Citroen sales seeing negative growth in China
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In 2007, PSA Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Auto sold 207,000 vehicles, up 2.95% year on year, including 92,200 Dongfeng Peugeot cars and 115,000 Dongfeng Citroen cars. The sales of Citroen last year was far from the target. In the first nine months this year, the sales of Dongfeng Citroen models only reached 78,000 units, and it is unlikely for this brand to have any sales recovery for the rest of the year.
An insider from the joint venture said that the negative growth of Dongfeng Citroen's sales is related to the restructuring of the manufacturer, which cut off the intermediate process last year to build up the consumer satisfaction. In addition, the sales system of Dongfeng Citroen has also left much to be desired in the current sluggish market if the Citroen brand expects a breakthrough in this year's sales.
Global sales of Citroen cars had seen a growth period in 2007 while its China sales (of 115,000 units) recorded negative growth, a disturbing trend that has carried over into this year to date. The 78,000 Dongfeng Citroen cars sold in China from January to September 2008 include C-Triomphe, Fukang, Elysee, C2 and Picasso models.
The China-made Citroen 4 (C4) model went on sale in China on August 25, priced at 108,000 yuan ($15,800) to 168,000 yuan for different specifications and configurations. The Grand C4 Picasso, an all-new Citroen model that has been well received globally, will be imported to the China market in December this year.
Earlier this year Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroen lowered this year's sales target to 110,000 units from 175,000. The joint venture's vice general manager Tang Teng said he has no hope of fulfilling the sales target for 2008.
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