Citroën C3: Stellantis boosts production to meet phenomenal success

It is news that has been circulating within the automotive industry corridors for several months, fueled by persistent rumors and industrial clues, but today it takes an official and quantified turn. What was suspected is now confirmed in a striking manner: the fourth generation of the iconic French city car is meeting such commercial success that the initially planned industrial capacity is no longer sufficient. The production figures, now clear and ambitious, allow us to take the true measure of the enthusiasm generated by the new Citroën C3, to the point where the brand is currently struggling to keep up with European customer demand.

A strategic shift disrupting the market

When Citroën unveiled the fourth iteration of its C3, the objective was bold: to redefine the standards of the versatile city car by offering a vehicle with an attractive design, inspired by SUV codes, but above all, offered at prices defying all competition. This strategy of "accessible electric" and affordable petrol models sent a shockwave through the market. By offering prices significantly lower than the previous generation, and well below the B-segment average, Citroën struck a chord with consumers eager for economical mobility without sacrificing style or comfort.

This radical positioning translates concretely into order books today. The influx of new customers is such that the brand finds itself overwhelmed by its own success. The Slovak plant in Trnava, the industrial cradle of this new generation, reached saturation much faster than expected. The assembly lines, running at full capacity, can no longer meet delivery deadlines in the face of growing demand. It is in this context of positive tension that we knew Stellantis had taken the strategic decision to add a second production site. It is now confirmed: the Kragujevac factory in Serbia will lend a hand to Slovakia. This major industrial decision is accompanied this time by clear production information, validating the brand's recovered health.

300,000 Units per year: the C3 changes industrial dimension

Recent statements by Xavier Chardon, the brand's CEO, provide precise insight into expected volumes, dispelling doubts about Citroën's ability to deliver to its customers. The projections for the year 2026 are eloquent and testify to the group's absolute confidence in its best-seller. The historic Trnava plant will continue to carry the bulk of the industrial effort with a forecast of 260,000 units produced. This is a colossal figure for a single site, yet it is not enough to absorb all European demand.

This is where the Kragujevac site comes in. Starting next year, this Serbian factory will inject an additional 40,000 units into the logistics circuit. By adding the maximum capacities of Trnava and this strategic Serbian reinforcement, we reach an impressive total of 300,000 Citroën C3s manufactured over the full year for the European market. This volume places the French car among the undisputed heavyweights of the continent and allows us to realize the phenomenal success this new generation is encountering.

Despite corridor whispers and initial skepticism, market reality is implacable: customers are acclaiming Citroën's value proposition. Xavier Chardon specifies that the Trnava plant is "completely saturated," a rare situation in a European car market that is still struggling to regain its pre-pandemic levels. This spectacular turnaround is all the more notable given that internal competition within Stellantis is fierce, with rivals like the Peugeot 208 or the Opel Corsa. Yet, the C3 stands out thanks to its unique positioning, confirming that the bet on accessibility was the right one.

A challenging launch but a bright future

It must be acknowledged, in all transparency, that the commercial launch of this new C3 was not a smooth ride. The first few months were marked by delivery delays and necessary software adjustments, issues inherent in launching a brand-new technological platform. However, these difficulties are now a thing of the past. The problems are clearly resolving, and the cars coming off the production lines today are, finally, free of early bugs. The brand was able to react with agility to correct the course and deliver a finished product.

This success is all the more satisfying for the Citroën teams as it occurs in a sometimes hostile media climate. Despite a lively campaign actively led by certain automotive media outlets against this C3, insistently pointing out its teething troubles, the public's response is unequivocal. The success it is encountering is real, tangible, and quantified. It is such that the brand must sharply increase production to reach these famous 300,000 annual units.

For the Trnava plant, the C3 now represents the heart of operations, taking up 65% of the total production of the site. The remaining 35% will be devoted to assembling the new C3 Aircross and the Opel Frontera, confirming the city car's central role in the Stellantis industrial ecosystem. With assured profitability and rising volumes, the C3 imposes itself not only as the brand's savior but as the new essential reference for the popular car in Europe.