| Citroën India | |
| Type: | Joint venture |
| Industry: | Automotive |
| Foundation: | 2019 |
| Location: | Tiruvallur, Chennai |
| Products: | Automobiles |
| Owner: | Citroën |
| Parent: | Stellantis N.V. |
Established in 1919, Citroën is a French automobile brand owned by Stellantis. Citroën was part of the PSA Group before Stellantis N.V. was formed in 2021 on the basis of a merger between Peugeot S.A. (Groupe PSA) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA).
In 2019, the erstwhile PSA group launched the Citroën brand in India along with manufacturing operations through a vehicle assembly plant in Thiruvallur and a powertrain facility in Hosur (both via JVs with CK Birla Group). Consequently, the Stellantis group has increased its investment in the JVs with CK Birla and is now a majority shareholder . The Thiruvallur facility produces the C5 Aircross SUV, C3 & E-C3 for Citroën India. The Hosur plant builds gearboxes primarily for exports and manufactures engines for domestic needs and exports.
The launch of the Citroën brand in India was the third attempt by Groupe PSA to enter the Indian market.[1] During the presentation of FY18 results of Groupe PSA, the chairman confirmed that Citroën was the chosen brand to enter the Indian markets.[2]
Groupe PSA had signed two joint ventures with companies of India's CK Birla Group for vehicle assembly, distribution and powertrain manufacturing of its cars in the country.[3] The French carmaker was initially supposed to enter the Indian market in 2020. However, the plan was delayed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.[4]
Prior to launching the India-spec C5 Aircross SUV, Citroën India's research revealed that comfort is critical criteria for new car buyers in India.[5] Production of the C5 Aircross had started in January 2021[6] at the Tiruvallur plant in Tamil Nadu. Groupe PSA has made an investment of around Rs.2500 crore to enter the Indian market.[7]
Citroën India is developing several models specifically for the Indian market, including EVs. The C5 Aircross was unveiled on 1 February 2021 and launched on 7 April 2021 in two variants: Feel and Shine, with single and dual tone interiors, equipped with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. According to reports, subsequent cars will not support a diesel engine.[8]
Citroën India revealed the C3 in September 2021 ahead of its India launch in the first half of 2022.[9] The C3 is the first of three models under Citroën's C-cubed program, and has been specifically developed for emerging markets like India and South America. The C3 is locally manufactured here in India with more than 90 percent localisation.[10]
In February 2023, Citroën India launched an electric variant of C3 under the name Ë-C3. The car was launched about 6 months after the C3's launch. Its stated range is 320km (200miles) per charge.[11]
| Model | Indian introduction | Current model | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction (model code) | Update (facelift) | ||||
| Hatchback | |||||
| C3 | 2022 | 2022 | – | ||
| ëC3 | 2023 | 2023 | – | ||
| SUV/crossover | |||||
| C3 Aircross | 2023 | 2023 | – | ||
| Basalt | 2024 | 2024 | – | ||
| C5 Aircross | 2021 | 2021 | 2022 | ||