Citroën to exit the Australian market

Citroën is set to leave the Australian new-car market this November, ending a long history that goes back more than a century and includes milestones for the marque here, like being the first automobile to circumnavigate Australia.

Although Citroën’s presence in the Australian market has always been small, it has been constant. Some sources suggest the first units arrived here a year after the marque was founded by Andre Citroën in 1919, while others point to 1923 for the French marque’s local debut. The 5CV driven around Australia in 1925 was a 1923-model that now resides in the National Museum of Australia.

The Traction Avant (known locally as the Saloon, Light 15 and Six), was available either side of World War II, with the 2CV added to the Australian range in 1954. A locally-assembled version of the ID19 was released in 1956, with Citroën’s presence maintained by the likes of the GS and CX in the years that followed.

In the 1970s and ’80s, quota systems for imported cars meant Citroën remained a niche brand, with less than 1,000 sales annually and sometimes only a few hundred. In the new millennium, a more open market saw sales increase, with the XM, Xantia, Xsara and Berlingo van leading the way. Various iterations of the C2, C3 and C4 hatchbacks, C5 sedan/wagon and C6 sedan followed. These models saw annual Australian sales peak at 3,803 units in 2007.

It's been a steady decline since, compounded by a limited range and the growth of cheaper Chinese brands. Local sales dropped below 1,000 units in 2016, then less than 500 two years later. Despite a post-Covid rebound in 2022, sales have been in freefall this year, with just 87 recorded for the Jan-Jun period.

"The decision for Citroën Australia to cease new vehicle sales was not made lightly,” said David Owen, General Manager Citroën Australia. “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.”

Orders for new cars will not be taken after 1 November, but Citroën Australia says servicing, via 35 authorised Service Centres across the country, will remain, with all service plans and warranties (5 year/unlimited km) honoured.