Citroen C3 to begin exporting from India by the end of March

Citroen India is set to begin exporting the locally manufactured Citroen C3 from India by the end of this month. The automaker signed an MoU with Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL) in Tamil Nadu which will allow them to export the hatchback to ASEAN and African countries as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). Citroen also recently came out with the electric version of the C3 which is based on the same platform.

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Citroen C3 to be exported as a CBU

The Citroen C3 was launched in India last year and is manufactured at the automaker’s plant in Tamil Nadu. The newly launched Citroen eC3 is based on the same platform as the ICE hatchback and is manufactured alongside it. Citroen has been able to cut down on a lot of production costs due to this similarity between the two cars. What drives the cost upwards for the electric hatchback is the battery pack, which is exported from China.

Powering the Citroen eC3 is a single electric motor that can produce a peak power output of 57hp and 143Nm torque. In comparison, the ICE C3 produces 110hp and 190Nm. Its nearest rival, Tata Tiago EV produces a maximum power of 74hp (55 kW) and 114Nm peak torque. The 29.2 kWh battery pack offers a driving range of 320km. In comparison, Tata Tiago EV is available in two battery pack options: 19.2 kWh and 24 kWh. The former offers a driving range of 250km while the latter offers 315km.

Citroen plans on extending its reach to the SUV market in India, as the Citroen C3 Aircross is reportedly in the works. This midsize SUV will also spawn an electric variant which will be named eC3 Aircross. Both SUVs could be launched alongside each other later this year.

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Conclusion

Like its ICE sibling, the eC3 will also be exported from India later this year. Citroen C3 was launched in India last year at a starting price of Rs 5.70 lakh. It rivals other hatchbacks and compact SUVs like Tata Punch, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, and Maruti Suzuki Ignis. The eC3 starts at Rs 11.50 lakh and rivals Tata Tiago EV.

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