China sales: the Citroën C5 X, a gasoline maverick thriving in an electric kingdom

The latest wholesale automotive sales statistics for the Chinese market have just been released, and they confirm two major trends: continued impressive overall growth and an electrification that is accelerating at a breakneck pace. In this unique environment, where alternative powertrains reign supreme, Citroën's performance is noteworthy. The brand, carried almost exclusively by a single model, is managing to hold its own thanks to a Citroën C5 X whose trajectory continues to surprise. As the market overwhelmingly favors batteries, this gasoline-powered crossover is not just resisting; it is growing.

A record-breaking September, dominated by electrification

September 2025 will go down as a historic month for the automotive industry in China. With a total of 2,803,000 vehicles sold, the market saw 12% growth, marking a record month. This spectacular performance is directly linked to the surge of electrified vehicles (including BEVs and PHEVs). Accounting for 1.5 million units, their volume jumped by 22.4%, capturing over 53% of the total market. In this ultra-competitive arena, Citroën registered 1,596 vehicles, a decrease of 12%. However, this figure allows the brand to position itself ahead of its sister brand Peugeot, which recorded 953 sales with a sharp decline (-44.7%), as well as Škoda (1,220 units). Nearly this entire volume is delivered by the remarkable Citroën C5 X, which sold 1,354 units, experiencing a slight dip of 4.3% for the month. In parallel, it is interesting to note the performance of Leapmotor, a Stellantis partner, which is exploding onto the scene, climbing to 9th place in the market with nearly 60,000 units sold in September—a staggering increase of 84.6%.

Year-to-date, the Citroën C5 X confirms its unique appeal

Looking at the year-to-date performance, the picture is just as revealing. The Chinese market shows robust health with a 13.1% increase, totaling 20,845,000 units sold. Here again, electrified powertrains are the engine of this growth, with a 31.9% progression to reach 10,444,000 units, representing exactly 50% of the overall market. For Citroën, the year-to-date total stands at 14,116 units, down 6%, placing it behind Peugeot's 14,692 vehicles for the year. But the real highlight, the fact that defies the market's logic, is the Citroën C5 X. Over the first nine months of the year, the French crossover has registered 12,508 sales, which represents a growth of 7.1% compared to the same period last year. This achievement is all the more impressive as it occurs in a market where half of all buyers choose an electrified powertrain, while the C5 X is only offered locally with a single gasoline engine. This success speaks to the appeal of its bold design and unique concept, which manage to attract a discerning clientele despite an offering that runs counter to the dominant trends.

Conclusion: Citroën's future in China at a crossroads

The Chinese market continues its strong growth, both in September and throughout the year, cementing its status as the world's largest automotive market. Faced with this gigantic scale and rampant electrification, one can only lament Citroën's small market share. The brand today depends almost entirely on a single model. While the C5 X is working miracles given its offering is misaligned with local demand, it cannot single-handedly carry the brand's future in such a strategic territory. This raises a crucial question: what will become of Citroën in China once the C5 X reaches the end of its lifecycle? Conversely, could its remarkable performance in such a challenging context inspire the development of a second generation or a vehicle that shares the same bold philosophy? Only time will tell.