Citroen's target demographic for its $7K Ami plastic car: 14-year-olds
09-10-20, 08:09 AM
#1
Citroen's target demographic for its $7K Ami plastic car: 14-year-olds
Because no license is needed, automaker sees an untapped market
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74VfCw1FE2s&feature=emb_title
PARIS — France's Citroen has a new vehicle it hopes will reach a market most major carmakers have not tapped — drivers as young as 14.
The French automaker's tiny two-seater Citroen Ami vehicle is powered by a modest 6 kilowatt electric motor, so under French legislation it can be driven by someone as young as 14 and no driving license is required.
The vehicle has a 45 km (27 miles) per hour top speed, its bodywork is plastic and it has a no-frills interior.
But it has features likely to appeal to tech-savvy teenagers and is on sale alongside smartphones and video game consoles in a major chain of French electronics stores.
In France, to buy the most basic version will cost 6,000 euros ($7,100 at current exchange rates). Citroen said it has so far taken 1,000 orders for the vehicle from customers in France. It can also be leased for €19.99 (about $24) per month after making a €2,644 (around $3,100) down payment.
"The first client who came ... was a teenager and his dad," said Olivier Garcia, head of products for French electronics retailer Fnac Darty.
He said they were looking for a safer alternative to an electric scooter or a moped, the usual modes of transport young French people use to zip around cities.
"So that's a share of our customers that is not negligible," said Garcia.
The French automaker's tiny two-seater Citroen Ami vehicle is powered by a modest 6 kilowatt electric motor, so under French legislation it can be driven by someone as young as 14 and no driving license is required.
The vehicle has a 45 km (27 miles) per hour top speed, its bodywork is plastic and it has a no-frills interior.
But it has features likely to appeal to tech-savvy teenagers and is on sale alongside smartphones and video game consoles in a major chain of French electronics stores.
In France, to buy the most basic version will cost 6,000 euros ($7,100 at current exchange rates). Citroen said it has so far taken 1,000 orders for the vehicle from customers in France. It can also be leased for €19.99 (about $24) per month after making a €2,644 (around $3,100) down payment.
"The first client who came ... was a teenager and his dad," said Olivier Garcia, head of products for French electronics retailer Fnac Darty.
He said they were looking for a safer alternative to an electric scooter or a moped, the usual modes of transport young French people use to zip around cities.
"So that's a share of our customers that is not negligible," said Garcia.
Source
09-10-20, 08:17 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
I have heard of this type of car before for this European market segment. It is impressive that they can design, build and service this car profitably.
09-10-20, 08:22 AM
#3
This is what is known as a voiture sans permis and is unique to France. Rather than being driven by 14 year olds they tend to be driven by people who have lost their license through drink driving. It enables people to get about remote villages while banned. Often a local bar will have one of these and it will be passed round the regulars as they lose their license.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-...%20the%20wheel.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-...%20the%20wheel.
09-10-20, 11:49 AM
#5
This is what is known as a voiture sans permis and is unique to France. Rather than being driven by 14 year olds they tend to be driven by people who have lost their license through drink driving. It enables people to get about remote villages while banned. Often a local bar will have one of these and it will be passed round the regulars as they lose their license.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-...%20the%20wheel.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-...%20the%20wheel.
09-10-20, 09:03 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
I think it's a good idea. It will help prospective new drivers develop steering, braking, and maneuvering skills without having to depend on electronics and virtual-drive (except for the electric motor, of course).
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