Citroen India is struggling to impress the Indian car buyers. Its May sales performance was the worst in recent three months, which indicates how the brand is losing ground very quickly. Even with many models in its portfolio, only one of them could cross the 100-unit sales milestone. Let’s go through the entire sales performance and what’s not working out for the brand.
Citroen Sales Breakdown May 2025
The company sold a mere 333 vehicles in May, down from 339 in April and 407 in March. This gradual fall indicates waning customer interest. The best-selling model was the Citroen C3, with 110 units sold, the same as in April. It was the only model whose numbers did not decrease. The eC3, an electric variant, had a steep fall to just 60 units in May from 109 units in April.
The Basalt Coupe exhibited a minor recovery, selling 95 units in May after hitting a low of 66 units during April. The C3 Aircross made its return on sales charts with 66 units, while the C5 Aircross plummeted to an astonishing low—only 2 units sold in May versus 54 units sold in April. The overall trend of the brand downward means serious doubts about its popularity in the Indian market.
Key Features Affected by Model Changes
The single biggest reason for the C5 Aircross sales meltdown is the axing of its entry-level Feel trim. The base variant was the cheapest in the lineup. By eliminating that, the price of the vehicle went up by ₹3 lakh, placing it out of the reach of most buyers in only the top-of-the-line Shine variant. The C5 Aircross now begins from ₹39.99 lakh (ex-showroom), which puts it in the domain of luxury buyers alone.
C5 Aircross’s Sharp Downfall in May
The sharp decline in C5 Aircross sales is worrying. From 54 units in April to a mere 2 in May, the decline mirrors how pricing and variant strategy have directly impacted customer choices. Without the budget option now available, many potential customers have apparently lost interest. Taking away low-cost options from a lineup without replacing them is hardly a good idea in a price-conscious market like India.
Customer Trust and Brand Expansion
Citroen’s greatest challenge is establishing trust with Indian buyers. For all competitive features and looks, the brand fails to have expansive dealership networks and after-sales services. Indian customers still prefer such brands that have established reputations coupled with hassle-free service access. Until Citroen resolves these issues, it may continue struggling to catch on.