The C5X is approaching! Citroën and its partner Dongfeng Motor Group have kicked off production at the Chengdu site in southwest China. The crossover sedan, presented in April, is due to join dealerships in China in the fall and in Europe in March 2022.
The Citroën C5X is talked about again. The brand’s new herringbone flagship was pictured at the Chengdu plant in China. The crossover will be produced exclusively on the chains of the Dongfeng Motor Group site, Chinese partner of the French manufacturer. This is the 3e sedan to leave a French production site after the C3 and C4. The French manufacturer only produces three models in France.
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Why does Citroën produce in China?
If Citroën has chosen to produce in China, it is above all by ” industrial opportunism »Indicated last April IHS Markit to our colleagues of the World. ” This makes it possible to give load to factories which are currently overcapacity. »Said Denis Schemoul, associate director of the analysis firm. In addition, Vincent Cobée, boss of Citroën, explained to our colleagues from Challenges that the sales forecasts “ did not allow to consider manufacturing in two factories on two continents », Unlike the C5 Aircross. The choice of the middle empire is also strategic sinceit very complicated and expensive to import European cars to China because of the customs fees, while the reverse is not true. After recording record sales in China in 2015, PSA (which became Stellantis after its merger with FCA) drank the cup in 2020 with a drop in deliveries of 56%.
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Petrol and hybrid versions
If the Dongfeng Versailles C5X began its commercial career in China in September, the European market will have to wait until March 2022 to cross the road of this new model. Citroën will unveil the prices of its new model in November. The model could be displayed from € 32,000 for the 130 hp 3-cylinder petrol version. The rechargeable hybrid version (225 hp) should be displayed around € 40,000. Note that the model catalog will not count any diesel.
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