Citroen is setting ambitious residual value targets for its seven-seater C4 Picasso MPV, due for market release next month.
The company is claiming a rise of “at least 50%” on the “loyal servant” Xsara Picasso, which will continue to be sold for the foreseeable future.
Citroen’s head of corporate sales Ian Hughes predicted a 36% residual value figure for the new, larger people carrier. However, Glass’s forecasting editor, Jason King, queried the percentage rise, although he agreed with the general prediction.
King said: “While we reckon the RV is pretty accurate, their increase must be against the worst Xsara example.”
King’s main reservation was that the “pricing is too strong”. He explained: “At about £1000 cheaper it would have performed even better.
“We might get some discounts in the not too distant future. It probably won’t be a big Motability car because it does not fit Citroen’s own perception of the car. Although Citroen maintains the S-Max is its main opposition its most natural rival is the Mazda 5.”
Hughes claimed: “We anticipate at least a 50% improvement in RVs over the Xsara Picasso. It would put us up there with our nominated rival, Ford’s S-Max, and the revised VW Touran seven-seater.”
