While the first copies were supposed to be delivered before the summer, deliveries of the new Citroën C3 and ë-C3 have been delayed. The issue stems from problems with the software of the French city car.
Praised at its presentation last October, the new Citroën C3 and its electric version have attracted no less than 30,000 buyers. The main reason for this success? Its very attractive starting price set at €14,990 for the petrol version and €23,300 (excluding an ecological bonus of €4,000) for the electric version. However, while the first deliveries were scheduled for the second quarter of 2024, they have been postponed to September, “after the summer break.” This is unfortunate for the Chevron manufacturer who had hoped to release its flagship innovation before Renault launched the new electric R5.
A software defect is responsible for this delay. This several-month postponement is due to “delays with the finishing of the software to be used in mass production” as reported by American colleagues at Bloomberg. Both versions of the French city car, whether it’s the ë-C3 or the version equipped with the 100 hp 1.2 Puretech engine, are affected. While this delay is “acceptable” for the petrol C3, the extended delay is more damaging for the battery model. For buyers wishing to benefit from the social leasing scheme established by the government, deliveries must be guaranteed before September 30, 2024, the deadline.
This is not the first time a manufacturer has faced such an issue. Remember, Porsche and Audi had respectively postponed the release of the new electric Macan and Q6 e-tron by two years. Also, Volkswagen’s ID.3 had experienced bug issues at the beginning of its commercialization. Finally, Volvo had to postpone the production of its large electric SUV, the EX90.
By addressing delays caused by software issues, car manufacturers can work towards meeting consumer expectations and ensuring timely deliveries of their products. These challenges are not uncommon in the industry, as seen with various other manufacturers facing similar obstacles in the development and production of their innovative models.