ARO ARO 10 Series History

The ARO 10 was unveiled at the Romanian Exhibition of National Economy (EREN) in 1979 and went on sale as a 1980 model. Designed by an independent car designer hired by the ARO factory, it was conceived as a light-utility compact 4x4 for both domestic use and export. The vehicle shared its engine and front axle with the Dacia 1300 (itself a licensed Renault 12), and its overall concept was reportedly inspired by the Renault Rodeo and Citroën Méhari — giving it a lighter, more accessible character than the larger 24 Series.

The ARO 10's early design featured independent suspension at all four corners, though the rear was later changed to a live axle for greater durability under load. The model range expanded to include seven engine options over its lifespan — petrol units from 1.3 to 1.6 litres (54–106 hp, including Volkswagen and Daewoo variants) and diesels from 1.6 to 2.0 litres (Peugeot and Renault sourced, 64–92 hp). Body styles spanned the 10.1 two-door convertible, the 10.4 three-door hard-top, the 11.4 five-door, and both single- and double-cab pick-up variants. A later Spartana variant (1997–2006) offered a stripped-down convertible for the leisure market.

In the United Kingdom the ARO 10 was marketed as the Dacia Duster — a name that would resurface decades later on a completely unrelated Renault-platform crossover from the reconstituted Dacia brand. The ARO 10 was also sold under the ARO Ischia and ARO Enduro x4 names in Italy. Production of both the ARO 10 and ARO 24 continued until the company's bankruptcy in June 2006, making the ARO 10 one of the longest-lived compact 4x4 designs of the communist-era Eastern European automotive industry.