CITROEN BREAKS WORLD SALES RECORD FOR
THE SEVENTH YEAR
The day after Citroen Australia announced its record breaking seventh successive year of sales growth (7 January 2004, VFACTS), the French car maker has announced that its world sales have also set a new record for the seventh successive year.
In 2003 Citroen sold 1,372,000 vehicles, an increase of 4.6 per cent on the previous year, world wide.
In the 17 countries of Western Europe Citroën sales went in the opposite direction to the entire market with a reported 1,104,000 registrations, a rise of 2.7 per cent on a market that contracted by 1.6 per cent. At the same time, the brand increased its market share from 6.6 per cent to 6.9 per cent.
Excluding its home market of France, Citroën reported a six per cent increase in sales with 760,500 registrations, taking its market share from 5.25 per cent to 5.61 per cent in a market that contracted by one per cent.
In France, the market contracted by 6.2 per cent but Citroën demonstrated its resilience by increasing its market share from 14 per cent to 14.3 per cent.
In other markets around the world, Citroën sold 256,000 vehicles, an increase of 18 per cent.
This strong commercial drive is linked to the renewal of the products in the Citroën range, and also to the strong impetus endowed by Citroen’s success in the World Rally Championship, where it secured the 2003 Manufacturers’ title.
The CitroenRange grows: Three new small cars in 2003
The Supermini Market Sector in Europe, with a 35 per cent share, is one of the most important sectors of the market and Citroen took eight per cent of it in 2003. This was achieved with the launch of three models, the C3, C2 and C3 Pluriel that provide Citroen with unrivalled market sector coverage.
Launched in the second quarter of 2002, the C3 has exceeded targets with 342,000 units sold. The C2 was well received on its debut in September 2003 and will contribute to increasing brand sales.
Citroën's supermini range meets the requirements expressed by customers in terms of styling, design and also safety. In EuroNCAP crash tests, the C3 Pluriel, C2 and C3 all claimed first place in their categories, with 4 stars and 31, 29 and 28 points respectively.
Citroën also offers the widest range of vehicles equipped with an automated manual gearbox. The SensoDrive offering, available with the C3, C3 Pluriel and C2, was extended in December 2003 to the HDi 70 engine and the new 1.4i 16V 90 bhp engine, in addition to the 1.4i and 16.i 16V engines.
Extensively restyled at end 2002, the Berlingo continued to pursue a successful career in 2003 with 179,000vehicles sold, an increase of 8 per cent. In October, Citroën launched the Berlingo XTR, a vehicle equipped with a limited-slip differential. This function lets the user venture safely onto muddy or pebble-strewn tracks.
The Xsara range is updated and extended regularly. The latest developments include the arrival of the HDi 70 engine and the upgrades in exterior and interior styling.Another major event for the Xsara in 2003: its launch on the Chinese market.
The Xsara Picasso range has been extended with the arrival of the 2.0i 16V (137 bhp) engine, coupled with a sequential, auto-adaptive automatic gearbox.
The Citroën C5 range was also upgraded, with the arrival of a 6-speed manual gearbox for the HDi 136 engine equipped with the DPFS particle filter and with the launch of the C5 by Carlsson. First launched on the German market, this top-end model is also available in France.
Sales of the C8 people-carrier were in line with full-year objectives. In early 2003, the range gained a V6 petrol engine of 150 kW coupled with a sequentially controlled automatic gearbox. The 2.0i 16V and HDi 109 DPFS engines are also available with this type of transmission.
Advanced Citroën technology
Always at the leading edge of technology, Citroën is studying the development of functional driving aids, some of which are already present on different models in the range. Examples include the SensoDrive automated manual gearbox and the NaviDrive navigation system.
Introduced on the C3 in June 2002, the SensoDrive automated manual gearbox is now available on the C3, C3 Pluriel and C2, with a choice of both petrol and diesel engines. Few vehicles on this segment can boast a driving aid of this type.
The SensoDrive automated manual gearbox combines the qualities of a manual gearbox with the convenience of an automatic gearbox.
It offers a choice of gearchange modes: steering-wheel paddles, a sequential gearlever or an automatic function. The clutch pedal no longer exists.
The electronic clutch and gearchange management systems bring real fuel savings. A vehicle equipped with the SensoDrive system saves between 0.2 l/100km over a combined cycle and 0.7 l/km over an urban cycle compared with the same vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox.
Moreover, SensoDrive can be combined with cruise control, another feature rarely found on the supermini segment, which allows the driver to set a constant vehicle speed.
Available with the C8, the C5 and, more recently, the C3, NaviDrive is a new-generation colour telematics system. It groups a range of functions on a single panel: audio system (radio and CD), telephone and onboard guidance functions, together with voice synthesis and recognition capabilities.
The new Citroën Jumpy leads a renewed CV range
In the first eleven months of 2003, Citroën ranked No. 2 on the European LCV market with market share of 11 per cent, its best score ever. This performance can be attributed to the renewal of its light commercial vehicle range over a period of less than two years.
The new Jumper arrived on the market in February 2002. It was followed by the restyled Berlingo, presented at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, and by the Berlingo dual-fuel petrol/LPG and petrol/CNG models. Today, the Jumpy is gaining a new look. Featuring thoroughly modern styling, the new model will be presented at the Brussels Motor Show between 13 and 25 January 2004.
Alongside all these new models, the C15 stands as an exception. Launched in 1984, it is still widely acclaimed by customers.
A fleet version of the new C2 arrived at end 2003 following the launch of the C3 fleet model in 2002. Naturally, this offering would not be complete without the Xsara, a vehicle whose comfort and road manners have made it a great commercial success.
Citroën: 2003 World Rally Champion
At the start of the season, Guy Fréquelin, head of Citroën Sport, set two objectives: to win at least three events and to finish in the first two in either the manufacturers' or drivers' categories.
The results have surpassed all expectations: four wins (Monte Carlo, Turkey, Germany, San Remo), thirteen podiums, the world title for Citroën and the Xsara WRC, second place in the drivers' category for Sébastien Loeb and third place for Carlos Sainz.
Demonstrating an ability to take fast action at crucial moments, the Citroën Sport team showed that the Xsara WRC can perform well on all types of terrain. Moreover, Citroën benefited from the immense experience of Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz, combined with the youth and talent of Sébastien Loeb.
Following a change in regulations, returning to the system in which only two cars can score points in the manufacturers' category, Citroën has decided to retain the services of Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena and Carlos Sainz/Marc Marti for the 2004 season.
The milestone event in 2004 is the arrival of the C2!
After a seven-year career, with two world crowns and five national titles, the Saxo is making way for the vivacious C2. The C2 Super 1600 and C2 Challenge are set to obtain motorsport homologation on 1 March 2004.
In France, Citroën will enter two C2 Super 1600 vehicles in the rally championship. Belgium's Kronos team will be responsible for preparing and running the cars.
The teams chosen to drive the C2 Super 1600 in this latest challenge are Patrick Henry/Jean-Paul Chiaroni and Yoann Bonato/Benjamin Boulloud.
In promotional formulas, the C2 Challenge will be used for the Rally Challenge and the Rallycross Challenge.
On ReunionIsland, David Grondin will drive a C2 Super 1600 with the support of the company Foucque. A C2 Rally Challenge will organised here, as well as in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
In Spain, the Piedrafita team will be entering a C2 Super 1600 in the rally championship. Citroën Spain will also be providing technical support for the three C2 Super 1600 vehicles.
In Hungary, PH Sport will continue to work with Citroën Hungary in the national championship and to prepare a C2 Super 1600 for Robert Butor/Vilmos Toth.
With backing from Citroën Italy, Luca Rossetti will drive a C2 Super 1600 prepared by the Vieffecorse team. His team-mate will be Daniele de Luis.
In Portugal, as well as organising a C2 Rally Challenge, the subsidiary will enter an official C2 Super 1600 in the championship. The car will be driven by Armindo Araujo and Miguel Ramalho.
In Switzerland, Grégoire Hotz will take part in the rally championship with a C2 Super 1600. Citroën Switzerland is expected to sponsor this programme.
In Slovenia, the Target Motorsport team is to enter a C2 Challenge in the rally championship.
CITROËN WORLD SALES: THE DETAILS
Europe: Impressive growth.
Across Western Europe as a whole, Citroën strengthened its position on both the car and commercial markets.
In an overall market that was down 1.6 per cent, Citroën increased registrations by 2.7 per cent. The brand’s market share rose from 6.6 per cent to 6.9 per cent in 2003.
Volumes2002 / Market share
% / Volumes
2003 / Market share
% / Change
%
Total / Market / 16,217,000 / 15,953,000 / - 1.6%
Citroën
/ 1,075,000 / 6.6% / 1,104,000 / 6.9% / + 2.7%Car / Market / 14,392,000 / 14,184,000 / - 1.4%
Citroën / 886,000 / 6.2% / 909,000 / 6.4% / + 2.5%
LCV / Market / 1,825,000 / 1,769,000 / - 3.2%
Citroën / 189,000 / 10.3% / 195,000 / 11% / + 3.1%
In France, Citroën increased its market share from 14 per cent to 14.3 per cent, continuing the growth trend of the past five years.
The brand reported a 3.9 per cent decline in sales against a market downturn of 6.2 per cent.
In the car market, Citroën reported market share of 13.5 per cent, compared with 13.4 per cent in 2002, in a car market that dipped by 6.3 per cent. This result can be attributed primarily to the strong showing of brand models on the supermini segment and to the steady performance of the Xsara Picasso.
In an LCV market that contracted by 5.7 per cent, the brand reported a strong increase in volumes (4.8 per cent). With 71,500 vehicles sold in 2003, Citroën reported market share of 18.7 per cent compared with 16.8 per cent in 2002.
In Spain, Citroën's results reflected the same positive trend as the market, up 4.9 per cent). The brand maintained its No. 2 position with market share of 11.9 per cent.
The Xsara range plays a key role in Citroën's success in Spain. The saloon is the second most popular car on the market, while the Xsara Picasso people-carrier occupies the No. 1 spot in its segment. The superminis are not far behind: the C3 was Car of the Year 2003 and the C2 was recently named Car of the Year 2004.
Citroën remains the leader on the LCV market, with market share of 15.2 per cent.
In Italy, in a market that contracted by 4.9 per cent, Citroën reported a record year in terms of both market share (5.7 per cent) and sales volumes (up 37 per cent), an increase of almost 40,000 cars.
The C3 range took second place on the PC market with almost 77,000 units sold. The other models in the Citroën range also contributed to this overall performance, with particularly strong showings for the Berlingo and the C8, and a good start for the C2.
In the UK, in view of the unfavourable exchange rate, Citroën deliberately scaled down its marketing effort. The brand posted market share of 4.9 per cent in a market that expanded by 1.8 per cent.
Although the C3 and the restyled Berlingo are both showing good results in the UK, the Xsara Picasso remains Citroën's best-selling vehicle on this market. It is No. 1 in its segment for sales to private buyers.
With market share of 4.6 per cent in the car market, Citroen remains third on the LCV market with market share of 8 per cent.
In the relatively stable German market, Citroën maintained volumes and reported a market share that remained steady at 2.1 per cent.
The first results posted by Citroën’s two new models are encouraging: more than 2,800 examples of the C2 and 2,900 examples of the C3 Pluriel have been sold.
The C3 confirmed its increasing popularity in 2003, with more than 15,000 vehicles sold.
The Berlingo remains immensely popular and continues to grow sales with 17,200 vehicles delivered.
In the LCV market, Citroën maintained a steady position with market share of 3.9 per cent.
In Belgium and Luxembourg, on a market that contracted by 1 per cent, Citroën posted market share of 11.2 per cent, compared with 10.5 per cent in 2002, an increase of 5 per cent in volume terms.
In the PC market, Citroen occupies the No. 3 position with market share of 10.7 per cent. In the LCV market, Citroën held on to the No.1 position with market share of 15.8 per cent and a 12 per cent increase in volumes.
In the Netherlands, in a market that shrank by 4 per cent, Citroën reported the strongest growth rate (7 per cent) of the market's seven top car manufacturers, to take market share of 5.9 per cent. All the models in the range contributed to these results.
In Switzerland, Citroën grew sales by 24 per cent to take 4.6 per cent (3.4 per cent in 2002) of a market that was down 9 per cent.
Citroën increased both its car and LCV market share (4.4 per cent of the car market in 2003 compared with 3.2 per cent in 2002, and 7.3 per cent of the LCV market, compared with 5.2 per cent in 2002). Citroën reported an impressive 24 per cent increase in car sales. This performance can be attributed primarily to the strong showing of the Xsara Picasso, C8 and Berlingo, as well as to the results reported by the C2, C3 and C3 Pluriel. The brand increased sales by 26 per cent in the LCV market.
In Austria, as a result of more buoyant commercial activity in the second half of 2003, Citroën posted a 30 per cent increase in sales at the end of the year on a market that expanded by 8 per cent. The brand took market share of 3.5 per cent compared with 2.9 per cent in 2002.
In Portugal, in a market that reported a significant drop of 15 per cent, Citroën increased its market share to 8.9 per cent.These encouraging results can be explained in part by the appeal of the brand's supermini range. Since the market launch of the C2, Citroën has claimed the No. 1 spot on the B segment.
In Scandinavia
In Denmark, against a backdrop of rising prices and a market that declined by 12 per cent Citroën consolidated its position as the No. 3 brand, position acquired for the first time in 2002, with market share of 10.5%.
In Sweden, Citroën posted a sales increase of 30 per cent in a market that grew by 2 per cent, to take market share of 4.6 per cent compared with 3.6 per cent in 2001. All the models in the range contributed to this result. Hitherto absent on the supermini segment, the brand has gained new market share through the sale of more than 2,700 examples of the C2, C3 and C3 Pluriel.
In Norway, in a market that grew by 3 per cent, the brand maintained sales volumes to take market share of 4 per cent.
Around the rest of the world, Citroën steps up its activity.
In 2003, Citroën sold more than 256,000 vehicles outside Western Europe, an increase of 18 per cent on 2002.
In China, Citroën sold 104,000 vehicles, an increase of 22 per cent over 2002. Citroen has practically doubled sales in two years.
These good results can be explained in part by the new product launches seen in the first half of 2003, with the 5-door Xsara and two new versions of the Elysée notchback saloon: the VIP limousine and the VTS boasting high-spec equipment with the new 1.6i 16V engine.These new models round out Citroën’s existing offering on the Chinese market, which is made up of the Xsara Picasso, the Elysée, the C5 and the ZX Fukang and 988.
In Central and Eastern Europe, Citroën consolidated its position in 2002, with market share of 5.4 per cent, compared with 5.1 per cent in 2001.
- In Poland, Citroën increased sales by 19 per cent in a market that expanded by 15 per cent, to take market share of 4.7 per cent.
-InHungary, Citroën increased sales by 14 per cent in a market that expanded by 15 per cent, to take market share of 5.2 per cent.
-InCroatia, Citroën increased sales by 20 per cent in a market that expanded by 5 per cent, to take market share of 9.5 per cent.
In Latin America, where the overall economic situation is unfavourable, Citroën deliberately scaled down its commercial activity.Citroën maintained market share of 1.5 per cent as in 2002.
In Brazil, on a market that contracted by 8 per cent, Citroën maintained market share of 1.3 per cent.
In AustraliaCitroën became the fastest growing major European brand with sales gain of 35.4 per cent, Citroën’s seventh year of growth in Australia, driven by the arrival of the Citroën C3 as well as strong C5 sales, in a market that grew by 10.4 per cent.
(ends)
For further information:
Citroën Australia Media Web Site:
Miles Williams
/ Tel: (02) 9558 7111General Manager / Fax: (02) 9558 7722
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:
Edward Rowe
/ Tel: (02) 9558 7111Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 9558 7722
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:
Web site:
EJR/ejr/407
1/8/2004