Meetings of car brand enthusiasts are common enough, but few are organized on this kind of scale. Inspired by the “Dacia maniacs” initiative in the Netherlands that drew more than 400 vehicles, Dacia managers in France set the bar even higher, with 1,000 cars and 4,200 enthusiasts. The high point of the event came when the guests got into formation to spell out the words “I love my Dacia”, visible from the air.

A host of other events were organized alongside the picnic. Youngsters got to enjoy inflatable playgrounds, water games and pony rides, while adults hunted for accessories, found out all about the cars on show (including Sandero Stepway) and learned about eco-driving.

Truck drivers Pascal and Christelle were delighted by the event.. and their Logan MCV. “It’s two years old and has 60,000 km on the clock. It’s an ideal car for us and our five boys. Attaching a child seat is easy and it has three-point seatbelts.” Even more impressive for Pascal is the car’s fuel economy. “I get 4.7 l/100 km in everyday driving – and I just set a record of 3.9l/100 km during the eco-driving activity!”

In a sign of the times, a number of guests used Dacia-dedicated web forums to organize a get-together the night before the picnic to visit the area and get the most out of the Dacia experience on the day itself. “We share our experience and tips, check out customized Logans and lesser-known models like Logan Pick-up,” says a member of one of these groups, saying they loved the “really great spirit” at the event.