PSA Peugeot Citroen, Europe's second-largest carmaker, will launch its high-end DS models as it seeks to tap rising Chinese demand for premium vehicles.

Changan PSA Automobiles Co, a joint venture between the French carmaker and its Chinese partner Changan Automobile Group, will offer the imported DS4 coupe and DS5 crossover as the first two models as it officially introduced the DS to China yesterday.

"We think it's the right moment to launch DS in China because the premium car market here is booming, and a new generation of consumers want something different from the traditional premium car brands," said Arnaud Ribault, general manager of DS division at Changan PSA Automobiles Co.

China's premium car sector has driven upwards against the downward trend in auto sales. In the first quarter this year, the segment's sales expanded 36.7 percent, according to Morgan Stanley, against a 3.4 percent sales decline across all sectors, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said.

Ribault said DS aims to sell 200,000 units in China in 2015. To increase the DS brand visibility, Changan PSA will set up a DS dealer network separate from the existing one of its Citroen brand.

The first two DS stores in China were opened this month in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province and Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, with another 31 to be unveiled this year.

Ribault said the DS3 hatchback will be launched in September and by 2015, there will be three locally produced and two imported DS models available in the domestic market, including one SUV.

Source:shanghaidaily.com