The new generation Dacia Spring debuts in September: Production moved to Slovenia and target price below 18,000 euros
Dacia is preparing a major strategic shift for the most affordable electric vehicle in its portfolio. The second generation Dacia Spring will be officially unveiled in September, and production is leaving China for Europe, at the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia.
After a huge commercial success, with over 210,000 units sold on the continent since its debut in 2021, Dacia Spring is entering a new stage of maturity. Conceived at an alert pace, the new generation is ready to make its official appearance at the beginning of this autumn.
Moving to Europe: From China to Novo Mesto, Slovenia
The group's most important industrial decision is the relocation of assembly lines from China (the Wuhan plant) to Slovenia, at the Revoz plant in Novo Mesto. This plant has a long tradition in the Renault group and is becoming a hub for electric city vehicles, assembling alongside the Spring and the future Renault Twingo E-Tech.
The decision to repatriate production to Europe brings significant benefits:
- Avoiding customs tariffs: European production protects the model from additional duties imposed by the European Union on electric cars imported from China.
- Full eligibility for subsidies: In more and more European countries, eco-bonus schemes condition or favor vehicles assembled on the continent.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Designing and assembling closer to key markets reduces the environmental impact of shipping from Asia.
Development in record time: Only 16 months
The new model was developed by the group's electric vehicle division (Ampere) in a record time of just 16 months — a remarkable feat for the automotive industry, where a project developed from scratch typically takes between 3 and 4 years. By comparison, its future platform sibling, the Renault Twingo E-Tech, required a development period of 21 months.
Although it will share the technical architecture (AmpR Small platform) and major propulsion components with the new Twingo E-Tech, the new Dacia Spring will retain a design specific to the Mioveni brand and its practical philosophy: 4-seat interior and generous storage space for the A segment.
How much will the new Dacia Spring cost in Romania?
In an interview with the British publication Auto Express, Katrin Adt, Dacia CEO, confirmed that maintaining an unbeatable price remains the number one priority: the starting list price will be less than 18,000 euros.
"Our goal is to launch the new Spring at a starting price below 18,000 euros, maintaining Dacia's philosophy of offering an excellent price-performance ratio." — Katrin Adt, Dacia CEO
Price estimate for the Romanian market
| Configuration / Subsidy Scheme | Estimated Price (VAT included) |
| List price (without subsidies) | ~€17,500 – €17,900 |
| With Rabla Plus Scheme | ~€11,500 – €13,000 (depending on the eco-bonus value) |
By keeping the ex-factory price below the psychological threshold of EUR 18,000, Dacia Spring will retain its title as the cheapest electric car on the Romanian market and one of the most accessible gateways to zero-emission mobility in Europe.
What's next?
The official presentation in September will put an end to speculation and reveal full technical specifications, including WLTP final range, battery capacity and new equipment levels. Series production will start in Novo Mesto, and the two Spring generations will be sold in parallel for a short period to ensure a smooth transition to the market.
