DS, Citroen’s standalone upmarket brand, is set to use the success of its Formula E racing team more aggressively, after British driver Sam Bird’s first victory for the French brand.
DS committed to Formula E as a manufacturer this season, pairing with the Virgin Racing team backed by Richard Branson. Bird took pole position and victory in the opening race in Buenos Aires, Argentina last month.
“The first win for Sam was a real breakthrough and presents an opportunity,” said DS UK boss Arnoud Leclerc. “It is a young team, and victory was perhaps more than we expected so soon, but it is a fantastic sign of what is possible. Such success is coming at exactly the right moment for us, as what we really want is greater awareness of the DS brand.”
Consequently, Arnoud said he would look to push marketing around the e-Prix races scheduled for Paris in April and London in July, and well as looking to build more promotion around Bird himself.
“We want to build with Sam,” he said. “The Formula E championship is very new for all of us, but we have already met Sam several times and, although he is very young, he is very positive and outgoing. He is easy to talk to and he understands the brand. I am sure we can combine and do more together in future.”
Join the debate
Add your comment
DS a brand?
That's what they'll have to be before they can be 'prestige'.