While the European version was unveiled just over a month ago for the October launch, the Indian version of the new C3 Aircross is expanding its markets a little further with the launch of the brand's latest SUV in South Africa. South Africa, where it will help the C3 to develop the brand's sales.
Citroën is committed to developing its international sales in order to become less dependent on the stagnating European market. To this end, the brand is targeting Asia, with India, where it has set up a factory, and Latin America, two strategic regions that should continue to experience strong growth. The advantage of having a factory in India is that it allows Citroën to sell its cars in all the ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, among others) without paying customs duties, which explains the establishment of Citroën in Indonesia, where it has announced its return in 2022 and where it will start producing electric C3s in August.
The other advantage of the Indian plant is that Citroën is using it to conquer other right-hand-drive countries, including South Africa, where it intends to develop and where it has just launched the new C3 Aircross, a few months after the new C3, both imported directly from India.
An attractive and accessible SUV
Like its little sister, the new C3 Aircross is available with a single 1.2-litre petrol engine developing 110 bhp and mated to a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, both with six speeds.
At launch, the C3 Aircross will only be available in one trim level, the top-of-the-range MAX, an extremely reduced range with few options as we know it in Europe. In a few months' time, the brand may offer an additional trim level, Plus, in order to reduce the selling price, even if it proves to be competitive for the South African market. However, Citroën still offers the 7-seater option on the C3 Aircross, which gives consumers more choice and allows it to meet more needs.
Prices start at 344,900 Rand or 17,250 Euros, with the 7-seater version costing an additional 10,000 Rand or just 500 Euros. The C3 Aircross comes with two airbags as standard and therefore does not yet have the additional safety equipment that will soon be available in India, which may handicap it on the South African market, but it does have real qualities, particularly comfort that is far superior to its competitors or even a slightly more energetic engine. Finally, the C3 Aircross is guaranteed for 5 years or 100,000 kilometres and comes with a 4-year/60,000 kilometre service plan, giving customers complete peace of mind.
In conclusion, Citroën's strategy is beginning to emerge and it is clear that the brand's establishment in India had a much broader objective than just the Indian market. Proof of this is the launch of this new C3 Aircross in South Africa, a market in which Stellantis intends to rely on Citroën to develop its sales strongly. I will come back to this in a few days.
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