The promise of a new benchmark in the premium hatchback segment. The Citroen C3 is the first of three big market models for India and launches in June; The EV version is coming in 2023.
see photosCitroen C3 will offer an electrified version that will arrive next year
The upcoming Citron C3 B-segment offering from the French carmaker will set new benchmarks in the segment, according to its CEO Vincent Coby. It will also get a pure electric variant by next year – which the company expects to account for up to 10 per cent of total model sales in the medium term. Citron will launch the other two models on the same CMP or ‘smart car’ platform as the C3. It is expected to be a high-end subcompact SUV or crossover and a 7-seater MPV. Citron says it will not enter the price sensitive part of the market that sits beneath the C3 offering. All three cars are EV ready – and the term electrification was coined in the development of the cars from Go. The EV version of the C3 will launch in India by mid-2023.
Vincent Coby – CEO, Citroen, was addressing the Indian media at a recent round table conference discussing the future of the brand in the market.
Kobi told carandbike, “When we unveiled the new C3 we said we are ready for the future. So the vehicles we launch are capable of full electrification. The new C3 will be capable of full electrification and its 100% There will be an electric version. Now, it will keep pace with the market readiness. The ratio – we can expect 5-10 per cent – but we will be ready for more.”
Read also: The first Citroen EV for India will come next year, two more to come
The C3 will carry Citron’s trademark proposition of comfort and attractive design – something its first offering, the C5 Aircross was able to showcase to the Indian audience when it hit the market last year. Further, the car will boast of a crossover or SUV character in its high riding position and posture, and will also have safety and technology as key pillars of the model’s offering in the market. The C3 will be positioned as a premium hatch and still take on everything from traditional rivals such as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20, as well as some subcompact SUVs such as the smaller Tata Punch or the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger among others. While Citron insists that it is not going to play a volume game with the C3, it is still looking to carve a niche for itself in the highly competitive and ever-expanding B-segment. “To be clear when you enter the B hatchback segment you need to have a certain presence as your proposition has to be attractive to the widest possible audience. The flip side of this is the complexity of the Indian market which is dominated by two major players. We have established a network of dealers, a sales process that is extremely innovative – combining online technology and physical presence, we have checked the boxes for after sales service and roadside assistance, as well as financing. And that will give us the opportunity to have a substantial amount of presence,” Kobi told us.
Citroen C3 will be the most affordable brand ever in India
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The brand’s parent company Stelantis is aiming for a higher level of localization on its Indian models – 90 to 95 percent in the case of Citroen. EV variants won’t naturally meet that goal, but Stelantis CEO Carlos Tavares has also said that the company will be actively exploring ways of sourcing batteries and other parts for electric vehicles in India as the opportunity arises. The company has car manufacturing facilities outside Chennai and a powertrain manufacturing unit in Hosur for engines and gearboxes. The cost competitive advantage sees that the CCubed or Smart Car platform also establishes an export strategy for vehicles from India operations. Kobi said, “There are two clear destinations when we are here. One is the right-hand-drive African market, which we all know has substantial demand and growth potential. The other is ASEAN, where many types of exports are possible. And to be honest, I intend to expand export destinations. We have some studies to make sure that this wonderful country – not only as a market, but also as an industrial base, gives us a lot of money. Giving all the opportunities.” After the rollout of 3 models from the smart car platform, Citron also expects more synergies with its partner company Jeep in India. A lot of capabilities have already been implemented after the formation of Stelantis, which brought the two brands closer together. While these are mostly operational, areas such as platform and powertrain are also now being studied closely in the Indian context to see greater cost sharing for future portfolios in Jeep and Citroen in India.
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