◾Dacia voted number two in 2016 Auto Express Driver Power Dealer Aftersales Satisfaction survey

◾Eleven place rise from 13th in 2015 for Dacia in UK's leading dealer satisfaction survey

◾Dacia ranked ahead of many more established and premium brands

◾Impressive survey results from Groupe Renault UK – Renault rated number one

Dacia has been voted number two in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power Dealer Aftersales Satisfaction survey, proving that you can have incredible value-for-money and an outstanding ownership experience – ahead even of many luxury and premium brands.

The 'shockingly affordable' brand recorded a score of 93.7 per cent overall satisfaction from customers and rises up eleven places from its 13th ranking in 2015.

The brand, known for its value-for-money range, made its debut in the leading dealer survey in 2014 and since then has improved each year. The results in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power Dealer After Sales Satisfaction survey complement Dacia's ranking in the publication's earlier vehicle ownership survey, where it finished in fourth overall, out of 31 marques, with the Logan MCV estate topping the Family Car category.

Brian Walters, Director, Research and Insights at Driver Powersaid: 'Dacia, like its sister brand Renault, improved in all six of the dealer-related attributes, most dramatically in keeping its customers informed on progress and cost of work and the technical knowledge of its workshop employees. Dacia continues to offer the highest rated franchised dealer aftersales experience when it comes to value for money.'

Mark Crockett, Director of Total Customer Experience, Groupe Renault UK, commented: 'Dacia's vast improvement over last year shows how the brand has really struck a chord with customers by sticking to its core values of no-nonsense motoring, affordability and value for money. It's gratifying to see that owners are not only happy with their vehicle but also with the service at Dacia dealerships, too.

'Dacia's unrivalled value for money in the UK complements its top quality customer service throughout the car's lifespan which will continue as the brand grows.'

The result is partly attributed to the redefinition of the Groupe Renault UK Services and Quality division in early 2016 to two new departments: Total Customer Experience (TCE) and After Sales. TCE supports a further emphasis on customer experience and performance and demonstrates the brand's collective commitment to positively driving customer experience throughout the business and its dealer network. The TCE team is now also complemented by a new Customer Journey team in order to deliver the best possible Renault experience to customers, whilst After Sales now has a renewed focus on the commercial operations of parts, accessories, options and services functions.

The Dacia brand is no stranger to winning awards with Auto Express Driver Power placing Dacia in its top five best manufacturers for three consecutive years – out of 32 brands featured in the 2016 survey, with customers in particular praising the brand's reliability. Most recently, Dacia was ranked fourth out of 34 brands for customer satisfaction with a 90 per cent satisfaction score in the 2016 Which? Car survey. Since launching in the UK in just over three years ago, Dacia has won numerous awards, including What Car?'s 'Best Small Car under £12,000' for four consecutive years for the Sandero.

The Dacia range comprises of the Sandero five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the most affordable new car on sale in the UK today. The Sandero Stepway is the UK's most affordable crossover – priced from £8,495. It combines hatchback practicality with SUV looks and is available in two trim levels with a choice of a petrol or diesel engine. The versatile Dacia Logan MCV is available in three trim levels and comes with a choice of three engines, including a diesel option that returns up to 80.7mpg (NEDC combined cycle). The Logan MCV is priced from £6,995 OTR. The multiple award-winning Duster is the most affordable SUV on the UK market today – priced from £9,495. Duster is available in a choice of three trim levels, with 1.6-litre petrol or 1.5-litre dCi diesel engines and in 4x2 or 4x4 set-ups.

In the ten years since relaunching in Europe, Dacia has sold more than four million vehicles in Europe. Over 78,000 Dacia models have been sold in the UK since its launch in January 2013.

The Dacia brand in the UK has been growing exponentially since launching in January 2013. Dacia has recently been voted the fourth best brand out of 31 in the Auto Express Driver Power 2016 Awards, improving on its impressive fifth place finish in last year's survey. With a satisfaction score of 90.4 per cent overall, Dacia has featured in the top five best manufacturers for three consecutive years. The capacious Logan MCV also topped the overall category for Best Family Car in 2016.

The brand was also ranked as the fourth most reliable car brand out of 34 manufacturers in the 2016 Which? Car Survey – the largest of its type in the UK – outperforming many well-established and premium brands and receiving a 90% satisfaction score from customers completing the 2016 car brand reliability survey. The Dacia Duster was voted third Best Compact SUV by Which? readers for ownership satisfaction. The Dacia Sandero received a Which? four-star reliability rating from owners with the Dacia Logan MCV also receiving a Which? four-star reliability rating.

About Dacia

Dacia has a long history associated with Renault, the French brand first working with Dacia plants in Romania in the 1960s, before acquiring them fully in 1999. The brand concept is simple: to shake up preconceived ideas. Dacia produces spacious, robust, high-quality vehicles of original design that are affordable for everybody.

Dacia vehicles offer exceptional value for money. Reliable and resistant, they embody the best of Renault expertise. Relaunched by parent company Groupe Renault in 2004, the Dacia range has been expanding constantly and buyers have a wide array of vehicles to choose from, ranging from Dacia Duster, a sporty all-terrain vehicle, to light commercial vehicles or family vehicles such as the Dacia Sandero and Dacia Logan MCV. The concept continues to enjoy great success with over 4 million Dacias sold in Europe since the brand's revival in 2004.

Dacia launched in the UK in January 2013 and enjoyed the most successful start ever for a new car brand in the UK. Dacia was rated 4th best car manufacturer for ownership satisfaction in the 2016 Which? Car Guide – out of 34 rivals including many luxury brands. Auto Express Driver Power, one of the UK's largest automotive owner satisfaction studies, has placed Dacia in its top five best manufacturers for three consecutive years – out of 32 brands featured in the 2016 survey, with customers in particular praising the brand's reliability. The Dacia Sandero has been awarded the title of 'Best Small Car under £12,000' by What Car? for four consecutive years (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013). The Dacia Duster was named TopGear magazine's 'Bargain of the Year 2012' at launch. Over 78,000 Dacia vehicles have been sold in the UK to date.

About Driver Power

Driver Power is the largest car satisfaction survey undertaken in the UK, tapping into the vast audience of the Dennis Motoring portfolio to give the very best knowledge and insight into the market place.

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