Citroen's upcoming electric vehicle is a revival of the iconic 2CV design, with a target price under £15,000. The company aims to revive Europe's stagnant cheap car market by offering a super affordable and utilitarian electric car. This move is seen as a bold attempt to bring back a classic design that was popular in the late 1940s.
The new electric Citroen 2CV will have 'exactly the same purpose as the 2CV did in the late 1940s' in reigniting buyer demand in a stagnant European car market. This means it will be designed to provide 'buying power' to consumers who don't really have it on the auto market today, or don't have much choice in that regard.
Citroen's CEO Xavier Chardon has compared the European market landscape to that of the late 1940s, when super-affordable and utilitarian 'people's cars' like the 2CV, Fiat 500, Volkswagen Beetle and Austin Mini helped to reinvigorate an automotive industry — and wider economy — that had been decimated by World War II.
The new electric Citroen 2CV will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. The company is drawing inspiration from the original 2CV design, which was known for its quirky and utilitarian style. However, it's unclear how much of the classic design will be retained in the modern electric version.
Citroen leadership believe that a new electric Citroen 2CV can help to revive Europe's stagnant cheap car market. They are aiming to provide consumers with a super affordable and utilitarian electric car that can compete with other models in the market.
The target price of the new electric Citroen 2CV is under £15,000, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. This move is seen as a bold attempt by Citroen to bring back a classic design with modern technology.
Citroen's CEO Xavier Chardon has stated that 'what is more important than the 2CV is to understand the purpose of the car at that time.' He believes that the new electric Citroen 2CV will have a similar purpose as the original 2CV, which was to bring mobility to the masses after World War II.
However, it's unclear how much of this purpose can be translated to today's market. The European auto market has changed significantly since the 1940s, and consumers' needs and preferences have shifted accordingly.
The new electric Citroen 2CV is an interesting attempt by Citroen to bring back a classic design with modern technology. It remains to be seen whether this will be successful in reviving Europe's stagnant cheap car market.
The new electric Citroen 2CV is an interesting attempt to bring back a classic design with modern technology.
