A comparatively new entrant to the Indian automobile market, Citroen plans to improve its whole portfolio, increase gross sales and repair community by over threefold, and launch a brand new car over the subsequent one yr, Aditya Jairaj, managing director and CEO, Stellantis India informed ET in his first interview since taking cost on January 1.
Stellantis, the world’s third largest carmaker, sells the Jeep and Citroen manufacturers in India. The corporate has achieved in depth buyer clinics over the previous couple of months to realign its enterprise technique for increasing its footprint within the nation.
Stating India has emerged as one of many world’s quickest rising automobile markets because the pandemic, Jairaj stated, “It is a vital marketplace for us. Now we have recognized 4 key pillars which incorporates enhancing our product vary, rising our community and enterprise a sequence of brand name constructing workouts to develop volumes right here.”
Jairaj declined to reveal Citroen’s market share goal in India for the mid-term however asserted that the corporate is dedicated to the Indian market.
“You will note steady updates from the product perspective. We need to additional construct on the C-Dice platform (and introduce extra merchandise). We’re engaged on establishing a complete 200 gross sales and repair contact factors over the subsequent one yr, from the present 58. It will assist us cowl 80% of the market in India and set the muse for the subsequent section of progress past 2025-2026”, he stated. Citroen not too long ago introduced contemporary investments of Rs 2,000 crore in India for varied initiatives together with introducing new autos with petrol in addition to electrical powertrains.Jairaj stated the corporate desires to remain on the forefront of the EV phase within the nation. “We’re among the many high 5 EV manufacturers in India and we are going to make sure that we’re on the forefront on this phase. Electrical autos thrive in cease and go site visitors. If we will overcome the preliminary hurdle of vary nervousness amongst clients right here, there is no such thing as a motive why they need to not go for electrical given glorious whole price of possession”, he stated.
Citroen India presently sells the C3 hatchback with petrol and electrical powertrain choices. It launched SUV C3 Aircross final yr to problem Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Hyundai Creta, amongst others. However these merchandise have thus far met with restricted success.
The fourth mannequin can be launched later this calendar yr.
Citroen has invested Euros 100 million to localise the C-Dice platform for growing three fashions to cater to particular necessities of Indian patrons.
“The demographics of the Indian market the place 65% of shoppers are aged lower than 35 years current an enormous alternative to develop. Even when there are short-term blips, the demand momentum (out there right here) will stay. We positively must and can develop gross sales. However we intend to do the identical in a worthwhile method,” he stated.
