CITROËN begins its India Story by launching CitroënC5 Aircross SUV
CITROËN BEGINS ITS INDIA STORY
Chennai, 03 April 2019
- Boasting over 100 years of creativity and high standards, Citroën has always honoured its heritage by disrupting automotive cues and reinterpreting the automobile
- A spirit underlined by its ‘Inspired by You’ signature and embodied by unique design and a benchmark for comfortable cars
- The Push to Pass strategic plan is a first step towards the achievement of Groupe PSA’s vision of becoming a global carmaker on the leading edge of efficiency and a benchmark supplier of mobility services
- The flagship vehicle, CitroënC5 Aircross SUV will be the first product for the Indian market - The most comfortable model of its segment
Groupe PSA achieves another milestone today by
launching the Citroën brand in
India. During the presentation of FY2018 financial results of Groupe PSA and
the second phase of its strategic plan Push to Pass for the
period 2019-2021, Citroën brand was
announced for the Indian market. Mr. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing
Board, Groupe PSA, Ms. Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Citroën Brand,
Groupe PSA and Mr. Emmanuel Delay, Executive Vice President & Head of
India-Pacific, Groupe PSA, Mr. Roland Bouchara, Senior Vice President Sales
& Marketing, Citroën India, were present at the event.
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(L-R) Ms. Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roland Bouchara,
Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Mr. Emmanuel Delay, Executive
Vice President & Head of India-Pacific,
Mr. Carlos Tavares, Chairman
of the Managing Board |
The flagship vehicle, CitroënC5 Aircross SUV, was
also showcased at the event, which will be the first product from the Citroën brand for
the Indian customers, being launched before the end of 2020. It was also
announced that Citroën plans to bring in a range of products after the CitroënC5
Aircross SUV that will be made and launched in India before being introduced in
other parts of the world. With one new launch every year from 2021 after the
New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV the new range of products will be launched in India
before the rest of the world. This new programme to be launched in India will
come under the name of C Cubed, standing for Cool, Comfort and Clever. Cool to
illustrate Citroën’s unique and bold designs, Comfort to highlight our approach
of a global well-being to make all Citroën easy to use working on ergonomics
and connectivity and Clever to be at the heart of the market, developing
international highly localised cars to meet customer expectations.This would be backed by launch of a disruptive &
seamless digital customer experience and a phygital distribution network.
Present at the brand launch, Mr. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the
Managing Board, Groupe PSA, said, “India is an important next step for
Groupe PSA, as part of the Push to Pass plan to increase our international
footprint and revenues. With the introduction of Citroën, our aim
is to ‘be Indian in India’ and our association with the CK Birla Group, will be
important to become a major player in the Indian automotive market. Globally,
we have been successful in Europe and in other parts of the world because of
our unique automotive experiences and delivering mobility solutions to meet our
customer expectations. We really believe that India is a strong opportunity for
growth and our commitment, professionalism and agility of our teams, combined with
the pursuit of operational excellence, will sustainably drive our performance
and increase the satisfaction of our future customers in the country.”
Speaking about the brand, Ms. Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer,
Citroën Brand, Groupe PSA,said, “We are celebrating Citroën’s
Centenary, 100 years of a brand which has constantly looked to the future of
the automotive industry, by offering innovative solutions in line with the
needs of each era. Globally, Citroën’s success is based on unique design, and
benchmark comfort. The India automotive market is very dynamic with a high
potential. We believe we have the right positioning to meet the expectations of
the Indian customers. I am confident that the new Citroën C5 Aircross SUV will
set a benchmark in style, comfort and innovation in its segment in India.”
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| Ms. Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer addresses the gathering |
Sharing his thoughts on the brand and region, Mr. Emmanuel Delay,
Executive Vice President & Head of India-Pacific, Groupe PSA, said, “New
technologies, modern production techniques and innovative designs have played a
crucial role in developing the brand for which Citroën is known. As a new
player in the Indian automotive market, we will stick to remaining committed to
our philosophy of constantly looking to the future and setting high standards
of innovation while continuing to build on the brand attributes. Our India
story will play a crucial role in making the Citroën brand more international.
We are on track to meet our objective of introducing our innovative range,
starting from the new Citroën C5 Aircross SUV, which will be the first of many
differentiating products from the brand from our vehicle manufacturing JV
between the PSA Groupe & the CK Birla Group located at Tiruvallur, Tamil
Nadu. Production of Powertrains from our PSA - AVTEC Powertrain JV at Hosur,
Tamil Nadu is also on track and will support our local and global
requirements.”
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| Mr. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board |
Sharing his views on building the brand in India, Mr. Roland Bouchara,
Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Citroën India, said, “Citroën brand in
India is here and here to make a difference. India is important to Citroën and
this is evident as we plan to bring in a new range of products, after the new Citroën
C5 Aircross SUV that will be made and launched in India first before being
rolled out globally.” He also added, “India is a unique market and Indians are
adopting new technologies at a very rapid pace. To support our range of unique
new products and our in-depth study of the Indian market, we have planned for a
unique customer experience, which will enable us to be the new digital
reference for a seamless customer experiencein the Indian automotive market. We
are planning to introduce a unique digitally disruptive, omni-channel customer
journey to deliver ATAWADAC ((AnyTimeAnyWhereAnyDeviceAnyContent) experience to
customers. Our Network focus will be to develop lean &phygital (physical+digital)
formats with a ‘brick to click’ orientation. This seamless experience will be brought
alive by personalized digital sales and service processes for our customers.”
He also announced, “Weare pleased to go live with our India website www.citroen.in which
marks the beginning of our partnership with potential dealers in India leading
to the Citroën Dealer Partner Live Tour in India from 1st of
July, 2019.”
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| Mr. Emmanuel Delay, Executive Vice President & Head of India-Pacific |
The visibly differentiated, the Citroën C5
Aircross SUV stands apart through its singular, energetic and assertive
attitude. Measuring 4.5mtr in length, robust and muscular, powerful but free of
arrogance, the new model stands out in the SUV segment with its flowing shapes
large wheels, higher ground clearanceand distinctive roof bars. The cabin
instantly gives an impression of spaciousness, with an emphatically horizontal
dashboard and enveloping seats, seating position that gives the feeling of
dominating the road, as well as a wide central console and warm materials. With
the Citroën Advanced Comfort®, the NewCitroën C5 Aircross SUV is the most
comfortable model in its segment.
About Citroën
At the heart of the automotive market, Citroën has
asserted itself since 1919 as a popular brand in the true sense of the word,
making people and their lifestyles its first source of inspiration. A spirit
underlined by its ‘Inspired by You’ signature and embodied by cars combining
unique design and benchmark comfort. Within the sector of mainstream brands,
Citroën also stands out with a unique customer experience (Citroën Advisor, ‘La
Maison Citroën’, etc.). In 2018, the Brand sold 1.05 million vehicles in over
90 countries.
CitroënIndia :
Saurabh Vatsa | saurabh.vatsa@citroen.com
Corporate Citroën :
Delphine Coma | delphine.coma@citroen.com
Paul Mahouin | paul.mahouin@citroen.com
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