DS brand posts sales for first half, slightly lower than a year earlier.

• DS, the French premium brand, confirms its momentum with 63,800 cars sold in the first half of 2014
• Performance driven by China, which now accounts for 16% of overall sales
• DS brand facing up to challenges in Europe, where the premium market covered by DS is contracting
• DS brand is moving forward with the launch of a new front light signature for DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio, new limited editions, new engines and its first SUV for China in September

DS, THE FRENCH PREMIUM AUTOMOTIVE BRAND

DS officially became a stand-alone brand on 1 June, 2014 and has attracted 468,000 orders since the launch of the DS 3 in March 2010. 

The DS product range is composed of four models available worldwide – DS 3, DS 3 Cabrio, DS 4 and DS 5 – as well as DS 5LS, which was launched in China in March of this year. DS models stand apart due to their remarkable design, ultimate refinement, premium materials and advanced technology.

DS, A STRATEGY BASED ON VALUES

In the first half of the year, 63,800 DS cars were sold worldwide. The sales volumes, by region, vary when compared to the first half of 2013.

• In Europe (30 countries), 50,000 DS cars were registered, representing a decrease of just over 20% due to:
  • A very strong first half in 2013, when DS maintained its volumes in a contracting European market (-6.7%)
  • In addition, during the first five months of 2014, the premium market covered by DS was less dynamic (-1.7%) than the overall market (+6.6%)
  • In France, which is the DS brand’s primary market, the premium segment decreased 15%. Given this situation, DS is focusing its strategy on maintaining the value of its cars.

The highlights in the first half of the year centred on several new product actions, for example:

• Changes to DS 5, including a new suspension system, a new 6-speed automatic gearbox and two new engines (BlueHDi 180 and 120). These engines, are already compliant with the future Euro 6 standard, are powerful, fuel efficient and eco-friendly. DS 5 BlueHDi 180 with the 6-speed auto gearbox develops torque of 400Nm at 2,000 rpm and combined cycle fuel consumption of 64.2mpg and 116 g/km of CO₂. These figures are the best in the segment 
• The introduction of limited editions such as ‘DS 4 WiFi On Board’ in Italy, ‘DS 3 Dark Rose’ in Switzerland and France, and ‘DS 3 by Benefit’ in the UK
• Moreover, in May, DS 3 was voted ‘Best Small Car’ in the 2014 What Car? JD Power Survey in the UK with a customer satisfaction score of 79.3%.
• In China, the world’s largest and fastest growing automotive market, DS recently celebrated its second anniversary as a brand. DS sold 10,400 cars in the first half of 2014 vs. 1,000 in the first half of 2013. China now accounts for 16% of the overall sales of DS. This performance was driven by:
  • The development of its sales network, which now totals 60 dealerships
  • The local production of two cars, DS 5 and DS 5LS. During the past six months, 4,900 DS 5 were sold, in line with objectives. DS 5LS also had a promising start with 4,900 cars sold in 3 months.
• For the rest of the world, DS sold 3,500 vehicles in a market that is significantly down and greatly impacted by exchange rates. For example, the Eurasian market, which includes Russia and Ukraine, is down 9.5% and Latin America is down 9.2% (with particular significance in Argentina, - 24%).

DS CONTINUES ITS MOMENTUM

In the second half of 2014, there will be several new product developments, including:

• The arrival in showrooms of DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio with the new front light signature. The lights are technologically advanced with LED and Xenon technologies, plus new indicators with a scrolling action. This innovation is a world first and compliments the unique design of DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio
• A new automatic braking system called ‘Active City Brake’, which is a new PSA technology that works to avoid collisions in the urban environment
• New generation engines with BlueHDi 120 and 100. The second of which has a combined fuel consumption of 94mpg and CO₂ emissions of 79 g/km.
• New limited editions such as ‘DS 4 WiFi On Board’, which will be available from September in France 
• DS will launch its first SUV – DS 6WR – by the end of September in China
• Finally, the DS network continues its development and will have 100 dealerships in total by the end of the year in China. In parallel, the European network will include 50 DS dealers by the end of the year.

Appendix – DS sales results

	Worldwide sales
	H1 2013	H1 2014	Change
Europe	63,374	50,056	-21%
China – SE Asia	957	10,482	++
Rest of world	6,217	3,251	-48%

Benefit Cosmetics and Citroen team up for a third time, we have the DS3 DSign Noire.

• New Special Edition DS 3 DSign Noire by Benefit is on sale now, priced from £14,995
• The third Special Edition DS 3 designed in partnership with Benefit Cosmetics features in ‘Fast and Fabulous’ race at Silverstone
• DS 3 DSign Noire by Benefit launched in conjunction with new Benefit product; They’re Real! Gel Liner, the first gel liner in a pen

Citroën is delighted to reveal the third DS 3 by Benefit Special Edition, designed in partnership with Benefit Cosmetics UK.

Named DS 3 DSign Noire by Benefit, the latest model from the collaboration is on sale now and priced from £14,995. The new special edition joins the chic DS 3 DSign by Benefit, inspired by Benetint rosy lip and cheek stain, and the sassy DS 3 DStyle by Benefit, inspired by They’re Real!, the UK’s biggest selling mascara product.

DS 3 DSign Noire by Benefit is launched in conjunction with Benefit’s ground-breaking new product; They’re Real! Gel Liner, the first ever lash-hugging gel liner in a pen.

To welcome the latest DS 3 by Benefit Special Edition to the family, Citroën and Benefit teamed up for a ‘Fast and Fabulous’ race. Both cars and make-up were put through their paces by a team of Racers and Beauty Bloggers at Silverstone, the spiritual home of British motor racing. You can see the result of the ‘Fast and Fabulous’ race here:

http://youtu.be/gXTjhGdaTRE

DS 3 DSign Noire is based on the DSign by Benefit and features the efficient 1.2-litre VTi 82 manual powertrain; perfect for life in the big city. Taking style cues from Benefit’s They’re Real! Gel Liner, the latest DS 3 by Benefit Special Edition is designed to really stand out from the crowd.

DS 3 DSign Noire by Benefit makes a style statement down to the last detail. Featuring edgy 17” black “Bellone” alloy wheels and coordinating Perla Nera Black metallic bodywork, sports seats plus a unique and eye-catching grey fishnet graphic roof design, this is the little black dress of the car world.

As with the previous DS 3 by Benefit DSign and DStyle Special Editions, DS 3 DSign Noire features a colour scheme and finishing touches inspired by Benefit’s fun, fashionable and beautifully packaged make-up products.

DS 3 DSign Noire’s black bodywork is accentuated with Benefit Orange door mirrors and wheel centre caps. An iconic ‘Gabbi’s head’ Benefit logo is featured in grey on the ‘shark fin’ B pillars as well as a rear Benefit badge. They’re Real! Gel Liner’s chic and stylish design cues are carried over into the interior specification, with a grey ‘Gabbi’s head’ logo on the gloss black dash board. Mistral ‘Akinen’ Alcantara and Mistral Cloth sports seats and bespoke black velour floor mats, finished with Benefit Orange piping and a Benefit logo, complete the interior trim specification.

As well as striking design elements inspired by Benefit Cosmetics, DS 3 DSign Noire is offered with a generous specification of Citroën technology. LED Signature 3D effect rear tail lights and LED DRL’s with chrome front fog lights and grille, air conditioning and Connecting Box Bluetooth system with USB socket are fitted as standard. DS 3 DSign Noire also features a HiFi System Audio Upgrade as standard, which adds a dashboard mounted acoustic speaker and integrated subwoofer in the boot.                           

All DS 3 DSign Noire by Benefit models come with a make-up bag designed to fit into the glove box and filled with over £100 worth of Benefit cosmetics.

With prices starting from £14,995 OTR, DS 3 DSign Noire by Benefit offers the fun, fashion-forward driver the ultimate accessory to complement their statement style.

Driven by beauty: Citroen & Benefit Cosmetics debut DS3 Special Editions

• Citroën & Benefit Cosmetics unveil collaborative DS3 special editions
• Inspired by Benefit’s fun & iconic products, two models are available now with a third launched later in the summer
• The first two models are based on DSign & DStyle trim levels, priced from £14,795
• Launched with the first online car boutique on major fashion & beauty e-retailer ASOS

Citroën has revealed the first production model DS3 special editions designed in collaboration with Benefit Cosmetics.

On sale from today (12 March) and priced from £14,795, the glamorous DS3 by Benefit line-up consists of two models – based on the existing DSign and DStyle trim levels – which take inspiration from Benefit’s fun and iconic beauty products. A third Benefit special edition DS3 will be unveiled later in the summer.

In a retailing first, Citroën and Benefit have worked with ASOS – the UK's largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer – to create the first online car boutique, on a dedicated section of the site at www.asos.com/citroen. Visitors can explore the new DS3 by Benefit special editions, see the inspiration behind the styling, browse the fashion and accessories used in the adverts and even get in touch with Citroën to book a test drive.

DS3 DSIGN BY BENEFIT

Inspired by Benefits’ world renowned Benetint™ – their signature red lip and cheek stain – DS3 DSign by Benefit is powered by an efficient VTi 82 engine with a manual gearbox and is based on the DSign specification, but with added features.

The body is finished in Ruby Red metallic paint with a white roof and door mirrors, along with dark tinted rear windows, chrome detailing and 17” white alloy wheels.

The chic styling continues inside with a white dashboard, air vent surrounds and gear stick cap; bespoke black velour carpet mats with red piping and red Benefit logo, and aluminium pedals. A generous specification includes day-time running LED lights, air conditioning and a Connecting Box with Bluetooth^®and USB connectivity. The luxury feel is further reinforced with attractive, stylish and sophisticated Alcantara trim on the sports seats.

DS3 DSTYLE BY BENEFIT

Inspired by ‘They’re Real!’™ – the UK’s best-selling mascara – DS3 DStyle by Benefit is powered by a sporty VTi 120 manual and is based on the well-specified DStyle Plus trim.

The outside is resplendent in a distinctive metallic grey, with Benefit Orange on the roof, door mirrors and wheel centre caps. 17” black alloy wheels and dark tinted rear windows complete the dynamic styling.

Inside, the cabin is seductive with a gloss black dashboard, air vent surrounds and gear stick cap; bespoke black velour carpet mats with orange piping and orange Benefit logo, and aluminium pedals. These features are greatly enhanced by the luxurious Alcantara trim on the sports seats, which further adds to the car’s undeniable aesthetic appeal.

A City Signature pack includes automatic digital air conditioning, automatically illuminating headlamps, automatic rain sensitive wipers, rear parking sensors, electrically heated and folding door mirrors, an electrochrome rear view mirror, interior mood lighting and a front central armrest. The Connecting Box system (Bluetooth^® and USB) is also fitted.

DS3 DSign and DStyle by Benefit are available from £14,795 and £16,795 respectively. The addition of Benefit beauty products and a special make up bag designed to fit in the glove box with every model enhances the allure of this truly enchanting car – the ultimate accessory.

On both models, a Benefit logo badge signatures the rear, whilst the company’s trademark ‘Gabbi’s head’ motif appears on the ‘shark fin’ B pillars and the body colour-coordinated key fob.

Benefit Cosmetics Managing Directors, Ian Marshall & Gail Bojarski added: “Following the overwhelmingly positive response to ‘DS3 by Benefit concept’, which was launched at the end of last year, we are very excited with plans to launch a whole series of limited edition ‘Benefit’ DS3’s. With Citroën we have found a partner that shares our forward thinking vision and who also likes to do things differently. To launch the series, we are delighted to be partnering with ASOS to create the world’s first online car boutique!

“Now girls can buy their favourite Benefit products, shop the trends and book a test drive in the hottest car on the road, all in one click.”

Jules Tilstone, Marketing Director at Citroën UK added: “Following the overwhelming response to our DS3 by Benefit concept that we showcased last year, we’re delighted to be launching these road-ready special editions. Working with such a fun and enthusiastic company as Benefit has been a terrific experience and we look forward to introducing new audiences to the style and charm of Citroën DS3 with these collaboration models – the height of four-wheel-fashion.”

ABOUT BENEFIT COSMETICS

Benefit Cosmetics was founded in the USA in 1976 by twins Jean and Jane Ford; models and makeup artists who opened a makeup boutique in San Francisco called The Face Place. Today, Benefit Cosmetics is a global brand with a presence in over 40 countries and a cult following among models, makeup artists, celebrities and rockstars.

Embodying a fun and playful persona with a ‘tongue in chic’ approach, the Benefit brand prides itself on taking a ‘different’ approach with irreverent product names, creative packaging and a feel good philosophy.