The DS 9 saloon will be vital in establishing the PSA Group firm as a true premium brand, according to new boss Beatrice Foucher.
The recently revealed car will take on the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series when it goes on sale in 2021, and Foucher said it was vital for the growing DS marque to offer a car in the executive saloon segment.
DS was created as a spin-off company from fellow PSA firm Citroën, with the intention of creating a French brand to take on the upmarket premium market dominated by German firms such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The firm is steadily building a bespoke range of machines, such as the 3 Crossback hatch and the 7 Crossback SUV. The 9 saloon will be the next bespoke model to launch, and will be particularly vital in helping build the brand in China, where premium saloons are hugely popular.
“The DS 9 is a big saloon, and exhibits all the technology and powertrains from the PSA Group, and some technology exclusive to DS,” said Foucher. “The segment share of this type of car remains high, representing around 25% of cars sold in the large premium car market in Europe. It's still a really important segment.
“Having this type of car that embraces technology and has power, control and elegance is the real sign of a premium brand, and it has been acknowledged as a very elegant car based on early feedback. To be recognised as a premium brand you absolutely have to have a premium saloon in your line-up. The best way to provide comfort is to encourage people to drive or be driven in a saloon.
"Our customers still want to drive, and they want to drive this type of car."
The DS range will eventually grow to six models, and the DS 9 saloon is set to be followed by a DS 4 mid-size SUV.
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The original godess is
The original godess is currently spinning in her grave, faster than ever before.
To establish a brand you need
To establish a brand you need an exceptional car. The Lexus LS400 was that, its refinement and silence being class leading.
None of the DS models has that wow factor, whether visually or technically, and Beatrice Foucher knows it, her quotes sound like standard marketing talk, nothing more.
I wish they'll succeed
The DS7 and this be DS9 have amasing interiors, much better than any German in their price range. However, it's safe to say the exterior is not everyone's cup of tea, certainly not mine. But then all German brands look bad these days.