Dongfeng Citroen to build A-class sedan with PSA

Shanghai, November 10 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Citroen will build an A-class sedan cooperatively with PSA, said Yves Moulin, managing director of Dongfeng Citroen, at the press briefing of C-Quatre VTS, xinhuanet.com said today.

Dongfeng Citroen needs to develop new products to cover different segments if the company wants to develop further or to change the current sluggish sales, Yves Moulin said. “We need such a product positioned at the A-class model which is priced at between 110,000 yuan ($16,129) and 150,000 yuan, according to our products layout,” he disclosed.

Without elaborating on the new model, Yves Moulin said the new Elysee and C-Triomphe sedans will not be included in the A-class range, as Elysee is priced at between 70,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan and the C-Triomphe is a low-end B-level car. The company will launch C5 in the future to rival Passat, Magoton, Camry, Accord and other B-level cars, he added.

But Yves Moulin stressed that the company hopes the PSA Shanghai design centre can design the new A-class sedan and C5 which can better appeal to Chinese consumers.

Sources said the A-class sedan jointly developed by Dongfeng Citroen and PSA will be displayed at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show in next April and will go on sale by the first half of next year. Dongfeng Citroen surely will launch a series of new cars, a source of Dongfeng Citroen disclosed.

Code-named BX3, the new model will feature young and sporty styling, based on Chinese market demands. According to Dongfeng Citroen vice general manager Wei Wenqing, the BX3 will also go on sale in Europe and Brazils.