Citroen's proposed SUV will be in the mainstream
Citroen’s forthcoming SUV, due in 2017, will closely resemble the striking Aircross concept revealed at this year’s Shanghai motor show, ceo Linda Jackson says.
“Yes, the Aircross is a concept car, so there’s an element of exaggeration,” she said. “But if you look at the Cactus, the production version wasn’t far from the concept. It will be the same with the Aircross, meaning it will have a more rounded and less aggressive shape than rivals.”
Jackson also suggested that the new model will be positioned in the heart of the SUV market. She said: “Many manufacturers are trying to move upmarket these days, but I’m totally comfortable with us being in the mainstream. That’s where we’ve always been, it’s the right place for us and I’m not shy about saying so.”
However, she does want Citroen to regain its reputation for making cars that stand out from the crowd.
“The Cactus is a great example of where we want to go,” she said. “Future Citroens don’t necessarily have to be better than their rivals, but they do have to be different.
“This is now more important than ever because it’s not like 10 or 15 years ago when you could differentiate between brands on quality. Everyone in the mainstream is at much the same level, so the challenge for all manufacturers is to find something else that marks them out.”
-Telegraph Group Ltd