Citroën is quietly putting back on sale its Berlingo model incorporating a thermal engine, a little less than two years after its exit from the market.
The car manufacturer is preparing for the year 2024 with several different areas of development. On the one hand, it continues on the path to electrification with the presentation last week of the new Citroën ë-Berlingo, which will arrive in dealerships in spring 2024. On the other, the French manufacturer is reversing course, and relaunching the model in petrol and diesel versions, without obviously shouting it too much from the rooftops.
The return of the thermal Berlingo
The time is not particularly good for those who want to reduce the use of fossil fuels. At the international level, it is thus a Cop 28 which produces an agreement not talking about an exit from hydrocarbons. And on a daily basis, it is the return of certain thermal cars on the market, such as the Citroën Berlingo.
Indeed, the French firm has quietly put the petrol and diesel Berlingo model back on the market, as we can see on its website. A model which had nevertheless been taken off the market at the start of 2022, and on which the Stellantis brand does not wish to communicate excessively. The Berlingo must “ return in thermal version in the catalogs of certain European countries next year » she simply expressed.
An admission of failure for the electric Berlingo?
A decision which surprises, but which could be an admission of failure, sales of the Berlingo having collapsed from the moment when the thermal versions were no longer available for sale. However, Citroën defends itself against a return to the pre-2022 situation and indicates that only “ small volumes » will be produced thermally.
It should also be noted that among the brands belonging to the giant Stellantis, Citroën is an exception. Only the latter is relaunching the petrol or thermal MPV, while its equivalents at Peugeot (the Rifter) and Opel (Opel Combo Life) remain accessible only in their electric version.
Source : Challenges
26