Citroën C5 X : the large sedan is leaving the united kingdom

The future of the Citroën C5 X, perceived by many as a bold and distinct proposition in the automotive landscape, already seemed set to navigate through turbulent waters due to insufficient sales volumes in numerous markets. The latest information from the United Kingdom unfortunately casts a further shadow over the picture. Indeed, Thierry Koskas, the CEO of the Double Chevron brand, recently announced that the large sedan, or rather this "crossover" blending different vehicle types, is preparing to leave the British market, just three years after its commercial launch. This decision, although regrettable, is part of a complex market context and performance that fell short of expectations in this geographical area.

A unique proposition struggling to find its audience

From its presentation, the Citroën C5 X stood out. Described as an audacious blend of a stately sedan, the interior space of a wagon, and a slightly raised ride height reminiscent of SUVs, it aimed to attract a wide clientele by combining the advantages of multiple segments. Spacious, renowned for its very high level of comfort thanks notably to the Advanced Comfort suspension system, and boasting an undeniably original and refined exterior and interior design, the C5 X nonetheless seemed to possess the necessary assets to carve out a niche for itself. However, despite its undeniable intrinsic qualities praised by many reviewers, the C5 X is struggling to find its audience, both on the European continent and in the United Kingdom. Figures reported by JATO Dynamics highlight this difficulty: in 2024, Citroën sold only 4,296 C5 X units in 28 European countries, including the UK. This volume represents a significant decrease compared to the 11,881 units sold the previous year. By way of comparison, in the same D-segment (that of "family" or "executive" sedans and wagons), a competitor like the BMW 3 Series (including both sedan and wagon versions), although positioned in the premium segment with significantly higher prices (more than £12,000 more expensive for the most affordable BMW than the entry-level C5 X in the UK), sold approximately 90,000 units in Europe in 2023. Despite a much more accessible price positioning and generous interior space, the economic argument of the C5 X was not enough to sway the preference of British buyers towards premium brands, particularly German ones, which have historically been strong in this segment. It is within this context of low sales volumes across the Channel that the decision was made: the production of Right-Hand Drive (RHD) versions will cease at the end of May 2025, effectively marking the end of its sale in the United Kingdom.

A targeted decision concerning right-hand drive markets

The announcement of the end of C5 X sales in the United Kingdom naturally raises questions about the model's global future. When asked about Citroën's strategic direction, CEO Thierry Koskas provided important clarifications during an interview with Auto Express in Paris. His remarks, quoted in full, shed light on the brand's position: "I don't think Citroën is very present in the market with the C5 X. It's a tiny segment, because as soon as you go into the D-segment, you compete with premium brands, and the sales of generalist brands are small. So I'm not sure we'll do anything in this segment in the future," he stated. This statement, although nuanced, highlights the challenges faced by a mainstream brand in a segment largely dominated by premium players where price is not the primary purchasing criterion. However, it is crucial to clarify that the halt announced by Thierry Koskas specifically concerns only the production of right-hand drive versions. This implies, therefore, that the Left-Hand Drive (LHD) versions, intended for the majority of continental European markets and other regions around the world, will indeed continue to be produced and sold. The decision to discontinue the C5 X in the United Kingdom is directly linked to the very low sales volumes recorded in this specific market, making the continuation of RHD version production economically unviable. By logical extension, and for the same reasons of low volumes in a distant RHD market, this decision should also lead to the end of C5 X sales in Japan, another country where driving is on the right and where the model's sales figures are also modest. The stop is therefore an adaptation to regional commercial realities, not an immediate global end of the road for the C5 X.

The career of the Citroën C5 X is undeniably proving difficult. Positioned in the D-segment, it operates in a vehicle category that has been progressively abandoned by most mainstream manufacturers in recent years, in favour of SUVs, deemed more profitable and more in tune with the current expectations of a large majority of customers. In this residual D-segment for non-premium brands, the C5 X finds itself in direct competition with models from premium brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Audi, where purchasing criteria, such as status, brand image, or perceived performance, often outweigh the selling price. A situation that makes the commercial battle particularly tough for a mainstream brand like Citroën, despite the objective qualities of its model and an attractive price positioning. However, the cessation of sales in Great Britain does not mark a definitive global end for the C5 X. The model is indeed achieving good results, particularly in China, a crucial market where it contributes significantly to Citroën's sales and where the brand is even the best-selling foreign brand within the Stellantis group. This success in China ensures a sufficient production and sales base to justify the continued existence of the model. Optimism, despite the European difficulties, therefore remains appropriate. The potential arrival, perhaps in the near future, of a new version or technical developments could once again put the C5 X in the spotlight, even if a major restyling does not seem to be on the agenda. The C5 X thus continues its journey, focusing on the markets where it finds its audience, demonstrating Citroën's ability to offer different vehicles, even if their success remains conditional on the specific characteristics of each region of the world.