PSA continues to drive down the corporate CO2 levels, taking back the crown for reducing emissions.

PSA Peugeot Citroën recaptured its first place standing in reducing emissions at end 2014 in Europe, with an average of 110.3 grams of CO₂ per kilometre* (source: AAA DATA), compared with an average of 123.7 grams for the European market. Since 2008, the Group has gradually lowered its vehicle emissions by about 30 grams.

The new record illustrates PSA Peugeot Citroën's commitment to finding practical solutions to environmental problems. More than 50% of its R&D budget is devoted to developing technologies aimed at improving the fuel and environmental performance of its vehicles.

PSA Peugeot Citroën's top ranking is primarily the result of its engine downsizing strategy and the introduction of new PureTech 3-cylinder petrol engines, as well as the introduction of new-generation, fuel-efficient BlueHDi diesel engines. In 2014, nearly 30% of vehicles sold by the Group emitted less than 100 grams of CO₂.

Paired with these highly efficient petrol and diesel engines, many Group models are low-carbon leaders in their category. Due to the fact that they represent a significant proportion of European sales, they contribute to an overall reduction in emissions.

The following models are examples of low-carbon leader vehicles:

• Citroën C4 Cactus, 1.6-litre BlueHDi, 100 hp, 82 grams of CO₂ per kilometre
• Citroën DS 3, 1.6-litre BlueHDi, 100 hp, 79 grams of CO₂ per kilometre
• Peugeot 308, PureTech 1.2-litre, 130 hp, 107 grams of CO₂ per kilometre. 

This petrol version also set a new fuel economy record of 2.85 litres per 100 kilometres, covering 1,810 kilometres on a 51-litre tank of fuel.

The recent Peugeot 308 and Citroën C4 Picasso models (built on the new EMP2 platform) and the Citroën C4 Cactus (launched in 2014) weigh significantly less than their predecessors, by 140 kilograms and 200 kilograms, respectively, which is a key factor in reducing emissions.

"The outstanding reduction in CO₂ emissions is the fruit of PSA Peugeot Citroën's advanced petrol and diesel engine technologies but also of its ongoing research to make lighter, more aerodynamic cars," said Gilles Le Borgne, Executive Vice President, Research and Development, PSA Peugeot Citroën. "The Group continues to invest heavily in research and innovation, particularly in the field of plug-in hybrid technologies and new-generation electric vehicles".

*Average homologated NEDC combined-cycle CO₂ emissions of PSA Peugeot Citroën passenger cars registered in 2014 across 22 EU nations (excluding Greece, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta).

Peugeot Citroen (PSA) celebrate a successful year around the globe.

• PSA Peugeot Citroën unit sales up 4.3% to 2,939 million vehicles in 2014 compared to 2013
• China now the Group’s largest market, with unit sales up 31.9% to 734,000
• Strong growth in Europe,with 1,761,000 vehicles sold, for an increase of 8.1%
• Worldwide success for the entire PEUGEOT product range: globalisation of models that end in 8 and successful move upmarket with a strong contribution from the PEUGEOT 308 and the PEUGEOT 2008 and 3008 crossovers
• Good performance from CITROËN-brand models: the new CITROËN C4 Picasso is the European leader in the MPV segment, the CITROËN C4 Cactus has exceeded objectives since launch and the C-Elysée has been resounding success in China, where it is Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile’s (DPCA’s) best-selling model with more than 100,000 units sold
• Global launch of DS as the Group’s premium brand
• Tangible results from the Group’s inventory reduction initiatives, with inventories at end-December significantly lower than initially expected

Europe

The Group sustained its results in a growing, yet fragile market.

• Group sales in Europe rose 8.1% year-on-year to 1,761,000 units, reflecting the favourable market reaction to the Peugeot 308, voted 2014 car of the year (56,900 units sold), and the positive results of the CITROEN C4 Cactus.
• Registrations of PEUGEOT-brand vehicles increased by 6.2% to 952,000 units. The range’s updated and consistent model line-up, combined with the dealership network’s management of net pricing and a high standard of service quality enhanced the brand’s attractiveness and helped it deliver robust, profitable growth. Peugeot gained 0.3 points in the consumer sales channel, a benchmark indicator.
• CITROËN outperformed the market while focusing on the most profitable distribution channels, with registrations up 7.2% to 689,000 units and market share gains in France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany. This positive momentum was driven by the brand’s successful product offensive, headed in particular by the new C4 Picasso, the European MPV leader with 120,000 units sold in 2014, and the year’s three successful model launches: the new Jumper introduced in April (31,000 units sold), the new C1 (41,000 units sold) and the C4-Cactusintroduced in June (42,000 units sold).
• DS registrations in Europe totalled 85,900 units. The brand is concentrating on profitable sales channels to preserve its models’ long-term resale value. In addition, 61 dedicated points of sale (58 DS Salons and three DS Stores) have been opened. The year was shaped by a technological offensive that included the introduction of six new powertrains and a new Xenon Full-LED signature.

China and Southeast Asia

The PEUGEOT, CITROËN and DS brands all set new sales records in China, which is now the Group's largest market.

• The Chinese market again expanded significantly, with demand up 11,5%. The Group achieved unit sales of 734,000, lifting its market share to 4.4% from 3.6% in 2013.
• The PEUGEOT brand had another record year with unit sales rising 43.1% to 386,565, the strongest increase among the market’s top 20 players.The PEUGEOT 3008 and 2008 fully benefited from growth in the SUV segment and accounted for a third of Dongfeng Peugeot’s sales. In the C segment, which represents 52% of the Chinese passenger car market, the new Peugeot 408 got off to a quick start with 30,943 units sold in four months. The brand also added 100 dealerships to its network in 2014.
• CITROËN also outpaced the market, setting a new sales record with growth of 14.3% to 320,000 units sold. China now accounts for more than one out of four CITROËN sold worldwide and has confirmed its status as the brand’s leading market, ahead of France. This performance was driven in part by the success of recent launches, including the new CITROËN C-Elysée, Dongfeng Citroën’s best-selling model with more than 100,000 units sold in 2014, and the Citroën C4-L, which sold 66,000 units during the year.The brand extended its line-up in December with the introduction of the C3-XR SUV. The year’s performance was also supported by Dongfeng Citroën’s increasingly tight-knit and well-respected dealership network, which ranked first in JD Power’s 2014 China Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) study.
• Sales of DS-brand models have taken off in China, for a total of 26,000 units in 2014, thanks to a premium line-up comprising three models produced in Shenzhen and launched just one year ago: the DS5, the DS 5LS and the DS 6.  At the same time, the brand has actively developed its distribution network with 80 DS Stores covering China's 60 largest cities. China now accounts for 22% of the brand’s worldwide registrations, versus 2% in 2013.

Eurasia, Latin America, Middle-East & Africa, Asia-Pacific

In the rest of the world, the market environment was difficult in 2014 due to a decline in automobile sales and unfavourable exchange rates.As a result, PSA Peugeot Citroën focused on profitability by applying a rigorous pricing policy.

• In Eurasia, the Group put an emphasis on local production of the PEUGEOT 408 and the CITROËN C4 Sedan, which together captured 8% of their segment in Russia with 6,500 and 9,000 units sold, respectively.
• In Latin America, in a difficult economic environment, the Group recorded 200,000 units sold and strengthened its position in Argentina, achieving a market share in that country of 15.1%. Recent launches delivered results, with 49,000 units sold for the PEUGEOT 208 and more than 13,000 units sold for the CITROËN C4 Lounge. Sales of the Citroën C3 held up well, at 35,300 units.
• In the Middle-East & Africa, priority was given to improving profitability in an unfavourable currency environment. The Group maintained strong positions in numerous countries, leading the market in Tunisia and France's overseas departments and ranking second in Morocco. Peugeot was the second best-selling brand in Algeria and achieved strong growth in Egypt, with unit sales up 77%.

The PEUGEOT 301 and CITROËN C-Elysée were again the leading models in 2014, with 30,400 and 14,800 units sold, respectively.Launched during the course of the year, the flagship PEUGEOT 2008 and PEUGEOT 308 achieved unit sales of 8,400 for the first and 7,400 for the second. Sales of light commercial vehicles increased year on year.

• The India-Pacific region saw an increase in sales with the successful launches of the PEUGEOT 2008 (1,000 orders in 3 months), the PEUGEOT 308 (3,200 units sold) and the CITROËN C4 Picasso (1,450 units sold).

Commenting on these results, the Chief Executive Officers of the three brands made the following remarks:

Maxime Picat, Chief Executive Officer, PEUGEOT Brand: “In terms of sales, 2014 was a year of success for PEUGEOT, with a 5.4% increase in worldwide unit sales and remarkable growth of more than 43% in China. It was also a success for our drive to globalise models that end in 8, as seen in strong demand for the 308 and the 2008 and 3008 crossovers. This situation allows us to look towards 2015 with confidence.”

Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, CITROËN Brand: “2014 was a very vibrant year for CITROËN, with a double title in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), sales growth of 4% and four launches that embody the brand’s renewal. More than ever, CITROËN represents creativity and technology, combined to promote well-being.” 

Yves Bonnefont, Chief Executive Officer, DS Brand: “In June 2014, we affirmed our ambition to make DS a global premium brand through a long-term strategy based on enriching our line-up and deploying internationally. In 2014, DS took off in China, with the successful launch of our two new models.”

UK SALES - CITROEN & DS - Continued growth for the French giant with a raft of new metal.

• Citroën & DS in the UK record over 110,000 car & van sales in 2014
• Combined car & van sales up 9.2% compared to 2013
• DS 3 is most popular model, selling 19,977 units in 2014
• Four successful new model launches in 2014 contribute to growing sales & improved residual values

In 2014, Citroën and DS sold 110,625 new cars and LCVs in the UK, delivering a sales increase of 9.2% on 2013 thanks, in part, to its growing range of award-winning products.

Passenger car sales for the two brands increased by 6.4% to 83,397, with a significant contribution from three highly successful new car launches during the year – Grand C4 Picasso, New C1 and C4 Cactus. The premium DS 3 continues its run as the most popular choice for buyers across the Citroën and DS ranges, with 19,977 sales last year (incl. Cabrio).

The Grand C4 Picasso, New C1 and C4 Cactus represent a new positioning for the Citroën brand, with an even greater emphasis on eye-catching design, greater comfort and more useful technology, as well as excellence in terms of the customer ownership experience. As a result, more Retail customers have been attracted to the brands’ showrooms, with Retail sales up 9.0% to 35,629 registrations.

The combination of growing sales in 2014 and a multiple award-winning product range reflects the rising desirability and appeal of Citroën and DS models, which in turn helps to deliver increasingly competitive residual values across both ranges.

Last year’s results are particularly encouraging in the context of New Citroën C4 Cactus only going on sale in September 2014. That means 2015 will be the first full year of sales for the striking new model – which is just one of the seven 2015 European Car of the Year finalists and was recently voted BBC TopGear Magazine’s ‘Hatchback of the Year’.  

Beaulieu to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sinclair C5.

 The 30^th birthday of the Sinclair C5, one of the most unusual vehicles ever to be built in Britain, is being celebrated by the National Motor Museum.

First on display in the museum following its launch on 10^th January 1985, visitors can again see this electrically-powered tricycle, which was gifted to the museum by its manufacturer.

Despite failing to catch the public’s imagination at its launch, today the C5 is regarded as an icon of 1980’s design and a pioneer of alternative-fuelled transport, as well as an endearing British failure.

The Sinclair C5, masterminded by inventor and entrepreneur Sir Clive Sinclair, was designed to be an inexpensive and nimble alternative for one person to travelling by car, bus or bicycle. Marketed as ‘a new power in personal transport,’ it had a retail price of £399 and could reputedly be driven for five miles on just one penny’s worth of electricity.

However, the C5 was poorly received by the press and public alike. Its diminutive size – standing just 2’ 7” off the ground – made it vulnerable on the road, while the claimed range of 20 miles on one battery charge was modest, due to the limitations in contemporary battery technology. Even if the ‘weather cheater’ poncho, offered as an accessory, was worn by the driver, the C5’s lack of rain protection also ensured a short production life.

Although Sinclair had expected to sell up to 100,000 units per year, only 9,000 C5s had been built by October 1985, following the end of production and the collapse of the company that Sinclair had set up to produce it.

The C5 utilised both pedal power and an electric motor for propulsion, with the driver sitting exposed to the elements in the open plastic body shell. Handlebars, located beneath the driver’s knees provided controls for steering, braking and acceleration. The design of the three-wheeled backbone chassis, constructed from steel, had been extensively developed by sports-car experts Lotus Cars.

An electric motor powered the left-hand rear wheel, helping the C5 to reach 15mph – its top speed, as restricted by law. Anyone over the age of fourteen was permitted to drive one and no driving licence was required, with only one button needing to be pressed to make it move. Built by Hoover at the firm’s factory in Merthyr, Wales – prompting incorrect rumours that it was powered by a washing machine motor – each C5 was supplied to its new owners in a cardboard box.

By the time that the C5 was launched, Sir Clive Sinclair already had an impressive list of revolutionary designs to his name. As a pioneer of miniaturisation, the reduction in the size of electronic hardware, his creations included the ZX range of affordable home computers, the digital watch, the world’s first slim-line pocket calculator and the world’s first pocket television.

Sinclair had long been fascinated by electric vehicles and experimented with much larger designs before focusing on the single-seater C5. He later claimed that the C5 was intended to fund the development of a much larger, four-seat electric vehicle, which could travel at speeds of up to 80mph. However, the C5’s commercial failure meant that this never happened.

The C5 can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which also includes Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear. For more details, visit www.beaulieu.co.uk.

Citroen and DS knows how to celebrate Christmas with these fun items.

• DS World Paris launches range of Christmas gifts, including chauffeur-driven experiences in a classic DS
• DS gift ideas also available in the UK through the web store at 
• https://webstore.citroen.co.uk/

DS World Paris is showcasing a host of unique, original and sophisticated gift ideas for Christmas. Themed gifts from DS World Paris include chauffeur-driven tours through the city in a classic DS, offering an opportunity to discover the ‘city of light’ on board this legendary car.

EXCLUSIVE TO DS WORLD PARIS

DS World Paris is offering two experiences on board the legendary vehicle. ‘Eternal Paris’ and ‘Romantic Paris’ experiences offer an opportunity to discover the magic of Christmas in a classic DS, in the company of a chauffeur-guide.

THIS BAG COSTS NEARLY £800.00 

WHAT A TOTAL AND UTTER RIP OFF

Ideal for couples or for nostalgic fans of Paris, and the DS, these gift experiences are available exclusively at DS World Paris.

Also available exclusively from DS World Paris, the ‘Midnight Platinium’ candle by Marianne Guedin transports the senses into a pastoral and elegant world. Available in a limited edition of 100 examples, each candle is numbered and signed by Marianne Guedin.

AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW

Designed by the DS Styling Centre, the DS weekend bag illustrates the DS brand’s expertise. Made entirely of full-grain calfskin leather, its sophisticated look and elegant finish are inspired by haute couture. The leather features a delicately-traced DS monogram in relief.

The DS ladies’ watch is a model of understated elegance and smooth curves. This modern, sophisticated accessory expresses the feminine side of the DS spirit, just in time for Christmas.

What child has not dreamed of driving a real car? DS has designed pedal-driven and ride-on children’s DS vehicles – including the striking DS 3 – which are sure to enchant younger drivers. Both cars feature the same distinctive details as their larger siblings, including DS badges and shark’s fin styling ques.