CITROËN AUSTRALIA EXPANDS INTO NEW ZEALAND
Citroën’s Australian importer, Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd, is celebrating ten years of growth in Australia by taking over distribution of the French car maker’s products in New Zealand from today (1 March 2007), promising to lift the New Zealand profile and sales of one of Europe’s most innovative car makers.
“Citroën has proven an outstanding success for our company in Australia,” says Neville Crichton, the Governing Director of Ateco Automotive on both sides of the Tasman. “Its products, with their unique combination of style and technology, along with keen pricing have proven very attractive and we believe that we can produce the same levels of growth for Citroën in New Zealand by combining the buying power we have with both markets and using everything we have learnt about Citroën in Australia.”
Citroën sold 202 cars in New Zealand during 2006 and Ateco plan to lift this to 500 units by the end of 2008, its first full year in control of the brand. Ateco plan to achieve this with a mix of sharper prices, new models and an expanded dealer group.
The first new model to arrive in New Zealand will be the award-winning Citroën C4 Picasso, initially in the seven seat configuration that has won acclaim in Europe for its innovation, style and family-friendly features. In Australia the Berlingo light van has proven such a success for Citroën that it inspired Citroën’s rivals to enter the market with their own European vans and, therefore it is no surprise that the arrival of the Berlingo in the New Zealand market is a key addition in the Ateco plan for Citroën in New Zealand. At the other end of the Citroën range, the Citroën C6 will provide Citroën with a ‘halo’ model that demonstrates Citroën’s technology and design advances.
Within the existing range, Ateco will bring the New Zealand line-up into step with the Australian Citroën range, enabling New Zealand to benefit from the combined buying power provided by the total Citroën sales of more than 5000 vehicles in New Zealand, Australia and vehicles delivered through the Citroën DriveEurope holiday lease programme, which is now also available in New Zealand.
To support the additional sales, Ateco Automotive NZ will be developing the New Zealand Citroën dealer group, adding extra dealers in Auckland and Christchurch and improving the facilities and customer support across the country. This will be supported by additional staff joining the Ateco Automotive NZ team at its Mt Wellington headquarters under General Manager Lawrie Malatios as well as the ability to draw on the expertise at the Citroën office in Australia.
“With its stylish, comfortable, highly efficient and environmentally friendly cars and commercial vehicles, Citroën has the products that meet the needs of New Zealand car buyers,” explains Neville Crichton. “With our buying power providing sharp new prices and our commitment to customer service, Citroën will achieve significant growth under Ateco Automotive in New Zealand and we are looking forward to celebrating, as we are in Australia this year, ten years of continuous Citroën growth!”
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For further information:
Citroën Australia Media Web Site: http://media.ateco.com.au/
Miles Williams
/ Tel: (02) 9701 8020General Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:
Edward Rowe
/ Tel: (02) 9701 8015Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:
Citroen Australia
Street Address: Heritage Building, Campus Business Park, 350 Parramatta Road, Homebush NSW 2140 Australia. Postal Address: Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd,Locked Bag 260, Silverwater, NSW 1811, Australia
Telephone: 02 9701 8000; Direct Telephone 02 9701 8015 Fax: 02 9701 3555. Mobile +61 0407 913 244
A.B.N. 34 000 486 706
EJR/ejr/719
2/21/2007