Renault May Attempt U.S. Market Return

Renault has never had an easy time in the American market. In fact, it's been like the Ross Perot of carmakers; in the American market, out of the market, back in again. But now with the eye-pleasing and low cost Duster SUV, Renault is looking ready to take another entry again.

Renault's last U.S. attempt ended in 1987 with the fall of American Motors Corporation, and Chrysler buying that struggling company's assets so that it could acquire the Jeep brand. Renault had designed some new Eagle brand cars for little AMC, most of which Chrysler tried for a short time before dropping the Eagle brand to concentrate on the Jeep line.

To keep labor costs low, the Dacia Duster is built in Romania, but will eventually be sold as a Renault model throughout Europe and likely, North America as well. This gives the Dacia Duster a real price advantage in the marketplace. The SUV will also be produced in Moscow, Russia and other countries including Brazil and Mexico. With so much American auto production running of to Canada or Mexico to save on labor costs, Mexican production of the Duster might become a real option.

Part of the appeal of the Duster is not only the low price which is around $22,000 in Euros, but decent fuel mileage as well. The engines tend to have enough power as well as being eco-friendly.

Engines range from 85 to 11o horsepower, including a diesel version.

Will Americans be seeing the Renault brand again? It's real likely and the Duster might just be the first wave of cars from the French brand.