Citroën C3: a successful return to a transforming belgian market

After a long reign as one of the favorite models for Belgian drivers, the third-generation Citroën C3 naturally saw its sales slow down as its renewal approached. The highly anticipated arrival of the fourth generation therefore raised a crucial question: would the "voiture" with the chevrons manage to reclaim its top spot in a rapidly changing market? The figures for the first half of 2025 provide particularly encouraging answers and outline a promising trajectory for this flagship model.

A return to the podium for the Citroën C3

The initial sales results are clear: the new Citroën C3 has made a successful debut in Belgium. With 4,988 units registered during the first six months of the year, it has climbed to third place among the best-selling cars in the kingdom. This remarkable performance establishes it as the most popular vehicle from the Stellantis group during this period, outpacing its cousins from Peugeot. This success demonstrates the undeniable appeal of this new version to consumers, who seem drawn to its blend of style, comfort, and accessibility.

A detailed analysis of the sales reveals that the gasoline version of the C3 is the core of its current success, with 4,191 registrations, making it the second most popular gasoline model in the country. When looking at the geographical distribution, the C3 shows particularly strong popularity in the Brussels-Capital Region, where it stands out as the best-selling model with 860 units.

Even more significantly, its success is overwhelmingly driven by private customers. The C3 is indeed the third most purchased vehicle by Belgian households, who registered 3,193 units. This figure perfectly illustrates the brand's ability to connect directly with consumers and meet their expectations, a fundamental asset in an increasingly competitive market.

A belgian market in full electric transition

The success of the Citroën C3 occurs within a complex Belgian automotive market landscape. The new car sector experienced a contraction of 10.9% in the first half of 2025. At the same time, a notable rebalancing between buyer types is underway: the share of private customers has increased from 38.4% to 45.4% in one year, while the share of professional clients has decreased, although it remains the majority at 54.6%.

However, the most structural dynamic remains the rapid electrification of the vehicle fleet, largely driven by the professional market. While gasoline engines are still the most popular choice with a 42.7% market share , battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are showing the strongest growth and now account for 32.8% of new registrations. This surge is directly linked to favorable taxation for company cars. In fact, more than seven out of ten new professional cars are electrified , and BEVs alone represent 52.8% of this segment. As a result, professional clients registered the vast majority (87.7%) of all new electric cars sold in Belgium.

In contrast, private individuals continue to overwhelmingly favor gasoline engines, which make up 63.8% of their purchases. When they do opt for electrification, their choice mainly falls on self-charging hybrids (HEVs), which account for 18.1% of their registrations.

In conclusion, the new Citroën C3 has undeniably established itself successfully in the Belgian market, following in the glorious footsteps of its predecessor. Its third-place overall ranking is a solid performance that confirms the relevance of the brand's strategy. Although it has not yet reached the top step of the podium, its growth potential remains considerable. The model's full range of powertrains is not yet completely available, particularly its 100% electric ë-C3 version, which is expected to open up new commercial opportunities.

However, a significant challenge lies ahead. The C3's current success is very heavily reliant on private customers. For now, it is absent from the top 10 models favored by professionals , a segment that not only represents more than half of the market but is also the main driver of electrification. The ability of the new ë-C3 to appeal to this professional clientele will therefore be crucial for the model to transform its successful launch into sustainable leadership in the Belgian market.