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Citroën may sell cars in Canada, eh
While in France for the 2006 Paris Motor Show, every time Eric Bryant and I passed a Citroën C4 he would comment, "Damn, those C4s are nice". Indeed they are Eric, and we may soon be able to direct you across the river into Windsor if you'd like to purchase one. It seems the Citroën is eyeing Canadia as its next potential overseas market, according Ward's Auto. A few conditions make this move a smart one for Citroën. First, it's just plain easier to get a vehicle certified for sale in Canada than it is in the U.S., what with the whole National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Environmental Protection Agency breathing down your neck. Canada has equivalent government agencies and standards, but they're not as difficult to please as our own. Second, Canada is developing new auto emissions laws for 2010 that could make Citroën's Euro-market diesel engines very attractive, assuming the new rules favor lower greenhouse gas emissions rather than reducing nitrogen-oxide production. Finally, there's Quebec, the bastion of Franco culture in Canada that accounts for 23 percent of all vehicle purchases there. Citroën should expect a particularly warm welcome in its home away from home of Quebec.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike from Scarborough 1:46PM (10/06/2006)
Who cares about the French,,I live in Ontario and am exited to see more Euro cars here than the boring Asian cars that that have littered our roads. Having more choice is a good thing.Maybe it will push the big 2 to bring us more reliable,eficient and cheap products.The fact that Toyota will be the #1 soon,hasn't pushed GM,Ford,or DCX to clean up their act sooner.Maybe this will help.
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ChaoZ 1:47PM (10/06/2006)
Citroën shouldn't expect that warm a welcome from Quebec. They don't care a damn about whether or not a car is French or not. Like the rest of the Canadian market, a lot depends on value and reliability.
That said, we are definitely more accomodating to small, pratical cars than the U.S. market. After all, Toyota Yarises (Yari?) sell by the boatload here.
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David 1:58PM (10/06/2006)
Please, please make the US Citroen's next stop. How I lust after those cars! I don't care if they require more frequent repairs and what-not. They're rolling works of art and I'd be first in line to purchase.
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Simon Speichert 2:00PM (10/06/2006)
As a Canadian, I'll welcome Citroen with open arms. Just give me a turbocharged C4 so I can pretend I'm Sebastien Loeb!
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Brandon 2:02PM (10/06/2006)
I can honestly say, this news has made my day. I know the deal isnt completely set in stone, but if they're smart, they'll do it. Often times I admire the fact that us Canadians get some cars our neighbors to the south don't get, it just makes things that much more interesting.
Citroen, if you see this, please take note that I'd certainly be your first customer to sign on the dotted line.
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Kowell 2:06PM (10/06/2006)
Like others said... I'll welcome this car caus it's nice looking and if the price is right it'S a good alternative to any other car.... but I don't give a **** that's it'S french made....
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Dirk Dundenburg 2:08PM (10/06/2006)
Are these good cars in the homeland? I have no idea about these vehicles but I'd be interested in checking one out if they get to Canada.
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car-truck.net 2:37PM (10/06/2006)
Awww yeah boy-eeee, Windsor represented on Autoblog.
Seriously, Citroën in CA would be nice, been a fan of them for while, and I'd like to see more competition in the attractive three door hatch category. But don't be too jealous, Canada isn't home, natively at least, to any Scion xB or Dodge Stratus for the past few years.
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KC 2:42PM (10/06/2006)
I'd rather see Renault return to North America through Nissan dealerships.
But, as all of us other canucks have said thus far, I'd be game to check out Ciroen's lineup if they opened up some dearlerships up here.
I'd take a Citroen over an unknown Chinese brand as a newcommer to the Canadian market anyday.
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Chris 3:01PM (10/06/2006)
"First, it's just plain easier to get a vehicle certified for sale in Canada than it is in the U.S., what with the whole National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Environmental Protection Agency breathing down your neck. Canada has equivalent government agencies and standards, but they're not as difficult to please as our own."
This is a very misleading statement. I'd like to know in what regard Canada's standards are lower than the U.S. Daytime Running Lights were required in Canada first and our bumper standards are higher than the U.S., 5mph vs 2.5. I'm sure there are other instances, but in general, I would say Canada's requirements are actually HIGHER not lower than that of the U.S. I love the site, but do your research.
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FordMania 3:11PM (10/06/2006)
The four door isn't bad looking. The coupe version brings back bad memories of my sisters Pontiac Aztec...YUCK!
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Professor Gascan 4:01PM (10/06/2006)
To build on what Chris said, you'll note that there are several cars that are sold in the US that are not sold in Canada simply because they don't meet our bumper standards. The Mitsubishi Evolution, Pontiac GTO, and VW R32 being prime examples for car enthusiasts.
Perhaps there are aspects of the certification process that are easier in Canada than they are in the US, but our standards are definitely not less stringent.
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fizzandpop 3:50PM (10/06/2006)
10: It's probably not that the standards are lower. It's easier to get certified in Canada because the US car companies are not able to loby the government to quite the extent that they can in the corrupt ol' US of A. Just look at the shit Branson has to swim through to get his US budget airline launched. The US airlines may be bloated and bankrupt, but they've still got plenty of money and talent to throw around when it comes time to squash potential competition. But we do still live in a free market democracy, I'm told so every day.
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B-NOIT 4:35PM (10/06/2006)
We had the previous-gen Yaris (Echo Hatchback) and we've had the Smart for a couple of years now... Canada definitely favours economical cars, seeing as the big battle for best-seller in the country is between the Honda Civic and Mazda3. Citroën would take a couple of years to establish itself but it would definitely sell well, especially in Montreal, where euro-flavour is pretty much palpable. Definitely a good idea.
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maaxm 4:44PM (10/06/2006)
There's not only the bumper standards, but also the seat belts standards that is different. I'm not sure what's different, but for exemple we don't get cars where the only seat belt is in the door, like previous generation nissan sentra se-r. Is as to be anchor to the b-pillar/floor.
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mcheddadi 6:51PM (10/06/2006)
"Who cares about the French" -Mike from Scarborough
FU
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Mike from Scarborough 7:54PM (10/06/2006)
Right back at you #16...I'm surprised you can write english.Your shhhpeal in Quebec is getting tired.I'm neither French,or English.....I'm Canadian..
"Salute"
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B-NOIT 8:15PM (10/06/2006)
I'm also Canadian, Mike from Scarborough. However, my French and English are both essentially perfect. Will you insult me for mastering more than one language?
Let's leave this ridiculous historical debate out of this car forum and concentrate on, you know, cars.
Même si le français est ma langue maternelle, je ne suis aucunement Québécois, ni Français, ni Belge, ni Marocain. Je suis Canadien. Il est temps d'arrêter de jeter tout le monde dans le même bateau et de réaliser que ce débat de langues n'a actuellement aucune fondation. Ouvrez vos yeux.
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beken 8:15PM (10/06/2006)
Canadia, huh? Looks like a typo.
I am told the EVO didn't make it to Canada because the intercooler is mounted too low. There are differences in regulation between Canada and US but I wouldn't think one is more stringent than the other. The overall cost differences in producing a car for either country is probably minor. A lot of cars from established manufacturers won't make it to Canada just because of the market size. I would suspect, with the US market being about 10 times the size of Canada, Citroen is being prudent in testing out the North American market. If they do well in Canada, they'll probably try and expand south.
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Mike from Scarborough 9:11PM (10/06/2006)
Your right #18...I sorry..I love Quebecors just as much as the next Guy.It was meant to be funny in a weird way.Anyway Hope you solve your Bridge issues in Motreal,,,My cousins live in Laval.I think this car will do well,if it is priced right.I would like to see Renault and Peugot here too...They make awesome rally cars.....
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