REPORT: Citroën preparing low-cost brand
Citroën C-Cactus prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery
Citroën is apparently going in both directions with its new range of upscale models, the DS series, and a new rumored line called "essentiele" (essential). The essential line could take the concepts in the C-Cactus model and turn it into a complete low-cost range of cars. The idea is a return to how the automaker marketed vehicles in the 1950s, when the humble 2CV and the DS were on the market at the same time. Let's not forget, too, that rival Renault's most successful product in the recent years is the entire Dacia lineup. The C-Cactus, designed to be lighter and have fewer pieces, could be lower-end in the low-carbon sense as well. The French newspaper La Tribune also mentions the possibility of hybrid versions of the cheaper Citroën line, surely borrowed from sibling marque Peugeot. The range is expected to be launched worldwide in 2012-13.
Gallery: Citroen C-Cactus Concept
[Source: La Tribune]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Simon 5:55PM (9/22/2009)
It isn't a low cost brand already? Could have fooled me.
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tarmacblog 7:15PM (9/22/2009)
Citroën is a low-cost brand, you're right, but if you look at their recent models - in particular the C4, new C5 and the C6, they're all pretty good quality products, loaded with toys, and competitively priced with everything from Fords to Hondas with a little variation either side.
I'd expect a low-cost brand to dip well below this, focusing mainly on smaller, simpler cars in the same vein as the 2CV mentioned in the story. The C1 already gets pretty close to this ethos but I'm assuming Citroën will be going for a much more distinctive design (like they've done with the DS3 concept) to mark the cheaper brand out visually as well as financially.
wincros 6:05PM (9/22/2009)
After decades of trying to blend doors into invisibility in car design, suddenly they are a focus. I suppose we have Swatch and the Smart car to thank for it.
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Laurens 6:14AM (9/23/2009)
Some say the poor will buy EV's with depleted lithium ion batteries in the future. In a way that makes more sense.
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mike 8:39AM (9/23/2009)
Inane paranoia about possible outcomes of any potential change from the status quo aside...
I think this c-cactus is one of the more pleasant and practical looking concepts of recent years.
So I hope they do build it and stay pretty close to this original design - though it does look like it might have some blind spot issues on the shoulders.
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