Citroën C3 Aircross: a good start in Portugal in June

For a considerable period, the Citroën range appeared to lack a crucial cornerstone: a modern and competitive urban SUV. The highly anticipated arrival of the new C3 Aircross was therefore met with significant expectations, and initial results confirm its strategic importance. June 2025 marks a substantial turning point for the Chevron brand in Portugal, where deliveries of the new urban SUV have translated into a remarkable performance, injecting welcome dynamism into Citroën's overall figures. This success is not merely anecdotal; it signifies a finally complete product strategy that is beginning to bear fruit, especially within a highly competitive European market.

The triumph of the C3 Aircross in Portugal

25, with an increase of 14.8% to reach 23,184 units sold. Within this favorable environment, the Citroën C3 Aircross distinguished itself in a spectacular manner. With 588 units sold, it exhibited an impressive 191.1% increase compared to the previous month, demonstrating rapid and enthusiastic adoption by Portuguese consumers. This performance propelled it to the 7th position in the overall sales ranking and, even more significantly, to 3rd place in its segment. It positioned itself just behind established competitors such as the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Duster, yet emerged as Citroën's best-selling model in Portugal. By gaining 21 places compared to June 2024 and securing a market share of 2.5%, the C3 Aircross confirmed its status as a genuine growth driver for Citroën. Its bold design, spaciousness, and value proposition appear to align perfectly with public expectations, positioning it as a major player in a highly contested segment.

The C3: consolidated leadership despite a unique june

While the C3 Aircross shone brightly, the Citroën C3, another flagship model for the brand, experienced a more mixed June. Despite a 54.6% decrease in sales in June, resulting in 454 units delivered (including 16 ë-C3), the C3 still managed to rank 9th in the overall market. More importantly, it maintained its position as the 3rd best-selling model in its segment. A crucial point to highlight is that the C3 remains the best-selling B-segment hatchback within the Stellantis group in Portugal, even surpassing the Peugeot 208. This performance, while numerically lower than its peak in May (where it was the top-selling car in Portugal), demonstrates the model's inherent strength and its ability to appeal to a broad audience. The decline observed in June, which is not limited to Portugal and appears to be a European phenomenon, is likely due to production constraints. Demand for the new C3 remains very strong, and insufficient production seems to be hindering its full sales potential.

The introduction of the C3 Aircross has enabled Citroën to offer a complete and coherent range for delivery, now covering key segments of the automotive market. The effects of this strategy are clearly evident in Portugal, where the brand achieved a strong performance in June. Although the C3 experienced a subdued June, a phenomenon observed across Europe and most likely linked to insufficient production to meet demand, its performance in recent months, combined with the excellent start of the C3 Aircross, proves that the new Citroën range is on the right track and appealing to a wide audience. The meticulous design, emphasis on comfort, and strong value proposition of the new models resonate positively with consumers. The main challenge for Citroën will now be to successfully increase its production capacity to deliver the numerous orders and fully capitalize on this burgeoning success. Optimism is high, as the foundation is solid and the vehicles' attractiveness is beyond doubt.