Citroën C5 X finds new momentum in China, defying the competition

While Citroën's European lineup has undergone profound renewals or significant facelifts across almost all recent models, the Citroën C5 X stands as an exception. As the only vehicle in the current range to have received no major aesthetic or technical updates on the Old Continent, the large Chevron sedan appears to be navigating a difficult commercial period in Europe, often relegated to the lower depths of its segment rankings.

However, thousands of kilometers away, the situation is drastically different. In China, where the vehicle is manufactured, the C5 X continues to attract customers and has just achieved a commercial performance for November 2025 that commands respect. Far from being anecdotal, this result highlights the relevance of a model that, against all odds, is single-handedly carrying the brand's results in the world's largest car market.

Positive dynamics in the wholesale market

To fully understand Citroën's performance, it is essential to analyze the context of the "wholesale" market. This term refers to vehicles delivered by manufacturers to dealerships, anticipating final customer demand. It is a key indicator of a brand's health and the dealer network's confidence. In November 2025, the overall Chinese market recorded a measured increase of 1.2%, reaching a colossal volume of 3,037,000 units.

In this vast automotive ocean, Citroën manages to stand out with surprising vigor. The French brand posted a growth of 24%, totaling 1,498 units sold for the month. While these volumes may seem modest on the scale of China, they allow Citroën to rank as the 71st brand in the market, ahead of prestigious or established names such as Skoda and Jaguar.

Citroën owes this resilience almost exclusively to its flagship. The C5 X had an excellent month, recording a growth of 37,5% to reach 1,299 units. The math is quick and eloquent: the large sedan alone accounts for nearly 87% of Citroën's total sales in China during this period.

The performance is even more notable when compared to direct and indirect competition. With this sales volume, the C5 X is on par with the electric SUV BMW iX1, a highly trendy model. It has the luxury of outpacing the Hyundai Sonata and is only a few dozen units behind well-established premium models like the Mercedes CLA, the GLB SUV, or the Smart #1. This success is particularly noteworthy as it occurs in a market structure that seems to work against the C5 X's technical proposition.

Heroic resistance facing the electric wave

The Chinese automotive market is pursuing its forced march toward electrification, making the C5 X's performance all the more unique. In November, the slight rise in the overall market (+1.2%) contrasts sharply with the explosion in sales of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). These surged by 20.6%, representing 1,823,000 units.

In detail, this transition is brutal:

• 100% Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) climbed by 28.9% (1,170,000 units).

• Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs) increased by 7.9% (652,000 units).

When comparing these figures to the total volume, electrified powertrains now represent approximately 60% of the total market. In this context, historic Western manufacturers, often lagging in local electric offerings, are suffering terribly. Giants are wobbling: Volkswagen is down 22%, Toyota has retreated by 13.6%, and its cousin Peugeot has suffered a dizzying drop of 49.3%, delivering only 723 units—half that of Citroën.

It is here that the C5 X's performance becomes truly significant. The sedan continues its steady course even though it is not available with electrified, electric, or plug-in hybrid engines in this specific market, where the offer is concentrated on proven internal combustion engines. Managing to grow by 37.5% and maintain stable volumes in the face of aggressive, electrified local competition highlights the formidable performance of the large sedan. It proves, month after month, that its bold design, top-tier comfort, and habitability perfectly meet the expectations of demanding Chinese clientele who recognize the intrinsic value of a vehicle beyond its powertrain.

The destiny of the Citroën C5 X illustrates a striking paradox. In Europe, the model struggles to find its place, perhaps a victim of misunderstood positioning or a declining sedan market. In China, conversely, it shines through its consistency and resilience. With annual sales up by 8.6%, now approaching the 15,000 unit mark, the C5 X is much more than just a model for Dongfeng-Citroën: it is a lifeline.

While its fate seems sealed on the Old Continent, could these encouraging results prompt Citroën to consider a successor, at least for Asia? One can only hope. As the November figures implacably demonstrate: without the C5 X, the Chinese adventure would effectively be over for Citroën. A reality that makes this sedan all the more precious for enthusiasts of the brand.