The new UK boss of DS believes a focus on offering a premium buying experience with new dealerships and personal customer service is key to growing the brand in Britain.
DS was spun off from fellow Stellantis marque Citroën six years ago, with the aim of creating a French rival to German premium brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. But while DS has shown encouraging growth in some European markets – and is particularly strong in its homeland – it is lagging behind in the UK.
DS sold 2379 cars here in 2020, giving it a market share of just 0.15% – down from 0.19% the previous year.
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UK boss Jules Tilstone, who previously served as the firm’s European commercial chief, told Autocar: “As a new, conquest brand, Covid-19 hit us harder than established brands with showrooms closed. With click-and-collect orders, people will likely stick with the brands they’ve been with for years.
“That reflects the past 12 months. We’re in a significant phase of growth across Europe; some countries have been ahead in that journey, and we [the UK] are behind some of the big countries in mainland Europe. It’s disappointing that Covid-19 hit at a time when we were building momentum.”
Tilstone believes the recent success of the likes of Lexus and Volvo shows that “there’s life outside a German brand” in the premium market, noting that DS outsold the Japanese firm across Europe last year.
DS currently offers the 3 Crossback crossover and 7 Crossback SUV in the UK, and it will add the 9 saloon and 4 hatchback this year. To support those, Tilstone has initiated a plan dubbed Elevation to boost the brand’s fortunes in the UK.
Customer experience is key
As with most other brands, DS has invested in its digital operations during the pandemic, launching a virtual showroom and online sales platforms. But Tilstone believes that physical dealerships are key to selling DS’s French luxury ‘savoir-faire’ approach.
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I think their products make a refreshing change and alternative to the oh so boring usual German garbage that so many people seem to buy.
Can be as premium as they like but when you are spending big bucks on a rehashed psa you will get found out, which is probably why I have never seen a DS3 or 7 crossback.
Can be as premium as they like but when you are spending big bucks on a rehashed psa you will get found out, which is probably why I have never seen a DS3 or 7 crossback.