RENAULT has launched a new car for developing markets outside of Western Europe, which costs just €5,000 (£3,200). The Logan is the first all-new car created for Romanian carmaker Dacia, which Renault bought in 1999.

It will be built at five factories in Romania, Russia, Morocco, Colombia and Iran with plans to make 700,000 cars every year by 2010. The company said its aim was to make a 'modern, reliable, spacious car' not a fancy sports car or executive saloon.

A spokesman said: 'Potential buyers belong to a gradually-emerging middle class which will be the car market's chief force for growth. These new customers are fully aware what vehicles are available but cannot always afford a new car. When buying a car is possible, it is regarded as an investment.

'Another feature of the emerging markets is that driving conditions are often difficult, with extreme climates, roads in need of repair, irregular vehicle maintenance and cars frequently carrying heavier loads than those for which they were designed.'