Citroen plans three new cars for India by 2030 as Stellantis readies Rs 4,000 crore investment

Citroen is preparing to strengthen its hold on the Indian car market. The company plans to bring three new vehicles to India by 2030: a small A-segment car, a C-segment SUV and a D-segment MPV. Citroen's portfolio is currently limited to models such as the C3, Aircross and Basalt, and the new vehicles will widen it.

Citroen's parent company Stellantis has drawn up a roadmap for India called 'FaSTLAne 2030'. Under it, Jeep and Citroen together will bring 12 new or updated vehicles over the next three years. Seven will be all-new models and five will be major updates to existing vehicles. The first vehicle under the programme is planned for launch in the second quarter of 2027.

Citroen's upcoming small car may be positioned below the C3. It could appeal to customers looking for a compact car for city driving. It is likely to get an electric powertrain, in which case it could compete with vehicles such as the MG Comet EV and Tata Tiago EV. However, the company has not yet given official information on its engine, price or electric version.

The upcoming C-segment SUV may be placed above the Aircross and Basalt. No details of its design, features or powertrain have emerged yet. The D-segment MPV would take the company into the larger family-car category. How many seats it will have, and whether it will come with a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric powertrain, is not yet clear.

On investment, Stellantis is to put in about Rs 4,000 crore of additional money in India over the next three years. The aim is to take the company's total investment in India to about Rs 15,000 crore by 2030. Of the 12 planned vehicles, seven will be Citroen's and five Jeep's. A target of 90 per cent localisation has also been set, by increasing the use of local parts in vehicles made in India.

The company will take sales and service to smaller cities through its 'Brand House' retail network. This could make it easier for customers to buy and maintain a vehicle. Citroen's road ahead in the Indian market will become clearer only after the price, features and launch dates of the new models are revealed. Separate launch dates for the other models have not yet been announced.