Citroën in India: record growth in January 2026

A new lease on life for Citroen in the Indian market

Citroen's journey in India, which began a few years ago, has been anything but easy. The brand's initial steps into this ultra-competitive territory were marked by structural challenges and a gradual adoption by the local customer base. The start was, by all accounts, laborious and complex, requiring a fine-tuned adaptation to the specific demands of Indian motorists. However, far from being discouraged, the French manufacturer showed remarkable resilience by sticking to its international ambitions. This perseverance has recently paid off with the rollout of the strategy known as Shift to the New.

This deep transformation plan involved a comprehensive update of the lineup, aiming to strengthen product competitiveness against local and Japanese giants. By revamping the technological features, comfort, and pricing of its models, Citroen has managed to reverse the trend. The first tangible signs of this renewal were observed during an excellent final quarter of 2025, characterized by a regained commercial momentum. This solid foundation now seems to be propelling the brand toward promising horizons in early 2026, confirming that the strategic adjustments made by Stellantis in India were the right move.

Indian market performance in january 2026: Citroen leads growth

The Indian automotive market continues to demonstrate exceptional vitality in January 2026. With a total volume of 452,589 units sold, the sector recorded a 12.7% increase compared to the previous year. This remarkable result represents the second-best historical month for the country's auto industry, highlighting once again the massive long-term potential of this market, often seen as a future pillar of global growth. Within this context of commercial fervor, Citroen has managed to stand out in a spectacular fashion.

Indeed, Citroen recorded the highest growth in the Indian market in January. With 1,068 units sold, the brand posted a staggering increase of 127.2%. Although overall volumes remain modest on the scale of this giant market, Citroen's market share now stands at approximately 0.24%. While these figures still place the brand in the penultimate position in the manufacturer rankings, the growth trajectory is unequivocal. This performance is even more significant as it is part of a recovery phase where every gain in market share is hard-won. Within this growing range, the performance of the C3 is particularly catching the eye of analysts, showing that Citroen's core lineup is starting to find its audience.

The confirmed success of the C3 and passenger car momentum

The spearhead of this success is undoubtedly the Citroen C3. The brand's flagship model in India achieved a top-tier commercial performance in January 2026. Ranking 57th in the overall market, the C3 attracted 831 customers, representing a meteoric rise of 243.4%. To these encouraging figures, one must add the 24 units of the electric version, the ë-C3, which continues to carve its path in India's emerging zero-emission mobility segment. What is particularly notable is the C3's ability to now outsell long-established models like the Renault Kwid or the Renault Kiger, as well as the Volkswagen Taigun.

Being able to outpace models from Renault, a well-established historical competitor, proves that Citroen is now fully "in the game." This is an extremely positive signal for the future, as it validates the work done on the product and brand image. Meanwhile, the rest of the range is also showing signs of progress. The C3 Aircross found 131 buyers, posting a 22.4% increase, while the new Basalt SUV coupe recorded 70 sales, a growth of 14.8%. Although these volumes are still low, their steady progress indicates a gradual acceptance of Citroen's entire offering by Indian families, thus solidifying the foundations for sustainable growth.

Conclusion: a winning strategy for the future

In conclusion, Citroen is now reaping the rewards of a bold strategy and thorough work on the quality of its offering. The success of the new C3 iteration, now referred to as the C3 X as part of this new dynamic, is the main driver of this renewal. By managing to rival, and even exceed, the sales of direct competing models from Renault, Citroen is achieving a strong symbolic performance that highlights its conquest potential. If the brand can maintain this pace and further stimulate volumes for the C3 Aircross and Basalt, the goal of matching Renault's volumes in the Indian market no longer seems like a utopia, but a goal within reach.