Citroën Focusing on China in 2014 with Three New Models

CitroënCitroënFrance, 1919 > present94 models
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is using the DS brand to launch a whole new range of cars in China in the next 12 months. It will start with the DS 5LSDS DS 5 LS THP 200France, 2014 > present sedan and following with two other models, including an SUV. All the models will be built at a new dedicated DS factory in Shenzhen, China.

"During the down turn we went through some difficult times, and we had to prioritize certain projects. We had to back the investment in China, as the whole business is far too reliant on Europe,” said Citroën Managing Director Frederic Banzet.

The upcoming SUV will have styling closely based on the Wild RubisDS DS Wild RubisFrance, 2013 > 2013 that was shown at the Shanghai Auto Show last year. Like the DS 5LS, there is no final decision whether the truck will eventually go on sale in Europe.

"The decision has not been made yet, but there is more capacity in Shenzhen if we start to sell higher volumes," said Banzet.

The final new model will be an executive sedan for China based on the Numero 9 concept.

Citroën plans to build many future models in China and export them to Europe. The import duties are high, but labor costs are low, which means the price will only increase slightly over European-built models. For example, the successor to the C5Citroën C5 Gen.2France, 2007 > present117 versions
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will likely be built in China because the D-segment sedan market in Europe has shrunk so far.

Citroën plans to have over 100 dealers in China by the end of 2014.

Source: Auto Express