Live updates: Citroen India brand launch
French giant Peugeot PSA is all set to reveal its plans for India today at a function held in Chennai. More importantly, it will also showcase the first car that the carmaker is currently localising for the Indian market - the Citroen C5 Aircross. Present at the event will be Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board, Groupe PSA, Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Citroen Brand, Groupe PSA, Emmanuel Delay, Executive Vice President & Head of India-Pacific, Groupe PSA, and Roland Bouchara, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Citroen India. These officials will shed light on the carmaker's plans for the Indian market, its roadmap, scope and strengths. Stay tuned as we bring you all the details from the event.
PSA is the most profitable car brand in Europe and that is because they know how to “do more with less”. This requires better efficiency of processes and that is the model they will go within India too. PSA will make gradual investments. Scalability is the key approach for the Indian market, which some of the other European competitors haven’t followed.
PSA chose Citroen over Peugeot because Citroen has a more ‘stand-out’ portfolio. Also a more premium brand like Peugeot would mean they would be able to hit the core of the market. They want to go in the relatively more mass market segments
For the products planned for India, Citroen will keep a very short time gap between international and local launches.
PSA is targeting a 2% market share in India and if they achieve that then all their business plans and allied activities for India will be as per their expectations. Target in 4-5 years.
PHEV and electrified vehicles from PSA will be available globally from this year and will be considered for India as well - as and when it makes financial sense.
The C5 Aircross was chosen to be the first model, simply because it’s their latest and their flagship, and they wanted to give India the best they have. In that it embodies everything Citroen stands for. Bold design, comfort tech, connectivity options etc
Huge investments and unrealistic volume targets are the Biggest reasons for the failure of Citroen’s competitors in India
Citroen will be a mass-market brand and will be placed at the heart of the market. Doesn’t want to be positioned as a premium brand. PSA Groupe will also develop the finance and leasing options which aren’t yet explored enough in the Indian market
Citroen aims at 98% localisation on the car parts, 90% on powertrain which translates to ~95% overall. Most competitors haven’t localised the powertrain. For PSA, the gearbox was the first component they localised - and it will be consumed locally as well as exported. Ditto for other components and car parts.
PSA’s plant in Hosur has a capacity of 1,00,000 per annum.
The Ambassador name won’t be used loosely. Whenever it’s used, it will be used in a way that it gives it due respect. But no plan yet around the Ambassador brand.
The line up for India has been developed or configured with inputs from a special team of Indian experts. Their products will stand out and that’s their strength
Citroen will offer the option of configuring and ordering the car online.
Company's website, Citroen.in is now live
Citroen will launch a car every year for the next three years and one of them is a model that will make its international debut in India
Customers are at our heart, says Citroen
The C5 Aircross will come to India in 2020
Citroen’s punchline says, “Inspired by you” and this is how India inspires Citroen. Note the reference to the Ambassador - a brand name that is now owned by the PSA Groupe
Citroen will set up state-of-the-art retail dealerships and will allow customers to rate their cars, dealerships and experience to maintain a tight leash on quality and customer service
Comfort will also be a big talking point for the C5 Aircross- Citroen’s first car for the Indian market
Design and comfort are the keywords for the Citroen brand and is at the forefront of its 360° strategy.
And is also ready for the future, claims the carmaker
Citroen has a rather illustrious history
In the last 100 years, it’s sold over 50 million cars!
Citroen celebrates its 100th anniversary this year
Linda Jackson now addresses the media
The plant at Hosur will start manufacturing powertrains by 2020
PSA’s local ecosystem will comprise of sales, service, sourcing and R&D
PSA will work with CK Birla and Tat aConsultancy Services for the Indian market.
India will contribute heavily to PSA global footprint and has the advantages of low-cost manufacturing.
Emanuell Delay heads the Pacific operations for PSA. He says that the Indian market is tough, but full of opportunities
PSA’s comeback plans for India materialised with the group’s JV with the CK Birla group
The Indian plans for PSA will be spearheaded by Citroen
The acquisition of Opel and Vauxhall have given big boost for PSA in Europe
In five years, PSA has managed to go from near-bankruptcy to profitable.
Carlos Tavares addresses the media at the PSA Groupe conference in Chennai
The PSA Groupe has 45 manufacturing facilities around the world
Under the wraps is the first vehicle for the Citroen brand in India - the C5 Aircross.
Another milestone for the Indian car industry as the French brand Citroen makes its debut in what is one of the most booming automotive markets in the world
PSA Group and Avtec Ltd, a CK Birla Group company inaugurated their Hosur plant in November 2018. The plant will manufacture and supply powertrains for global and domestic markets.
In February 2017, PSA Group acquired Hindustan Motors (including the trademarks) for Rs 80 Cr.
In April 2016, PSA Group revealed its ‘Push to Pass’ six-year long growth plan for the plan and the company said that they would step in India by 2018 and would launch the first Citroen product by 2021.
