PSA Peugeot Citroen has announced that sales for the first three months of the year amounted to €13,635 million (£9,240 million), a 0.7% increase from the €13,538 million (£9,174 million) in first-quarter 2004.

Vehicle sales rose by 1.2% during the quarter to €11,017 million (£7,464 million). Worldwide unit sales of cars fell by 0.5%, to 822,200 units, reflecting the draw down in dealer inventories, which was steeper (59,000 units) than in the same period in 2004 (56,000 units). Retail sales were therefore stable overall, despite generally weaker automobile demand early in the year.

Launched in 2004, the Peugeot 407 and Citroen C4 sold 63,900 and 65,700 units, respectively. As of March 31, in a European market where demand for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles was down by 1.8%, PSA Peugeot Citroen registrations had declined by 4.1%, for a market share of 14.9%, compared with 15.2% at March 31, 2004.

Unit sales in Western Europe (i.e. vehicles invoiced to dealers) were down 4.8%, to 579,900 units, as dealer inventories were drawn down.