Citroen climbs the ladder with a better result in the 2015 Auto Express Driver Power survey results.

The 2015 Auto Express Driver Power dealer rankings survey has produced a strong set of results for Citroën in sales, aftersales and overall customer satisfaction. The survey measured responses of 60,988 car owners, across 200 different models. 

Relating to factors such as the atmosphere and helpfulness offered in showrooms and service centres, to vehicle performance, reliability and practicality. Citroën’s ranking climbed six places from 2014, with a satisfaction rating of 85.72%.

The results showed an improved experience across the board for Citroën customers, with satisfaction regarding key vehicle ownership factors such as fuel economy and reliability performing well alongside the overall customer experience.  

Citroën customers rated their satisfaction with the fuel efficiency of their vehicles as above average compared to the other manufacturers surveyed. In terms of reliability, survey respondents named this as one of the most important factors contributing to a satisfactory ownership experience. Nearly 30% of Citroën customers identified reliability as the best thing about their car.

As well as rating customer ownership experiences, satisfaction with purchasing and servicing was also assessed. Citroën franchised dealership scores climbed 11 places up to 6^th overall for sales, and up 15 places to 9^th for aftersales.

Bekir Hassan, Citroën Brand Director, commented on the results, saying, “The results published today in this highly influential survey are really good news for Citroën. It’s important that we review independent feedback like the Auto Express Driver Power survey to see where we’re doing well and what we can improve on. 

This year’s results illustrate that this process is working, with improvements across the board for Citroën.”

The full results of the Driver Power survey can be found in the 29 July special issue of Auto Express.

PSA Peugeot-Citroen-DS to build a new facility in Morocco which follows Renault building African Sales.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen plans to build a car factory in Morocco as part of an effort to increase its sales in Africa, following in the footsteps of French rival Renault, two people familiar with the matter said.

The plant would initially have a capacity of fewer than 100,000 vehicles a year, and PSA may announce the project publicly as early as June, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the talks are private.

The first Moroccan-assembled vehicles would come from the middle to lower portion of PSA's product range and be sold in the region, the people said.

PSA's sales in Africa and the Middle East dropped 25 percent last year to 169,400 vehicles. That was 5.8 percent of its total sales.

Once its factory is built, PSA would still have less than a third of the Moroccan production capacity of Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan. 

The French-Japanese alliance's 1 billion-euro ($1.11 billion) plant in Tangier builds low-cost Dacia-branded models such as the Sandero hatchback, the Dokker small van and the Lodgy wagon. Renault also opened a factory near Oran, Algeria, late last year, which could build as many as 75,000 units a year.

Morocco is familiar territory for PSA chief executive Carlos Tavares, who helped oversee Renault's ramping up of its factory in Tangier in his previous role as Renault's director of operations.

The new factory would be the first wholly owned and operated by PSA in Africa. PSA signed an agreement last year with Nigerian manufacturer PAN Nigeria Ltd. to assemble its 301 compact car in Kaduna, and eventually perhaps also the larger 508 sedan and the 308 hatchback.

PSA, Europe's second-biggest carmaker after Volkswagen, is seeking to lower its reliance on its home region. The Paris-based company sold about 60 percent of its vehicles in Europe last year.

Pierre-Olivier Salmon, a PSA spokesman, declined to comment.

REPORT HERE

UK SALES - CITROEN & DS - Continued growth for the French giant with a raft of new metal.

• Citroën & DS in the UK record over 110,000 car & van sales in 2014
• Combined car & van sales up 9.2% compared to 2013
• DS 3 is most popular model, selling 19,977 units in 2014
• Four successful new model launches in 2014 contribute to growing sales & improved residual values

In 2014, Citroën and DS sold 110,625 new cars and LCVs in the UK, delivering a sales increase of 9.2% on 2013 thanks, in part, to its growing range of award-winning products.

Passenger car sales for the two brands increased by 6.4% to 83,397, with a significant contribution from three highly successful new car launches during the year – Grand C4 Picasso, New C1 and C4 Cactus. The premium DS 3 continues its run as the most popular choice for buyers across the Citroën and DS ranges, with 19,977 sales last year (incl. Cabrio).

The Grand C4 Picasso, New C1 and C4 Cactus represent a new positioning for the Citroën brand, with an even greater emphasis on eye-catching design, greater comfort and more useful technology, as well as excellence in terms of the customer ownership experience. As a result, more Retail customers have been attracted to the brands’ showrooms, with Retail sales up 9.0% to 35,629 registrations.

The combination of growing sales in 2014 and a multiple award-winning product range reflects the rising desirability and appeal of Citroën and DS models, which in turn helps to deliver increasingly competitive residual values across both ranges.

Last year’s results are particularly encouraging in the context of New Citroën C4 Cactus only going on sale in September 2014. That means 2015 will be the first full year of sales for the striking new model – which is just one of the seven 2015 European Car of the Year finalists and was recently voted BBC TopGear Magazine’s ‘Hatchback of the Year’.  

Citroen and DS knows how to celebrate Christmas with these fun items.

• DS World Paris launches range of Christmas gifts, including chauffeur-driven experiences in a classic DS
• DS gift ideas also available in the UK through the web store at 
• https://webstore.citroen.co.uk/

DS World Paris is showcasing a host of unique, original and sophisticated gift ideas for Christmas. Themed gifts from DS World Paris include chauffeur-driven tours through the city in a classic DS, offering an opportunity to discover the ‘city of light’ on board this legendary car.

EXCLUSIVE TO DS WORLD PARIS

DS World Paris is offering two experiences on board the legendary vehicle. ‘Eternal Paris’ and ‘Romantic Paris’ experiences offer an opportunity to discover the magic of Christmas in a classic DS, in the company of a chauffeur-guide.

THIS BAG COSTS NEARLY £800.00 

WHAT A TOTAL AND UTTER RIP OFF

Ideal for couples or for nostalgic fans of Paris, and the DS, these gift experiences are available exclusively at DS World Paris.

Also available exclusively from DS World Paris, the ‘Midnight Platinium’ candle by Marianne Guedin transports the senses into a pastoral and elegant world. Available in a limited edition of 100 examples, each candle is numbered and signed by Marianne Guedin.

AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW

Designed by the DS Styling Centre, the DS weekend bag illustrates the DS brand’s expertise. Made entirely of full-grain calfskin leather, its sophisticated look and elegant finish are inspired by haute couture. The leather features a delicately-traced DS monogram in relief.

The DS ladies’ watch is a model of understated elegance and smooth curves. This modern, sophisticated accessory expresses the feminine side of the DS spirit, just in time for Christmas.

What child has not dreamed of driving a real car? DS has designed pedal-driven and ride-on children’s DS vehicles – including the striking DS 3 – which are sure to enchant younger drivers. Both cars feature the same distinctive details as their larger siblings, including DS badges and shark’s fin styling ques.

Citroen posts imporved sales worldwide, with Europe showing large gains.

• The rebound in Citroën’s sales that began in 2013 continued in the first half of 2014, with 7% growth worldwide
• The recovery in Europe, where the market grew by 6.6%, got a strong boost from the 10% increase in Citroën sales, its best performance in over 10 years
• China remained Citroën’s largest market and the main front in its international offensive. China accounts for a quarter of the brand’s sales, with Dongfeng Citroën’s growth of 16% outpacing the market’s 13% gain
• A key factor in these strong results is the success of the New Citroën C4 Picasso, with 127,000 units sold since launch, and the New C-Elysée, a saloon spearheading the brand’s international offensive, which boasts 120,000 sales since launch
• These trends will continue in the second half thanks in particular to the launch of the C4 Cactus and the New C1, which have already achieved orders exceeding objectives

The global car market expanded by approximately 4% in the first six months of the year, with two major regions – Europe and China – the main drivers of this growth.

Citroën sold 624,000 vehicles worldwide in this period, up 7% on the first half of 2013. The biggest contributors to this performance were China and Europe, two key markets for Citroën that account for a full 85% of its worldwide sales. Moreover, Citroën outperformed the market in these two countries.

2014 FIRST HALF RESULTS 

BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION:

Europe (30 countries): after shrinking for several years, the market rebounded 7% during the first six months of 2014. The brand took full advantage of this recovery by focusing on the most profitable distribution channels.

Its sales were up 10%, outpacing the overall growth in these markets. The performance was Citroën’s best in Europe in over ten years and the brand increased its market share by 0.2%, to reach 4.8%.

• In France (the No. 2 market), Citroën sales rose by 8%, outpacing the market’s 3% gain and increasing the brand’s market share by 0.6%, to 12.2%.
• In the UK (No. 3), where the market grew by 11%, the brand reported 15% growth and a 0.1% gain in market share to 3.1%.
• In Spain (No. 4), Citroën sales were up 28%, exceeding the market’s 20% gain and increasing the brand’s market share to 7.3% (+0.5%).
• In Italy (No. 5), Citroën saw its sales rise by 1% in a market that expanded by 4%, with its market share standing at 4.1% (-0.1%).
• In Germany (No. 6), where the market was up 3%, Citroën’s sales rose by 7.5% and its market share by 0.1% to 1.7%.

Sales outside Europe accounted for 38% of the brand’s global sales volume, with the situation varying from region to region.

• In China & South East Asia, the market was up 10% overall, with China driving the growth. Citroën set a new record in that country with more than 160,000 invoices in the first half of the year, a gain of 16% in a market that grew by 13%. The world’s No. 1 car market remained Citroën’s leading market as well. China alone accounts for two thirds of the brand’s sales outside Europe and 25% of its total sales.
  This performance is the outcome of a highly successful product offensive:
  
  
  - The New Citroën C-Elysée, launched in September 2013, is already established as the joint venture’s new bestseller, with more than 62,000 invoices since launch, including 46,000 since the start of the year.
  
  
  - The C4 L, introduced in January 2013, is selling briskly too, with a total of 92,000 invoices.
  These included 35,000 in the first half of 2014, an increase of 75%.

These positive trends are reflected in the rapid expansion of the Dongfeng Citroën network, which had 442 dealerships at the end of June, with a target of 470 by year-end. The network is also recognised for top-quality sales service, with Dongfeng Citroën ranking No. 1 in JD Power’s 2014 Sales Satisfaction survey for new-vehicle purchases.

• In Latin America, Citroën is managing to strengthen its positions despite market pressures.
  
  
  - In Brazil (the No. 7 market), where the market shrank by 7%, Citroën maintained its share of 1.8%, thanks in particular to the C4 L (called C4 Lounge locally), which already ranks among the six best-selling mid-range saloons in the country, just a few months after its launch in September 2013.
  
  
  - In Argentina (No. 9), in a difficult context of high taxes and strong pressure on prices, Citroën sales decreased by 24%, as did the market. The brand’s penetration held steady at 4.5%.
  
  
• In Eurasia, where Russia is the primary market, the current crisis is affecting car sales
  
  
  - In Russia (No. 10), the crisis, along with the Rouble’s decline and rising prices, is having a negative impact on the car market, which contracted by 8% in the first half of the year. Owing to these factors, Citroën chose to maintain margins and lost 0.1% in market share, to 0.8%.
  
  
  - In Ukraine, where Citroën has had a subsidiary since 2010, the crisis is also having a strong impact on the car market, which decreased by a substantial 43%. Citroën’s sales fell 54% in the country.
  
  
• In the Middle East & Africa, the situation is also difficult, with the market depressed and exchange rates unfavourable to the brand, which focused efforts on maintaining its margins.
  
  
  - In Turkey, the market was down 26% and Citroën’s market share decreased 1%, to 2.8%.
  
  
  - In Algeria, the scenario was the same, with the market down 28%. The brand’s market share shrank there too, decreasing by 0.8% to 3%.

BY PRODUCT:

• New C4 Picasso: launched in June 2013 in its five-seat form and in September 2013 with seven seats, has already achieved more than 127,000 sales, including 69,000 since the start of the year. The leading compact MPV at end of May, the appeal of the ‘Technospace’ is also reflected in the strong product mix, with the two highest trim levels accounting for two thirds of orders.
• New C3: after a production disruption in 2013, this model, which was restyled last year, has reclaimed its place as the bestseller in the Citroën range worldwide, with over 106,000 sales during the first half, an increase of almost 30%.
• New C-Elysée: over 120,000 units of this three-box saloon specially designed for fast-growing markets have been sold since its launch (end-2012 in Turkey and Maghreb), including more than half in China, where it has been on sale since September 2013. Worldwide sales have more than doubled compared with first-half results 2013.
• LCV range: Citroën’s range of top-performing and complementary light commercial vehicles, extending from Nemo to the recently renewed Relay, fully satisfies the needs of business and fleet professionals. In Europe, Citroën LCV sales increased by 13%, outperforming the market growth (10%), boosting the brand’s market share by 0.3% to 10.6% and enabling the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group to retain its leadership in this market.

OUTLOOK FOR SECOND HALF OF 2014

The brand will sustain its momentum in the second half of the year with:

• The Citroën C4 Cactus and the New C1, two new models illustrating Citroën’s renewal, which feature more compelling design, more comfort, and more useful technology, with a controlled budget. Initial orders for these cars following their June launch are already exceeding objectives (7,000 for C4 Cactus and 4,500 for New C1). This quick start bodes well for the upcoming rollout of these models in more countries.
• The New Citroën Relay, with new features and more equipment than ever to meet professionals’ needs.
• The launch of a new SUV in China, prefigured by the Citroën C-XR concept unveiled at the Beijing motor show last April.
• A technological offensive, with increasingly efficient engines. In the petrol line-up, after the PureTech 130 Stop & Start version offered on the Citroën C4 since the spring, the PureTech range will be expanded with a 110 Stop & Start version on the C4 Cactus. As for the diesels, this model will also be the first powered by the new BlueHDi 100 engine (91.1mpg and 82g CO₂/km).
• In the constant effort to enhance the customer experience, the innovative ‘Citroën & You’ service approach will be rolled out in the brand’s network starting in September to give customers an even greater sense of transparency and more peace-of-mind. 

Appendix– Citroën sales results

			PC + LCV market share
			H1 2013	H1 2014		Difference
Europe (30 countries)			4.7%		4.8%	+0.2 pt
China & SE Asia		China	1.9%		2%	+0.1 pt
Latin America		Brazil	1.9%		1.8%	=
		Argentina	4.5%		4.5%	=
Eurasia		Russia	1%		0.8%	-0.1 pt
		Ukraine	1.9%		1.5%	-0.4 pt
Africa & Middle East		Turkey	3.8%		2.8%	-1 pt
		Algeria	3.7%		3.0%	-0,8 pt

			PC+LCV registrations (in thousands)
			H1 2013	H1 2014	Evolution
Europe (30 countries)			337	371	+10.1%
China & SE Asia	China (PC invoices)		137	160	+16.3%
Latin America	Brazil		32	29	-8.4%
	Argentina		22	16	-24%
Eurasia	Russia		13	10	-18.8%
	Ukraine		2	1	-54.4%
Africa & Middle East	Turkey		14	8	-46.1%
	Algeria		10	5	-43.8%