During my recent visit to a Citroen dealership in NCR, I has the opportunity to collect some interesting insights from the sales team. Mostly, the staffers insisted on a two-fold approach to boost the popularity of the new Hyundai Creta-rival
A recent visit to a Citroen dealership has revealed some interesting details. It was here during this visit that I was told about the feedback potential customers have for the C3 Across. Apparently, there is a huge demand for the automatic version of the C3 Aircross. In fact, the potential buyers are also demanding the addition of more features. That is in line with what the customers get from rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara among others. Citroen is following an SUV-offensive strategy in India with models like the C3, C3 Aircross and C5 Aircross. This is in consideration of the landscape at the moment where people are flocking to buy SUVs over other body types. During the media test drives, I found out the Citroen C3 Aircross to be pretty good to drive. It even has one of the most practical cabins at that price point. However, some additional equipment is certainly the need of the hour. And this is exactly what the customers reiterate. Let us take a look at the details of my findings from the recent visit.
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Citroen C3 Aircross Automatic
The Citroen C3 Aircross was recently showcased at the Indonesian Auto Show. Incidentally, it will be offered with a sole automatic transmission in the Indonesian market. That is the opposite of India. Here, we get the mid-size SUV with just the manual. However, during the test drive, I was told that the automatic version is certainly in the pipeline. Meanwhile, the dealership staffers unequivocally state that the buyers are looking for an automatic version. They are, in fact, even looking for the addition of more features. For instance, one of the sales team members stressed upon how people are finding it hard to believe that there is no sunroof or a push button start. While the addition of automatic transmission might happen soon, we shall have to wait to know if the French carmaker has any plans to work on the features list.
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Specs
Currently, the Citroen C3 is equipped with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 110 hp and 190 Nm of peak power and torque. It currently comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. The car boasts an impressive ARAI-certified fuel efficiency rating of 18.5 km/l. It shares its foundation with the C3, as both are built on the same CMP architecture. The ex-showroom prices for the Citroen C3 range from Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 12.54 lakh.
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What We Think
Citroen being a new carmaker in India, needs to have some strong products to establish itself well in our market. As of now, it’s offering 4 distinctive SUVs that have some great USPs. This lot, which includes the premium C5 Aircross, C3 micro SUV, e-C3 electric SUV and C3 Aircross, post a three-digit cumulative sale every month. However, compared to the prominent rivals in this segment, one could argue that the features list on the C3 Aircross (and even on the C3) is not as extensive. Also, the lack of multiple powertrain and transmission options could hurt its sales too. The dealership staff kept telling me that If the French automaker works on these two aspects, it might experience a strong boost in its sales. We might see the automatic trim by the end of this year or early next year.
