PSA Peugeot Citroen achieved record sales in 2000, exceeding its sales target of 2,700,000 vehicles by 116,000 units.

The performance represents a 11.7% increase compared to a global car market up by about 4%.

Citroen recorded record sales for the fourth year in a row, while Peugeot has seen sales grow by 40% in the past three years.

In the UK, the latest new car registrations figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to the end of November show Peugeot with a 4.14% increase in sales year-on-year (180,955) registrations), while Citroen was enjoying a 14.71% increase (80,418 registrations).

PSA says it ended the year with a combined market share of 12.4% and sales growth of 8.9%. Peugeot, it said, set a record with 202,200 registrations, while sales by Citroen "climbed by 19%".

In Europe PSA consolidated its position as one of the top two manufacturers of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, widening its share of the market to 13.7% from 12.7% in 1999. Registrations totalled 2,300,000, up 7% in a market down by 1.2%.

A PSA statement gives a positive outlook on 2001. "In 2001, the European market is expected to remain as buoyant as it has been since 1999. The group will maintain its growth momentum with the launch of a series of new models," the statement reads.

PSA has set a year 2001 sales target of 3,000,000 vehicles, growth of 6.3%.