1970 Citroen Ds on 2040-cars

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2013 Citro"en C3 Picasso exemplifies utility, cubist charm

We Americans are far too self-conscious to widely adopt the immensely utilitarian MPV, opting for bloated, high-riding crossovers. In Europe, on the other hand, vehicles like the Citroen C3 Picasso are optimal for families in towns where the streets were once farm paths.
This funky people-mover was first unveiled in 2007 and has gone on to move more than 320,000 units in sales. Citroën brought very little to the table in the way of specs, but from what we can tell, the visual updates are on the subtle side, bringing it more in line with the rest of the French automaker's product offerings. The free-floating double-chevron logo of Citroen is now anchored by faux vents that run from headlight to headlight. Upper and lower grilles now have a honeycomb pattern, and LED running lights have been added below the fog lights.
Pricing and availability have not yet been released, but that information will become available as the C3 Picasso nears its arrival in dealerships in January of 2013. More details are available in the press release below.

Stellantis suspends vehicle production in Russia

MILAN - Stellantis on Tuesday said it was suspending production at its Russian plant due to logistical difficulties and sanctions imposed on Moscow. The world's fourth-largest automaker, which produced and sold the Peugeot, Citro¸n, Opel, Jeep, and Fiat brands in Russia, has just 1% of the country's car market. It runs a van-making plant in Kaluga, around 125 miles (201 kilometres) southeast of Moscow, co-owned with Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi, which halted production at the facility earlier this month. "Given the rapid daily increase in cross sanctions and logistical difficulties, Stellantis has suspended its manufacturing operations in Kaluga to ensure full compliance with all cross sanctions and to protect its employees," Stellantis said in a statement. The plant employs 2,700 people. The company will continue to pay salaries through a local downtime scheme and by using anticipated vacation periods, Stellantis told Reuters. It said it did not know how long the stoppage would last, adding that its priority was its staff and the return of peace. Stellantis had already suspended all exports and imports of vehicles with Russia, following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, moving production to western Europe. It had also said it was freezing plans for more investments in the country. Van production in Kaluga had remained just for the local market. Scores of foreign companies have announced temporary shutdowns of stores and factories in Russia or said they were leaving the country for good since Russia began what it calls "a special military operation" in Ukraine on Feb. 24. Stellantis Chief Executive Carlos Tavares in late March said the group would have to close the Kaluga plant shortly as it was running out of parts. Separately on Tuesday, General Motors Co said it was extending its suspension of business in Russia due to the conflict and international sanctions. The U.S. automaker, which initially suspended imports into Russia and commercial activity on Feb. 28, said it was laying off most of its 66 employees and providing them with separation packages. GM does not have plants in Russia and only sold about 3,000 vehicles annually there prior to the suspension. (Additional reporting by Ben Klayman in Washington; Editing by Mark Potter and Mark Porter) Government/Legal Plants/Manufacturing Fiat Jeep Citroen Opel Peugeot

Citro"en C3 is updated for hatchback battling in 2013 [w/video]

As promised, Citroën has brought along its new C3 to Geneva this year, with high hopes that the hatchback will be a strong competitor versus the hegemony of Golf in the European compact market. (And a worsening market, at that.)
The C3's gigantic windshield is still in place for the 2013 model year, though revisions to the grille, LED running lamps, taillights and front/rear fascias can be seen. Engine choices now include two three-cylinder gasoline engines, in 68- and 82-horsepower flavors, as well as a 120-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder. A very Gallic selection of four diesel motors is also on tap, with outputs ranging from 70 to 115 horsepower. UK buyers will see the new C3 in dealerships starting this summer.
Citroën's full press release for the updated C3 can be found below, and our live images from Geneva are in the attached gallery. You'll also find the official C3 debut video, just below.