Who Owns Citroen?

Citroen's sustainability efforts are integrated within Stellantis's corporate ESG framework. Stellantis's Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan targets carbon net zero by 2038, with intermediate targets for reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles and manufacturing operations.

Citroen's electric vehicle strategy is central to its sustainability positioning. The e-C3, launched in 2024, is an affordable electric vehicle priced under 25,000 euros. The brand plans to offer electric variants across its entire passenger car range by 2025, aligning with European Union regulations requiring zero-emission vehicles to account for a growing share of new car sales. Citroen also offers the e-Berlingo electric commercial van and the e-C4 electric compact crossover.

Stellantis has committed to investing over 30 billion euros in electrification through 2025. The company has established battery manufacturing joint ventures, including Automotive Cells Company (ACC) with Mercedes-Benz and Saft, to produce battery cells in Europe. Citroen EVs use Stellantis's battery technology, including both nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries.

On manufacturing sustainability, Stellantis has set targets to reduce CO2 emissions from its plants by 50% by 2030 compared to 2021 levels. The Poissy plant in France, which produces the Citroen C3, has implemented solar panels and energy efficiency measures. The Trnava plant in Slovakia has achieved ISO 50001 energy management certification.

Citroen does not have independent cruelty-free, vegan, or organic certifications, as these labels are not applicable to automotive brands. The brand's environmental impact is primarily related to vehicle emissions, manufacturing energy use, and material sourcing. Stellantis publishes an annual sustainability report covering environmental performance across all brands, including Citroen.

Citroen has received recognition from several automotive industry organizations. The Citroen C5 X was named Irish Car of the Year 2023 by the Irish Motoring Writers Association. The brand's vehicles have also received recognition from What Car? and Auto Express in the United Kingdom for comfort and value.

The Citroen Berlingo has been named International Van of the Year multiple times, most recently in 2019, by an international jury of commercial vehicle journalists. The Berlingo's combination of practicality, comfort, and value has made it a consistent performer in European commercial vehicle awards.

Citroen's design has been recognized by the Automotive Brand Contest, organized by the German Design Council. The brand's Advanced Comfort program, which focuses on suspension tuning, seat design, and cabin acoustics, has received industry attention for prioritizing comfort over sporty handling, differentiating Citroen from competitors.

The e-C3 was recognized at the 2024 Paris Motor Show as a significant launch in the affordable EV segment. Several European automotive publications named it among the most important new cars of 2024 for its sub-25,000-euro price point, which addresses the affordability gap in the European EV market.

In 2023, Stellantis issued a major recall affecting approximately 286,000 Citroen C3 and DS 3 Crossback vehicles in Europe. The recall was due to a potential fault in the airbag system that could cause the airbags to deploy incorrectly or not deploy at all. The issue was linked to airbag inflators supplied by a third-party manufacturer. Stellantis notified affected owners and replaced the faulty airbag modules free of charge. The recall was part of a broader airbag safety issue affecting multiple automakers globally.

In 2024, Citroen faced scrutiny over the accuracy of its electric vehicle range claims. Several European consumer organizations, including France's UFC-Que Choisir and Germany's ADAC, tested the e-C4 and found that real-world electric range was approximately 20-25% lower than the official WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) figures. Citroen stated that WLTP figures are standardized laboratory measurements and that real-world range varies based on driving conditions, temperature, and usage patterns. This discrepancy is an industry-wide issue affecting all automakers, not specific to Citroen.

In 2022, Citroen was fined 5 million euros by French authorities for misleading advertising related to the environmental performance of some diesel models. The French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) found that certain advertising claims about CO2 emissions and fuel consumption did not match real-world performance. Citroen corrected the advertising materials and paid the fine.

The Stellantis emissions scandal, which originated with PSA Group, has also affected Citroen. In 2020, French prosecutors opened an investigation into alleged emissions cheating in PSA Group diesel engines. The investigation focused on whether PSA Group used defeat devices similar to those in the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal. Stellantis has cooperated with the investigation and stated that its vehicles comply with all applicable regulations. The investigation is ongoing as of 2025.