Citroën Malaysia announces price hike up to RM6,000, effective from January 1st

Kuala Lumpur: Citroën Malaysia has come up first in 2016 to announce a considerable price hike of Citroën vehicles effective from 1st January. The French carmaker is all primed to increase the price of its four models by RM6,000, comprising the Citroën DS3, Citroën DS5 the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso on both of their petrol and diesel variants.

Citroën is not the only brand to come up with price hike announcements though it is the first in the current year. Earlier in 2015, Honda Malaysia announced that the company is looking up to 2% – 3% hike starting from 2016. Also, Nissan Malaysia announced that the company might increase the price of its models in 2016 fearing an expected 6% net loss due to weakening ringgit. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has also said in the past that they will announce a 2 to 7 percent increase in prices depending on the model. However, it was also announced that the company will first review its pricing structure again if the Ringgit appreciates to a better currency in 2016.

The maximum hike among all was announced by another Japanese carmaker UMW Toyota and it's luxury division Lexus. Toyota announced in October that its cheaper cars will face a slight raise like Vios with a 4% while its upper model range with a significant impact like the Alphard could go up to 16%. Even, the local carmaker Proton Malaysia has hinted in the past for a possible price hike in 2016. Although, Proton is striving hard to reduce the operational costs and rationalising operations where necessary.

In the case of Citroën, the company has induced the price hike over its locally manufactured (CKD) vehicles. The hike will be applied on the OTR price with insurance.

The three-door B-Segment hatchback Citroën DS3 will now be revised with an OTR price of RM121,888, facing RM4,000 hike over its earlier price stated at RM117,888.

While the D-segment Citroën DS5 will be made available by the French carmaker at a price tag of RM194,888, counting RM6,000 more than its earlier stated price of RM188,888.

Coming last is the Technospace MPV produced by the company under the title Citroën Grand C4 Picasso (GC4P) will receive an RM6000 hike to RM195,888 for its 2.0 e-HDi turbodiesel variant. While the petrol 1.6 eTHP GC4P variant will cost you RM185,888, earlier priced at RM179,888.

It appears that the Citroën decision might provoke some other international sellers to induce their price hike plans in the country.

Therefore, if you planning to buy a Honda or Nissan or Mitsubishi, grab it fast. But, if you are planning to go for a German legacy from the house of Mercedes-Benz or Volkswagen, then you can surely wait as these carmakers have announced to maintain their prices throughout the year.

Also Read: Citroen to launch revolutionary suspension system in 2017