Dacia ponders Ami competitor to tap into sub-A-segment market

30 June 2023

Dacia considers making a Citroen Ami-styled quadricycle EV to tap into the fresh and potential sub-A-segment.

Design boss David Durand admitted as much in an interview with Autocar, arguing there's a place for tiny EVs in congested city centers because public transport isn't for everyone, nor are bicycles, which can be dangerous because of their two wheels.

Dacia uses parent company Renault's CMF-B architecture for the majority of its EVs and the smaller CMF-AEV platform for the Dacia Spring but it's not yet clear whether that platform can shrink enough to accommodate an Ami-esque vehicle.

Dacia did show off the Manifesto, which could be the vision for just such a city-center-friendly unit. It lacks the typical car equipment like air conditioning, power steering, and advanced driver aids and features easily replaceable body panels, a single headlight cluster, and phone-based infotainment.

On the other hand, Renault's mobility brand Mobilize just announced the Duo, which reminds of the old Twizzy EV. It could also be the basis for a cheaper Dacia counterpart.

However, Durand says that governments aren't doing enough to incentivize the purchase of such quadricycle-based EVs just yet. He points to Japan's "kei car" classifications as the way forward.

Source