Ranked sixth in European sales in January 2025, the new Citroën C3 is off to a promising start. With a modernised platform and an extended range, it is attracting a great deal of interest, even though its range is not yet complete, with the hybrid version only arriving in May. While the previous generation was produced exclusively in Trnava, Slovakia, this fourth version will be assembled in a second plant in Europe, in Serbia, alongside the Fiat Grande Panda.
Trnava, a factory specialising in compacts
The Stellantis plant in Trnava, Slovakia, has long been a hub for the production of compact models. It has always produced city cars and mid-size saloons for several of the Group's brands, including the Citroën C3, C3 Picasso and Peugeot 208. Since 2024, it has focused exclusively on models based on the new STLA Smart platform, which powers the Citroën C3, the new C3 Aircross and the Opel Frontera. These vehicles, designed to achieve high sales volumes, fully utilise the production capacity of the Slovak plant, which is already operating at full capacity. Given this saturation, expanding production to a second plant is a logical strategy.
Production now split between Slovakia and Serbia
The second production site for the Citroën C3 has started up in Serbia, at the Stellantis plant in Kragujevac. This plant already produces the Fiat Grande Panda, a model based on the same STLA Smart platform. The integration of the Citroën C3 into this production line is not only a response to the commercial success of the model, but also the result of a long-term strategic decision by Stellantis. By diversifying its production sites, the group is improving its industrial flexibility, enabling it to quickly adapt volumes to market demand.
The choice of Kragujevac is part of a comprehensive capacity optimisation plan for Stellantis. The plant has benefited from significant investments to modernise its infrastructure and adapt it to the production of electric models. The Citroën C3 electric car, eagerly awaited by many European customers, is part of this plan and will be rolled out from this plant in the coming months.
With two factories dedicated to its production, the new Citroën C3 is set to become a real bestseller. This strategy allows Stellantis to ensure a more flexible distribution of volumes and to better meet growing demand. With February sales figures expected to be eagerly awaited, the C3 could well provide some new surprises. The answer will be revealed in a few days...
Beyond its commercial performance, this dual production site demonstrates the ambition of Citroën and Stellantis to anchor their strategy in the long term. The expansion of industrial capacity provides additional security of supply and ensures that the brand can meet customer expectations without undue delays. If this momentum continues, the Citroën C3 could become one of the main pillars of the European city car market. Watch this space!
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