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Citroen C3 Aircross Achieves Export Milestone, Outshines In India
The French carmaker's latest and fourth offering in India, the C3 Aircross, performs significantly better in exports than in the domestic market. The vehicle accounts for 73% of Citroen India's 1,388 passenger vehicles shipped overseas during the first quarter of FY2025.
Citroen India is preparing for the global reveal of its Basalt crossover coupe in August 2024. The company has seen growing export demand for its made-in-India products, especially the C3 Aircross SUV. In the first three months of FY2025, Citroen exported a total of 1,388 units, surpassing its domestic sales of 1,258 units by 130 units.
Export Performance
In Q1 FY2025, Citroen India's export numbers showed a robust 97% year-on-year increase from April to June 2023, rising from 703 units to 1,388 units. This total includes 1,019 C3 Aircross SUVs, 330 units of the C3 and eC3 hatchbacks, and 39 units of the yet-to-be-launched Basalt.
Since entering the Indian market in FY2022, Citroen has exported a cumulative total of 4,870 made-in-India passenger vehicles. This includes 204 units in FY2023, 3,278 in FY2024, and 1,388 in Q1 FY2025. The April-June 2024 export performance already represents 42% of Citroen India's FY2024 exports (3,278 units), with the C3 Aircross accounting for a significant portion at 73%.
Domestic Market Challenges
The C3 Aircross faces stiff competition in India's midsize SUV segment. Launched with a high localisation rate at Rs 999,000, it competes against established models like Hyundai Creta and Maruti Grand Vitara. Despite its strong suspension setup and drivetrain, it lacks convenience features such as automatic climate control and passive-entry systems.
In India’s domestic market since its launch in September 2023, the C3 Aircross has sold a total of 2,138 units. This includes 1,784 units sold in FY2024 and an additional 354 units from April to June 2024. The vehicle is currently Citroen India's third best-selling product domestically after the C3 petrol (483 units) and eC3 (420 units) hatchbacks.
Competitive Landscape
The midsize SUV segment where the C3 Aircross competes is highly competitive. Rivals include the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Kia Seltos, and Honda Elevate among others. Despite its unique features like a punchy turbo-petrol engine and innovative seating configuration that offers a large boot space when folded flat.
However, consumer sentiment towards the C3 Aircross is dampened by its limited dealership network and service support. Additionally lacking advanced features such as sunroof and Level-1 ADAS compared to competitors further impacts its perceived value among buyers.
"The company's first product launched in India in FY2022," said an industry expert. "The C5 Aircross has sold just one unit over the past three months."
As Citroen continues to expand its footprint globally with new models like the Basalt crossover-coupe set for an August reveal next year; it remains to be seen how these strategies will impact both domestic sales figures alongside their growing export success story.
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