Citroën DS5 Enters Production in China

CitroënCitroënFrance, 1919 > present94 models
5346 photos
11 videos
has begun production of the DS5DS DS5France, 2011 > present37 versions
70 photos
at its factory in Shenzhen, China, with its joint venture partner Changan.

The company is hoping to make the DS line popular in China as a premium brand. By building models there, Citroën avoids the 25% auto import tax on cars in China. It has been selling DS models in China for the last 15 months, but the DS5 is the first to be produced locally.

Because it launched over a year ago, Citroën will have 50 DS showrooms in China in 40 cities by the end of the year. The dealers all offer the DS3DS DS3France, 2010 > present99 versions
298 photos
, DS3 CabrioDS DS3 Cabrio 1.2 VTi CVM...France, 2013 > present72 photos
, DS4DS DS4France, 2011 > present65 versions
140 photos
and DS5. Citroën has found that the cars are especially popular among young, affluent buyers.

The flagship DS dealer is DS World on Nanjing Road in Shanghai, which is meant to show off the brand and French luxury goods.

Citroën will add two more Chinese-made DS models by the end of 2014 – a three-box sedan and SUV.