Citroen, the renowned French automotive company, has reached a significant milestone by becoming the first multinational car manufacturer in India to export locally manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) to international markets. Today, the ceremonial departure of the inaugural shipment of 500 units of the Made-in-India Citroen e-C3 to Indonesia from Kamarajar Port marks a momentous occasion in India’s journey towards sustainable mobility and global competitiveness.
In line with the strategic objectives of the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative and Stellantis’ Dare Forward Mission 2030, Citroen’s export of the e-C3 underscores its dedication to promoting clean, secure, and affordable mobility solutions globally. This move represents a crucial step forward in Citroen’s mission to democratize electric mobility and foster the adoption of sustainable transportation options worldwide, as shared by the company.
Aditya Jairaj, CEO & MD of Stellantis India, remarked on the announcement, emphasizing that India serves not only as a strategic market but also as a crucial hub for sourcing vehicles, components, as well as mobility technologies within the Stellantis group. He expressed pride in the commencement of exporting the versatile ‘Made-In-India Citroen e-C3’ electric vehicle to international customers, highlighting it as a testament to their engineering and development capabilities. He reaffirmed their dedication to growth in India, promoting sustainable mobility, as well as showcasing the country’s manufacturing excellence on a global scale.
Lise Talbot Barre, Consul General of France in Pondicherry and Chennai, expressed, “This ‘Make in India’ Citroen e-C3 signifies the strength of Indian-French industrial cooperation and our joint commitment to achieving cleaner mobility globally. The journey of the Citroen e-C3 embodies the core ambition of the strategic partnership between our two countries, as highlighted during the visit of the French Minister for Ecological Transition to Chennai for the G20 in July. I am pleased to observe that this car has been successful in the Indian market, with thousands sold last year. As we celebrate the first shipment to Indonesia, I am delighted to see that Stellantis is primarily targeting ASEAN countries for exporting its ‘Make in India’ electric vehicles. Collaborating to deliver cleaner mobility solutions at affordable prices is a significant aspect of the Indo-French contribution to the development of an open, inclusive, and sustainably developed Indo-Pacific region, as outlined in the Indo-French roadmap for the Indo-Pacific signed last year between our governments.”
Citroen’s export of the e-C3 not only demonstrates its manufacturing and engineering capabilities but also contributes significantly to India’s aim of establishing a sustainable and globally competitive EV manufacturing ecosystem, according to the carmaker. Alongside the e-C3, Citroen has initiated exports of the C3 to ASEAN and African markets.
