Citroen To Relaunch Iconic Ds, Allegedly....

[Andmcit]

I can now see where Citroen is going here with all this now although only after some
bafflement.

In essence they are aiming to get back to their core values in terms of innovative engineering
where they were SEEN in the past to be a real star turn with that truly amazing car that was
THE Moonshot shock to the system advancement = the magic DS!!

This had earned Citroen their innovators reputation more than any other model. Now released
from their straightjacket by an apparently enlightened forward thinking MD at PSA Group their
future needs to sell on strong core values with their strength being Innovative Technology
rather than the almost desperate and totally unconvincing bargain basement bucket shop
holiday cheapie - how can any customer take ANY product seriously from a company that
does this and then presents a so called technical tour de force costing a few arms and legs!?

So "DS Inside" concept described as the DS3 is a car that has it's soul and heart drawn
directly from it's distant forebear and is being priced accordingly and sold as a unique niche
alongside a totally different range.

The shared platforms modular approach to manufacturing and PSA's global logistics and
ties/joint ventures allow Citroen to be that niche manufacturer and Peugeot can mop up the
rest and do what it is it does well selling popular more acceptable as its more conventional
European mainstream model range.

The public desire and genuine interest in concepts like the Matisse and the GTbyCitroen has
shown Citroen they can make winning products that will make sales (and plenty of money)
and the latest designs coming out of the design studio appear to have a passion and strong
sense of purpose again with a clear vision. The Hypnos crossover coupe 4 by 4 or whatever
thingywhatyoumacallit is a sexier noughties version of my Xantia Estate and I actually want
one now - the sheer style it oozes just eclipses Beemer or Audi etc!

I reckon, these are interesting exciting times for Citroen!

Andrew

This post has been edited by Andmcit on February 07, 2009 01:37 pm

[citroeneer]

well it does look innovative, but where's the 'DS' part of the car ?

[Andmcit]

I totally agree; this new Lexuseque Mini doesn't appear to set new standards as much as the latest
round of simlarly stlyled show cars. Maybe its smart technology is under the skin with hybrid drive
and hub motors in an attractive 'safe' styled car to ease consumers into a new mindset from Citroen?
What is new is the significant change in attitude and the acceptance of its past after decades of
deliberately ignoring a past heritage other car manufacturersb would give their eye teeth to have!
I cannot recall the last time I saw an official website from Citroen featuring references to a Cx Xm
and Gs, yet on the innovation area there they are along with the satellite GSA switch pods!!

As far as I can see, this new attitude may go beyond the mere fluff of marketing BS and adspeak!
Here's hoping!

Andrew

[jorgy9]

At last it seems those looooong dark miserable ages where they were ashamed of their achievements, is now O-V-E-R! The first clue was the new C5.

But it's quite amazing how well they kept the secret of this new "DS" line: the press gets to know and next thing u know....the cars are in the showrooms!

cheers
G

[dean]

Hi all

Was at my local Cit dealer yesterday having a chat about this new DS thing, apparently they have no idea what the other 2 cars in the range will look like and they have only just been shown the DS3 which has been put back until April now.
It will have to be housed in its own part of the showroom too, away from all the cheapo cits so it does seem like they are striving for a Lexus style re brand. They have even been issued DS, CX, XM and SM posters to go up to show off the Citroen bloodline, and no they wouldn't let me have them ....................yet .
Also they say business is good, with 6 £35 a year road tax cars in the range, with economy on peoples minds they are selling well, which is good news, the ford dealership across the way doesn't look very active though .

D

[DerekW]

"the ford dealership across the way doesn't look very active though"

I'm not surprised, they (and Vauxhall) complain they're not selling cars so their answer is to put the prices up!