Citroen record sales – something to dance about

Tokyo, South America, Australia, France, Germany, UK, Africa… all around the world Citroen, and the award-winning C4 robot, really are dancing in the streets following the announcement of all-time record sales.

Almost 1,400,000 Citroens took to the streets in 2005, from Sydney to Sydenham, making it a best-ever result for the French manufacturer. Helping Citroen increase its share of the ever-competitive European market, the UK contributed 122,000 vehicles to the overall tally, holding steady in the face of a tough local marketplace.

On home soil, the popularity of the Xsara Picasso last year saw over 31,000 models added to a total that now exceeds 200,000 in the UK alone. And in retaining the title of the country’s best selling MPV among private buyers, the Xsara Picasso contributed to a rise in Citroen’s share of the retail market – helping the Company to outperform the likes of Renault, Honda and Nissan.

In the second half of the year, a big increase in sales of the stylish and innovative C4 saw it take over from the C3, which remains a firm favourite in the 4/5 door supermini sector, as Citroen’s second best selling car.

Elsewhere in the world, Citroen sales in the South American countries of Argentina and Brazil rocketed by 48% and 30% respectively, while more Australians and South Africans also chose the Double Chevrons, with registrations up by 25% and 21%. Topping the good news story off, buoyant sales in the dynamic Chinese marketplace resulted in a 34% jump to 103,000 vehicles.