Online Extra: The Making of the Logan (Renault's $6000 Car)

MSN ^ | June 26, 2005

[nickcarraway]

Cars prices have accelerated steadily for the last decade, thanks to an increasing reliance on technology and ever-more luxurious interiors. Even a compact car can easily cost more than $20,000. Shifting into reverse, French auto maker Renault decided in 1998 to design a modern car with state-of-the-art safety features costing only 5,000 euros [$6,000]. Renault's strategy was to create a car for people in emerging markets who have never owned an automobile -- some 80% of the world's population.

But when the $6,000 Logan was unveiled last fall, it wowed West Europeans, too. This June, the much-in-demand Logan, which sells only in Eastern Europe and Russia, is finally arriving in showrooms in France, Germany, and Spain. Renault designer Kenneth Melville, a Scottish national who joined Renault from Mercedes-Benz (DCX), spoke with BusinessWeek Senior European Correspondent Gail Edmondson about the secret of making a quality car at a low price. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow:

Q: Is it true that the original design brief you were given for the Logan was a car that could hold, "four adults, a pig, a sink, and 100 kilos of potatoes"?

A: [Laughs] Our product-planning team did research on-site in Romania. And it's true that Romanians use their cars for everything, including the transport of pigs. Until now, they have had small, poorly designed cars -- there was a real need for a car that could transport a lot of goods. The product-planning brief was a value-for-money car with a lot of space. And it had to have the stately look of a sedan.

Q: How did you go about designing a car for 5,000 euros [$6,000]?

[RockinRight]

A $6000 Renault? What's it made of, 24k gold?

Another French "piéce de shiznit..."

[LRS]

What? They're recycling Dauphines?

[Tijeras_Slim]

Le Trabant.

[Fierce Allegiance]

[gridlock]

There is no reason a competent car company could not do this. It will be interesting to see if Renault can.

[Red Badger]

But can Logans Run?.........

[stevio]

[nickcarraway]

Only before they get to 30,000 miles.

[gridlock]

Looks like a nice enough car. For $6000 I would definitely give it a close look if it came to these shores.

[stevio]

I'm just a damn slow typist.

[mcg1969]

Ordinary, but not bad.

[gridlock]

...And they ride with pride...

[Fierce Allegiance]

You type stolen url's?

[hflynn]

But can Logans Run?.........

Run? Let us hope they roll.

[evets]

[Paradox]

Agreed, its a decent looking car, at least as good looking as the low end Hyundai, Daewoo, Scion, and others. I'd consider one. Last thing they want, though, is to become another Yugo..

[Roccus]

".....and they drove with pride."

[1Old Pro]

another Le Car? They were a big hit in the U.s. for a few months.

[Fierce Allegiance]

It doesn't look much different than about 80% of the cars on the U.S. Market. I would bet the EPA-compliant cost would be closer to $10,000.

[AbeKrieger]

[Red Badger]

Will we have to kill them at 30k miles?

[No.6]

Good one!

Well, I'm no fan of the French these days, but hey, good for Renault. The emerging countries are either going to be buying stuff like this or they'll be buying even-cruddier Chinese cheapo-cars, either of which will be an improvement over a Yugo.

[Paradox]

THERE IS NO SANCTUARY!

[handy old one]

3000 rpm red line???

[Ludicrous]

Certainly it will cost more in the US because the safety and emissions regulations will surely require retro-fitting and mandatory "options".

[Steve_Seattle]

I have a Toyota Corolla which my kids drive, while I'm not ashamed to be driving my 10-year old Geo Metro. So if this car became available here, I might give it a look. To me a car is transportation, not a status symbol or proof of my manhood.

[Ludicrous]

And another thing: I was driving a Renault when the timing belt went and the thingies in the engine got all jammed and broken. I had four 4 yr old boys in the thing on our way to the playground.
Not a good experience.

[Fierce Allegiance]

A "I know you love Renault" ping.

[oldfarmer]

30k would beat what I got out of my first (and last) Dodge Ram. The French ain't the only ones making disposable vehicles!

[truth_seeker]

Renault pulled the knickers of Nissan out of the fire.

[marine86297]

I would'nt drive a french car if you gave it to me for free, or for that matter, even if you paid me.

Besides I've heard that french cars only run in reverse.

[Steve_Seattle]

If I were car manufacturer, for the Third World market I'd build a car with a max speed of 40 mph, about half the weigh of a typical American car, and with a price tag of about $4,000-5,000.

[Lee'sGhost]

Engine, transmission, and differential slightly extra.

[Little Pig]

"Yugo" is a central-European word that means "Renault".

[Charles Martel]

But can Logans Run?.........

Heh... so that's where the idea for the "Check Engine Light" comes from...

[Red Badger]

I heard the Yugo was going to come back.........re-in-CAR-nated of course.....

[Cicero]

Historically, Renaults have terrible service records.

In principle, this sounds like a great idea, but I wouldn't buy a car from Renault on a bet, even aside from the fact that I refuse to buy anything French.

[Red Badger]

I coulda swore YUGO meant FIAT leftovers.......

[Red Badger]

Be careful driving around CAROUSELS.......

[MeanWestTexan]

That's not a bad looking car.

[Constitution Day]

Hmmm.
While I'd like to say the car looks like un pièce de merde, I have to admit it's not bad looking.

Great idea, too!
From a business standpoint it's a market niche that some company should be able to fill.

Damn! I feel like I need to go wash my keyboard after speaking well of the French!

[Fierce Allegiance]

You need the Iskin Keyboard Condom:

[Abathar]

"And another thing: I was driving a Renault when the timing belt went and the thingies in the engine got all jammed and broken. "

LOL! Thingies, I just love when women try and describe what they see under the hood.

[Constitution Day]

Heh. I think so too.

[HEY4QDEMS]

AFAIC it's not about the car, it's about the French.

I wouldn't care if it cost twenty bucks and got 100 MPG. There's no way I would spend a nickle on those arrogant f__kers.

[goldstategop]

Its looks like a stripped down Mark IV Volkswagen Jetta. The resemblance is uncanny but it stops there since Renault went back to the basics many automakers have forgotten - to build a simple, dependable car. That's what every one wants. In the end most people care more if the car runs and its inexpensive to maintain than about interior decoration. I do think the French automaker is onto something here.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Frank_Discussion]

Well, to be fair, if this happens to your car, you might as well call 'em thingies, 'cause they ain't valves no mo'!

[gridlock]

I once drove a Renault 4 for 100 miles through the African bush with a shoelace as an alternator belt. Sure things break, but they're easy to fix!

[Little Pig]

You are correct. Under certain circumstances, it has also been known to be translated "Peugeot" and "Citroen". When used in an electrical context, it also has British components.