PSA Group to re-enter India with Citroen brand

French car conglomerate PSA Group has announced that it will come to India with the Citroen brand. The first Citroen model for India is slated to go on sale before end-2021, PSA stated. Today's announcement comes a little over two years after the parent company of Peugeot, Citroën and DS cars expressed intent to return to India through a joint venture with the CK Birla Group.

The Group's plan to enter India is part of its efforts to expand to newer markets. France’s Citroen is known for its high quality, albeit quirkily-styled cars. PSA also said that the Citroen range meets the new industry norms that will come into force in India starting later this year.  

There was no announcement on the range of cars that will be launched under the Citroen brand. A Citroen C5 Aircross SUV was spotted testing recently though it’s unclear if the model will be a part of the carmaker’s India line-up. Notably, Peugeot had a presence in India in the 1990s during which time it used to sell the 309 sedan.

At the announcement of the annual results for the group, Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing board, PSA Group said, "We have selected Citroen as brand for our India comeback. We have already invested and created manufacturing footprint in India. We have a powertrain plant, a vehicle plant and a partner in India and we are now building a network to support the launch of this new brand in the country." 

PSA has established a facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu to manufacture and supply powertrains and transmission units for global and domestic automotive markets. The PSA Group has plans to increase sales outside of Europe by 50 percent by the end of 2021. To achieve that, it plans to launch Peugeot in the North American market, Citroen in India and Opel in Russia.

"We are very proud to launch Citroën in India, one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Building on the brand's success in Europe with 5 consecutive years of growth, I am convinced that Citroën’s selling proposition of unique styling, eco-friendly and comfortable cars at the heart of the market has all the potential to satisfy Indian customers," Linda Jackson, Citroën Chief Executive Officer said.