Car that became running Top Gear gag is Europe’s most popular – & UK’s cheapest

A LITTLE hatchback that famously became a running gag for Top Gear legend James May has been crowned Europe’s most popular motor.

The title is “good news” for fans of the model, which can be picked up brand new for under £15,000.

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The Dacia Sandero found fame during the height of Top Gear’s popularity.

It was frequently mentioned during “the news” – a segment where presenters Clarkson, Hammond and May rounded up the latest events in the car industry.

Any word of the model being renewed was announced by May with a trademark cry of “good news”.

Likewise, the report that the debut version had been delayed in 2008 was met with a shout of “bad news”.

Indeed, the latter also gave rise to a viral moment as, in reaction to May’s despair, Clarkson quipped back:”Oh no…anyway.”

However, it seems that, despite the trio leaving Top Gear in 2015, the Sandero is just hitting its stride in terms of popularity.

It has just claimed the crown as Europe’s most popular car, bumping the iconic VW Golf down into second place.

Dacia is the only Romanian firm on a list dominated by French, German and American motors.

Its flagship model sold 143,596 units across the continent in the first six months of 2024 – up 16% on the same time last year.

The Golf was just behind with 125,993 while the Renault Clio rounded out the top three at 114,623.

The big loser on the list was the Tesla Model Y, sales of which fell by 26%, dropping it from top spot to eighth, though it did remain the best-selling EV by some margin.

The Sandero’s popularity may be something to do with the fact that is the cheapest new car currently available in the UK.

It starts from just £13,795, which is around £4,000 cheaper than the average price of a second-hand car in this country.

And Dacia keeps the hits coming, with the Sandero’s sister car, the Spring, clocking in at just £14,995.

A spokesperson for Dacia said: “The Dacia Sandero is officially Europe’s best-selling new car.

“Since it was first introduced in 2008, more than 3.1 million Sandero have been sold, proving that Dacia’s formula of offering all the essentials in a modern, robust and affordable package is continuing to find favour with a growing number of customers.

“Despite its position as the UK’s best value new car, starting from only £13,795 on-the-road, the Dacia Sandero comes generously equipped with air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, electric front windows, a comprehensive range of passive and active safety aids, and Dacia’s clever Media Control that places the smartphone at the heart of the infotainment system.”

It comes after it was announced that the world’s second largest EV brand would be launching three new models in the UK next year.

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