wonders for a spin last month, to see what is it about it that appeals so much (aside for the price, of course). What we found can be read in the test drive available here.