The previous generation C3 had been a constant success throughout its career, until a brilliant first half in 2024 ended its career in apotheosis. These good performances put a heavy burden on the shoulders of the fourth generation, which it seems to be carrying with grace as its sales are increasing in Europe and are still accelerating since it entered the top 10 sales in January 2025.
Sustained growth
New silhouette, more SUV, new design language, new positioning... It can be said that Citroën did not play the safety card with the new generation C3 and took the risk of starting from scratch to offer an SUV sedan with a unique attitude in its segment. But taking risks can pay off, as the new C3 outperformed its predecessor in Europe in November and December, showing that the handover between the two generations, although disrupted by software problems, is now well and truly over.
So much so that in January 2025, the C3 performed well throughout Europe, coming sixth in overall sales and third in its segment.
In fact, with 15,524 units sold, its sales increased by 2%, which may seem small, but compared to sales in January 2024, when the C3 enjoyed growth of over 50%, the basis for comparison was a little skewed, but nevertheless the new generation manages to do even better, even though sales of the Sandero, Clio and Yaris are down, only the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa are doing better, but their performance in January 2024 was less unfavourable than that of the C3.
Still great potential
The good performance of the new C3, which is up by a quarter compared to the previous generation, seems to indicate that it is finding its audience, despite the Citroën bashing that has been in full swing, with the media having a field day repeating the problems. But above all, this performance comes despite the fact that the hybrid version is not yet available for delivery, it will be in May 2025. Knowing that hybrid vehicles represent almost 45% of sales on European soil, it is easy to understand that the growth potential for the C3 is still enormous and that the position it occupies today does not accurately reflect the potential it has...could it dethrone the Sandero, which was number 1 in sales in January with a 15% drop? Only the future will tell, but it is clear that Citroën's decision to offer a new C3 that is much more accessible than the old one, without compromising on style or comfort, seems to be the right one.
With an increase in sales compared to an excellent January 2024, we can say that the new C3 seems to be following in the footsteps of the previous generation and this success is being confirmed month after month. Especially as the growth potential for the new C3 is still enormous with the imminent arrival of the hybrid version, not to mention the arrival, during the year, of an electric version under €20,000, excluding government aid, which will make Citroën the pioneer of accessible electric, the C3 arriving in 2025 while the future Renault Twingo will wait until 2026 and Volkswagen 2027 with the ID1, both smaller than the C3.
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