Citroen to leave Australian new-car market within months, ending 101-year history

Citroën, the longest continuously-running automotive brand in the country, has announced it is leaving the Australian new-car market.

Inchcape, the company responsible for importing and selling Citroën models locally, says the French car brand will cease sales operations from 1 November 2024.

Citroën counted just 87 new-car sales for the first half of 2024 – a drop of more than 35 per cent compared with the same point in 2023.

Since its peak in 2007, Citroën sales have collapsed by 94 per cent.

As reported in July 2024, Citroën has been offering discounts of up to $30,000 on its models, as dealers work to move stock. Peugeot has also offered significant discounts at the same time, putting a question mark on the sister brand in Australia.

MORE: The forgotten Australian-built cars – Citroen ID 19

Citroën has axed many of its entry-level models in recent years to focus on more premium variants, with the company currently offering a line-up of just four models: the C3, C4, C5 Aircross, and the C5 X.

The first Citroën arrived in Australia in 1923 – just four years after the company launched in France.

With 48,000 kilometres on the odometer, the Citroën 5CV was the first vehicle to complete a circumnavigation of Australia in a car, with 22-year-old Neville Westwood at the helm – with the vehicle now residing at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

While most models were imported, Citroën did manufacture cars in Australia – including the ID 19, which was a de-specced version of the iconic DS tailored for local buyers.

In a written statement, Citroën Australia General Manager David Owen cited increased competition in the "rapidly evolving" market for the decision to exit the Australian market.

MORE: Citroen’s genius act of sabotage against the Nazis in World War II

"The decision for Citroën 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," Mr Owen said.

Citroën Australia says all new-car orders placed before 1 November 2024 will be fulfilled, with the company's five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, pre-paid servicing, and capped-price service plans to be upheld.

"Our dedication to putting our customers at the centre of everything we do remains resolute," Mr Owen said.

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