This video shows the French Formula One driver at the wheel of the new Dacia Duster crossover, rally driving the new car for its market debut. The Dacia Duster in the video has been designed for driving on ice and there’s plenty of sliding and drifting for the rev heads among you. The Dacia Duster is a low cost model based on the Nissan Qashqai and you can get a closer look of its style in this video.

Continue reading: Alain Prost drives Dacia Duster on ice

These two vehicles, the antithesis of each other, appeared alongside one another at the Fioravanti stand at Geneva. The only thing they have in common, is the colour. The LF1 displayed patriotic Italian colours, while the Tris city car is a slightly banal concept of a possible future low cost option for emerging markets. Like we said, complete opposites.

Fioravanti LF1 and Tris at Geneva

Continue reading: Fioravanti LF1 and Tris

Fiat had already decided to launch its low cost brand in emerging markets such as the South American market, but given the current economic crisis, the brand could be considered for the Eastern European market as well.

Sergio Marchionne has announced that three new models will be launched in 2010, which could offset sales problems in the current market. The Fiat low cost brand will be competition for products such as Dacia, which Renault successfully launched in Europe. Currently the new Fiat brand is without a name, with suggestions ranging between Innocenti and Autobianchi (neither in my opinion, would be a safe choice!), although something entirely new could come of the venture, including collaboration from tata.

Source | Automotive News

Continue reading: Fiat: low cost brand for Europe

The list continues its enrichment: we’re now on the seventh line, testimony to the low cost club of automobiles. After the Tata Nano and surrounding controversy, Renault-Nissan, General Motors and Bajaj (just to name a few), will be joined by Hyundai in the competition for Indian-Chinese markets. The company is proposing for 2011-2012 a micro-car at around 3,500 dollars.

The development of this car will have its origins in Hyderabad and Chennai, precincts of high density living. According to H.S Lheem, Hyundai manager for the Indian market, any additional cost compared to the Nano should be offset by additional features that the previous car doesn’t have.

Via | Motorauthority

Continue reading: Hyundai joins low cost race

2,500 dollars, or 1,620 euro, will be the cost of the first real challenge from Renault and Nissan, who have demonstrated their willingness to create a low cost car for developing countries, and backed up by the experience of Dacia Logan.

The model, expected in 2011 with a production of about 400,000 units, will be offered under a new brand emerging from the Renault-Nissan 50-50 joint venture, and the collaboration of Bajaj. To reduce costs the project, dubbed ULC, will be manufactured in the Indian base at Chakan.

Via | World Car Fans

Continue reading: Renault-Nissan and Bajaj prepare a 2.500 dollar car