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Citroën India

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Citroën India
Company typeJoint venture
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2019
HeadquartersTiruvallur, Chennai
ProductsAutomobiles
Production output
9,488 (FY 2024)
OwnerCitroën
ParentStellantis N.V.
Websitewww.citroen.in

Established in 1919, Citroën is a French automobile brand owned by Stellantis. Citroën was part of the PSA Group before Stellantis N.V. was formed in 2021 on the basis of a merger between Peugeot S.A. (Groupe PSA) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA).

In 2019, the erstwhile PSA group launched the Citroën brand in India along with manufacturing operations through a vehicle assembly plant in Thiruvallur and a powertrain facility in Hosur (both via JVs with CK Birla Group). Consequently, the Stellantis group has increased its investment in the JVs with CK Birla and is now a majority shareholder . The Thiruvallur facility produces the C5 Aircross SUV, C3 & E-C3 for Citroën India. The Hosur plant builds gearboxes primarily for exports and manufactures engines for domestic needs and exports.

History

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The launch of the Citroën brand in India was the third attempt by Groupe PSA to enter the Indian market.[1] During the presentation of FY18 results of Groupe PSA, the chairman confirmed that Citroën was the chosen brand to enter the Indian markets.[2]

Groupe PSA had signed two joint ventures with companies of India's CK Birla Group for vehicle assembly, distribution and powertrain manufacturing of its cars in the country.[3] The French carmaker was initially supposed to enter the Indian market in 2020. However, the plan was delayed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.[4]

Prior to launching the India-spec C5 Aircross SUV, Citroën India's research revealed that comfort is critical criteria for new car buyers in India.[5] Production of the C5 Aircross had started in January 2021[6] at the Tiruvallur plant in Tamil Nadu. Groupe PSA has made an investment of around Rs.2500 crore to enter the Indian market.[7]

Products

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Citroën India is developing several models specifically for the Indian market, including EVs. The C5 Aircross was unveiled on 1 February 2021 and launched on 7 April 2021 in two variants: Feel and Shine, with single and dual tone interiors, equipped with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. According to reports, subsequent cars will not support a diesel engine.[8]

Citroën India revealed the C3 in September 2021 ahead of its India launch in the first half of 2022.[9] The C3 is the first of three models under Citroën's C-cubed program, and has been specifically developed for emerging markets like India and South America. The C3 is locally manufactured here in India with more than 90 percent localisation.[10]

In February 2023, Citroën India launched an electric variant of C3 under the name Ë-C3. The car was launched about 6 months after the C3's launch. Its stated range is 320 kilometres (200 mi) per charge.[11]

Current models

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Model Indian introduction Current model
Introduction (model code) Update (facelift)
Hatchback
C3 2022 2022 –
ëC3 2023 2023 –
SUV/crossover
C3 Aircross 2023 2023 –
Basalt 2024 2024 –
C5 Aircross 2021 2021 2022

References

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  1. ^ Shenoy, Arun (27 January 2017). "Official: Peugeot To Return To India - Third Time Lucky?". ZigWheels.com. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  2. ^ Thakkar, Ketan (27 February 2019). "Groupe PSA plans India return by 2021 with Citroen". The Economic Times. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Citroen readies New Delhi showroom ahead of India market launch". www.autocarpro.in. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  4. ^ Nagaraj, Rahul (5 January 2021). "Citroen C5 Aircross India-Spec SUV Reveal Scheduled For Next Month : Here Are All The Details". www.drivespark.com. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Citroen India: Comfort critical criteria for new car buyers". The Times of India. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Citroen C5 Aircross local assembly begins". Autocar India. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Citroen C5 Aircross SUV's India unveil date out: What to expect from Karoq, Compass rival". The Financial Express. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Citroen will not launch diesel mass market cars in India". Team-BHP.com. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  9. ^ "India-bound Citroen C3 unveiled ahead of 2022 launch". Autocar India. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  10. ^ Chakravarty, Shubhodeep (27 July 2022). "Citroen C3 customer deliveries begin. Check cities where available". Hindustan Times Auto News.
  11. ^ www.ETAuto.com. "Citroën India launches E-C3 all-electric at an introductory price of INR 11.5 lakh - ET Auto". ETAuto.com. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
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