Renault’s UK network will be given the opportunity to add Dacia as a bolt on value brand when the five-door Sandero hatchback arrives early next year.

Sourced from Romania or Brazil, the Dacia Sandero is likely to be priced below £8,000 and, at just over four metres long, fits between the Clio III and Megane.

It is based on the Clio II platform with a 1.5-litre 85PS dCi diesel version likely to offer a sub 120gm/km CO2 plus a 1.6-litre petrol engine.

Due to be announced at the Geneva show, Dacia’s introduction swells the ranks of value brands in Britain as Renault’s answer to the South Korean importers and Chevrolet, sourced mainly from Korea.

It will be marketed as more car for less money, with a 320-litre luggage capacity. Other models will join the line-up, but the Logan saloon will not be offered in the UK although Renault market analysts are considering the seven-seater MCV estate car, a pick-up and van.

Cost-effective development and production processes plus keen wage rates underpinned the original Logan world car concept’s target price of E5,000 (£3,700). European safety and equipment requirements dictated a French entry price for a 1.6-litre Logan saloon at E7,600 or £5,700.