The company initiated the shipment of 500 units of the e-C3 model to Indonesia from the Kamarajar Port.
Citroen, a renowned French automobile manufacturer, has reached a significant milestone by becoming the first multinational car company in India to export locally produced electric vehicles (EVs) to global markets. The company proudly initiated the export process with a ceremonial dispatch of 500 units of the Citroen e-C3, which is manufactured in India, to Indonesia from the Kamarajar Port. This event marks an important step in India’s progress towards sustainable mobility and international competitiveness.
This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” campaign and Stellantis’ Dare Forward Mission 2030, showcasing Citroen’s dedication to fostering clean, safe, and economical mobility solutions across the world. The export of the e-C3 is a crucial move in Citroen’s efforts to make electric mobility more accessible and to boost the adoption of eco-friendly transportation options worldwide, as stated by the company.
Aditya Jairaj, CEO & MD of Stellantis India, remarked on the significance of the occasion, stating that India is a crucial market and a key sourcing hub for the Stellantis group, including vehicles, components, and mobility technologies. He highlighted that the start of exports of the ‘Made-In-India Citroen e-C3’ electric vehicle to international customers is a reflection of the company’s engineering and development capabilities. Jairaj emphasized the commitment to growth in India and the promotion of sustainable mobility, showcasing India’s manufacturing excellence on a global scale.
Lise Talbot Barre, Consul General of France in Pondicherry and Chennai, expressed that the ‘Make in India’ Citroen e-C3 represents the strength of industrial cooperation between India and France and their shared commitment to cleaner global mobility. She noted that the export of the Citroen e-C3 aligns with the core ambition of the strategic partnership between the two nations, as emphasized during the French Minister for Ecological Transition’s visit to Chennai for the G20. Barre expressed satisfaction with the car’s success in the Indian market and its first shipment to Indonesia, highlighting Stellantis’s focus on exporting its ‘Make in India’ electric vehicles to ASEAN countries. She emphasized the importance of working together to provide cleaner mobility solutions at affordable prices, contributing to the development of an open, inclusive, and sustainably developed Indo-Pacific region, as outlined in the Indo-French roadmap for the Indo-Pacific signed last year between the governments of India and France.
The export of the e-C3 not only demonstrates Citroen’s manufacturing and engineering expertise but also significantly contributes to India’s ambition to establish a sustainable and globally competitive EV manufacturing ecosystem, as shared by the car maker. Besides the e-C3, Citroen has also begun exporting the C3 model to ASEAN and African markets.
Stellantis’ Dare Forward Mission 2030 sets ambitious goals for combating climate change, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2038 and a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030. With plans for a comprehensive transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), Stellantis is determined to lead the industry in decarbonization and contribute to a sustainable future.
This strategic move is to significantly improve the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in India. By capitalizing on the growing demand for environmentally friendly transportation options, this initiative not only supports the expansion of the EV market but also contributes to the nation’s sustainable development goals. As a result, it is expected to have a positive impact on the EV industry, promoting innovation and enhancing the overall infrastructure to accommodate the evolving needs of consumers in the country.