Citroen bids adieu to Australia

CITROEN Australia has announced today that it will cease selling new vehicles locally from November 1.

The French importer said that in consideration of its performance Down Under, it has made the decision to withdraw from the sales race within a matter of months.

Citroen will continue to support the vehicle maintenance and service requirements of Australian customers into the future, ensuring owners are supported via its 35-strong national dealer network.

The news comes less than a fortnight after GoAuto predicted slow-selling Stellantis Group brands would depart the Australian new car market, Citroen Australia general manager David Owen saying the brand must consider its future in what he described as a rapidly evolving and competitive market.

“Whilst we acknowledge and celebrate Citroen’s rich history in the Australian market, we must look to the future and consider the rapidly evolving, dynamic, and competitive nature of the industry and the local market, alongside changing consumer demands,” he said.

“The decision for Citroen Australia to cease new vehicle sales was not made lightly; it was made after careful consideration of the current and future product available for our country, in the context of the local market and the preferences and requirements of Australian new vehicle buyers.

“Our dedication to putting our customers at the centre of everything we do remains resolute.

“We know there will continue to be Citroen owners in Australia, with many Citroen vehicles still on the road, and our passionate Citroen Australia team and retailer network are committed to supporting the continued vehicle maintenance needs of our customers.”

Mr Owen said new vehicle orders placed by customers before November 1 will be fulfilled.

The brand will continue to support new vehicle customers with its five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and pre-paid servicing plans remaining in place.

Citroen holds the honour of being the longest running vehicle importer in the country, with a continuous presence stretching back 105 years.

Co-operative Motors in Hobart was the first Australian importer of Citroen vehicles, advertising its agency to the public in 1919 – the same year Andre Citroen built his first Type A. 

Preston Motors (Melbourne) followed in March of 1920, then Moncrieff Engineering Company of Adelaide eight months later.

Distribution of the French brand has passed through many hands since – Citroen models at one time able to be purchased in Europe on the proviso you owned the car for a period of three months. It could then be shipped back to Australia and registered as a “tourist delivery car”.

Most recently, the Inchcape Group has handled importation and distribution of Citroen vehicles, the company now selling just four models locally – the C3, C4, C5 Aircross, and C5 X SUV.

Sadly, recent sales of the venerated French brand have fallen well short of expectation, with VFACTS numbers indicating just 87 registrations between January 1 and July 31.