Claude Satinet, Citroen Managing Director, talked to AUTOBEST Jury during an exclusive interview.
C4 world premiere for Paris Motor Show in 2004
(March 24-th, 2003)
Mr. Claude Satinet made an exclusive invitation to Mr. Dan Vardie, AUTOBEST international jury chairman to have an in-depth discussion regarding the Citroen company. For the first time, Mr. Satinet spoke about the new C4 as a “totally different” car than C4 and C5. “Both are high cars. We do not need another one as higher.” pointed out Mr. Satinet. Citroen top executive denied any plans to enter the SUV market but announced the intentions to build new models with crossover appeal with just front wheel drive. More, not any pick-up version of C3 or future C4 are in pipeline. “The market is to small!” Mr. Satinet insisted.
Citroen is experiencing an excellent performance in the World Rally Championship. “We will keep Xsara WRC and we already announced the future C2 for motorsport. We will not build any WRC for C3.” Satinet explained AUTOBEST, adding that Citroen is having its own plans also for this field than Peugeot. “Excepting our technical and technological cooperation we are competing heavily. I do not know what Peugeot Rally team is preparing for the next rallies. But also they do not know what we are doing.”
Mr. Vincent Besson, the second top executive and responsible for marketing and sales stated that C3- “AUTOBEST of 2003” is contributing to the bold success, the French maker is enjoying nowadays. “However we need a balanced sales distribution among the range. We do not look for a star.” Besson added. The new Pluriel is foreseen as a niche car, with completely different appeal than the Peugeot 206 cc “brother”. “We decided to go our way and to make not a third car in the family but a day by day use car. ”Due to this completely new approach, Mr. Besson was not able to foreseen the sales. “If we sell the 350 units/ day production it is ok. If more, I will be happy. “ For the future Citroen is keeping the actual system implemented for the range with “C” and a letter. “Only for niche products we will add a name, like in the case of C3 Puriel. It is almost impossible these days to find a free name to make sense to all the market you are going to sell the product!” Besson added.
During a ceremony held in Sophia, Bulgaria, in December 2002, Citroen C3 was elected “AUTOBEST 2003” by the international Jury. The AUTOBEST organization, with 10 countries from the East and Central Europe is prizing the best suitable car for the average customer in the region. 13 criteria’s, each one with a determined no. of points are scrutinized for emerging the winner. Mr. Satinet and Mr. Vardie signed a contract valid for 2003 allowing Citroen to use the “AUTOBEST 2003” logo for the C3 ad campaign in all the countries from East and Central Europe. “It is always difficult to count exactly the sales effect of any international award. However, I think the “AUTOBEST 2003” for C3 contributed to the success the car is enjoying in the region. More, for Citroen is no more product differences between the West and East markets. We treat the same way the clients from wherever they are” Mr. Satinet stated.
The interview with Mr. Claude Satinet and the inside story about Citroen will be published in the countries members of the AUTOBEST Jury. For additional reprints is available upon request.
