French automaker Citroen is revamping its technique to spice up its sluggish automotive gross sales in India.
A comparatively new entrant to the Indian automotive market, Citroen plans to improve its total portfolio, develop gross sales and repair community by over threefold, and launch a brand new car over the following one yr, Aditya Jairaj, managing director and CEO, Stellantis India advised 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 carried out intensive buyer clinics over the previous few 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 automotive markets because the pandemic, Jairaj stated, “It is a crucial marketplace for us. We’ve got recognized 4 key pillars which incorporates enhancing our product vary, rising our community and endeavor a collection of 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 notice steady updates from the product perspective. We wish to additional construct on the C-Dice platform (and introduce extra merchandise). We’re engaged on organising a complete 200 gross sales and repair contact factors over the following one yr, from the present 58. This can assist us cowl 80% of the market in India and set the inspiration for the following section of progress past 2025-2026”, he stated.
Citroen just lately introduced contemporary investments of INR 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 prime 5 EV manufacturers in India and we’ll be certain 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 prospects right here, there is no such thing as a purpose why they need to not go for electrical given wonderful whole value of possession”, he stated.
Citroen India at present 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 to this point met with restricted success.
The fourth mannequin will likely 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 customers are aged lower than 35 years current a large alternative to develop. Even when there are short-term blips, the demand momentum (available in the market 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.
