Citroen dedicated to Australia, has “bold” plan

Citroen gained’t share its quantity targets however says it has an “bold” five-year plan for Australia, and is open to increasing its scant supplier community.

Nonetheless, it says it doesn’t intend on being a mass-market model and isn’t chasing quantity in any respect prices. The corporate additionally says it takes inspiration from different manufacturers available in the market, together with Volvo.

“I feel we are able to categorically say we’re dedicated to the Australian market. And it’s not one thing that we’re simply saying, we’re displaying that by the product that we’re bringing to the market,” mentioned Chloe Fraser, group public relations and company communications supervisor.

“We do have a fairly bold five-year plan, however that doesn’t once more imply that we’re going to essentially intention for the highest 10,” mentioned Peugeot Citroen Australia managing director Kate Gillis.

“However what we do have is a mannequin that’s sustainable for our supplier community, and for us to have the ability to convey it to the market.

“And we work very intently with our supplier community, having them being profitable is our success. However we additionally must make it possible for we’ve obtained the proper ranges of quantity shifting ahead to make their enterprise profitable.”

Peugeot Citroen Australia intends to extend its advertising spend going into subsequent yr, with a focused method. For instance, it’ll promote its autos on the Melbourne Worldwide Flower & Backyard Present.

“You’ll discover significantly as we get into subsequent yr, you’ll discover extra of a presence, extra funding, actually, on the finish of the day on each Peugeot and Citroen. Actually earmarking the shoppers and the target market that we’re after,” mentioned Ms Gillis.

It helps the model has recent product to advertise.

The C5 X has simply been launched, with a plug-in hybrid model due within the second half of 2023, whereas a refreshed C5 Aircross is due earlier than the top of this yr.

The model re-introduced the C4 nameplate late final yr to Australia on a brand new, high-riding hatchback, and the electrical model supplied in Europe – often known as the e-C4 – stays underneath analysis however is wanting “beneficial” for a neighborhood launch.

“There’s most likely nonetheless a little bit of hesitancy round going full EV; PHEV does present an alternate but additionally so does the petrol engine proper now. What that appears like in 2 or 3 years’ time goes to be a part of the shopper’s journey,” mentioned Ms Gillis, noting Citroen is embarking on an electrification journey like its sister model Peugeot.

Citroen bought simply seven autos final month, one fewer than Rolls-Royce, placing it above solely Chrysler on the gross sales charts. However that fellow Stellantis model has been withdrawn from Australia, with the only 300 sedan bought possible the final.

To the top of September, Citroen is sitting at 204 gross sales. It’s up 114.7 per cent year-to-date, and appears set to keep away from a repeat of its ignominious efficiency in 2020 and 2021 the place it was outsold by Ferrari, amongst different unique manufacturers.

“The quantity that we had for final month doesn’t take note of the order financial institution that we’ve got, it doesn’t take note of any of the pre-sales as an illustration that we’ve got on C5 X, so there‘s loads of different parts that aren’t added and that we don’t see in VFACTS,” mentioned Ms Gillis.

“So we’re fairly comfy with the efficiency to date year-to-date… We should always see that also performing into the top of 2022 and into 2023.”

It has no plans to reintroduce any mild business autos, which are actually the purview of Peugeot.

Citroen says it has been challenged by provide on account of the chip scarcity, however some autos – just like the C5 X – have good provide regardless of larger than anticipated early demand.

The model has solely 10 gross sales dealerships nationwide, although you possibly can service your Citroen via 36 areas in whole.

The corporate says its 10 gross sales dealerships are “strategically positioned” all through Australia, whereas it’s presently working to make sure every location seems to be appropriately premium.

“We get curiosity from [prospective new] sellers on a regular basis if I’m trustworthy with you, however we additionally want to take a look at when it comes to what does that imply for the model itself,” mentioned Ms Gillis.

“Very importantly we have a look at supplier factors the place we’ve truly obtained our target market, so it’s a superb combination of present clients from a service perspective but additionally the place the potential for brand new clients can be.

“If we had been to undergo the subsequent variety of years with the kind with the dimensions of our supplier community, we’d be completely happy. However we do have some sellers who’re actually eager to be concerned with the Citroen model.”

Ms Gillis additionally famous {that a} Peugeot dealership can nonetheless supply a Citroen for an buyer, even when it doesn’t promote Citroens.