Citroen, the French automotive giant, has achieved a milestone by becoming India’s first multinational car manufacturer to export locally manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) to international markets. The inaugural shipment of 500 units of the Made-in-India Citroen e-C3 to Indonesia was ceremonially flagged off today from Kamarajar Port, marking a significant moment in India’s journey towards sustainable mobility and global competitiveness.
Aligned with the strategic direction of the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative and Stellantis’ Dare Forward Mission 2030, Citroen’s export of the e-C3 underscores its commitment to promoting clean, safe, and affordable mobility solutions worldwide. The move signifies a pivotal step in Citroen’s mission to democratise electric mobility and increase the adoption of sustainable transportation options globally, the company shared.
Aditya Jairaj, CEO & MD of Stellantis India, speaking on the announcement said “India is not only a strategic market but also a major sourcing hub for vehicles, components, and mobility technologies within the Stellantis group. Commencing the export of the versatile ‘Made-In-India Citroen e-C3’ electric vehicle to international customers is a proud validation of our engineering and development capabilities. We remain committed to growing in India and promoting sustainable mobility while showcasing India’s manufacturing prowess on a global stage.”
Lise Talbot Barre, Consul General of France in Pondicherry and Chennai, shared “This ‘Make in India’ Citroen e-C3 symbolises the strength of the Indian-French industrial cooperation and our mutual commitment towards achieving cleaner mobility at the global scale. Indeed, the Citroen e-C3’s journey materializes the core ambition of the strategic partnership between our two countries, as it was already highlighted in July by the French Minister for Ecological Transition, when he came to Chennai for the G20. and I am glad to observe that this car seems to be a success on the Indian market, with already a few thousands of it sold in the last year. As we are celebrating a first shipment towards Indonesia, I am pleased to see that Stellantis primarily targets ASEAN countries for exporting its “Make in India” electric vehicles. Working hand in hand to deliver cleaner mobility solutions at affordable prices is an important dimension of the Indo-French contribution to the advent of an open, inclusive and sustainably developed Indo-Pacific region, as highlighted in the Indo-French roadmap for the Indo-Pacific signed last year between our governments.”
Citroen’s export of the e-C3 not only showcases its manufacturing and engineering capabilities but also contributes significantly to India’s goal of establishing a sustainable and globally competitive EV manufacturing ecosystem, the car maker shared. In addition to the e-C3, Citroen has also commenced exporting the C3 to ASEAN and African markets.
Stellantis’ Dare Forward Mission 2030 sets ambitious targets for climate change mitigation, emphasising a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2038 and a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030. With plans for a comprehensive shift towards battery electric vehicles (BEVs), Stellantis aims to lead the industry in decarbonization and contribute to a sustainable future.