Since its launch in April 2020, Citroen is something of a surprise to the micro-mobility market thanks to its conception thought out to design an affordable object, its online purchase journey like any other current consumer goods and its extended distribution via the Fnac and Darty networks. Popular and community maker, it’s at the heart of many events such as Milan Design Week and the International Youth Games, which took place this year in Brussels.
Already marketed in 9 countries in Europe, Citroen Ami is now available in the United Kingdom and in Turkey since June. Adopted by private individuals, liberal professions, large industrial and service groups, with more than 23.000 counter orders, including the very exclusive “My Ami Buggy”, Citroen’s success knows no borders.
France is the largest market with more than 13,300 orders, of which 83% are from private customers and 17% from business customers. Ami is number 1 in the electric quadricycle market and number 2 in the market for all energies combined, with a market share of 26% at the end of May. Between May 2021 and May 2022, the quadricycle market grew by 9.7%, driven by the arrival of Ami. Registrations have increased by 47% in only one year.
In Italy, Ami is a real success. The second country deployed is also the second largest market after France, with over 6,700 orders. In the first quarter of 2022, Ami is the market leader in quadricycles with 31% of registrations, and a market share that rises to more than 65% for electric quadricycles alone. Ami has won over many private individuals, who represent 94% of buyers.
Spain and Belgium are neck and neck with 780 and 724 orders respectively. The Spanish market is driven by 75% private customers while the Belgian market has 42% business customers, and Ami is already the leader in the quadricycle segment at the end of May 2022.
In the Portuguese market, Ami sells to both private and business customers, with 476 orders to date. It is number 1 for quadricycles with a 35% market share at the end of May.
Ami is preparing to cross the English Channel. The launch in the UK has a unique story to tell. Despite the steering wheel is mounted on the left, the public interest was so strong that everything has been put in place to propose Ami to British customers. As soon as the prices were announced, on last 24 May, 2,000 pre-orders have already been received, which bodes well for a very promising start to the market. Overseas versions of Ami are still left-hand drive. There are several advantages to this: there is no increase in the cost of Ami, something that would have been unavoidable in the event of industrial conversion to right-hand drive, and the driver is able to get out of the vehicle safely on the pavement side when parked.
In Turkey, orders were opened to business customers from September 2021. Nearly 400 orders were recorded on the dedicated selling website. In the Turkish market, Ami is the most affordable offering and is particularly appreciated for the protection it provides compared to other two-wheelers on the roads. On 20 June, individuals were able to access the online sale of 50 Ami and, to our great surprise, they sold out in just 25 minutes, demonstrating the strong interest in the little quadricycle whose presence in Turkey is expected to increase in the coming months! These first buyers will take delivery in August.
The 641 orders from Morocco and Turkey came almost exclusively from business customers, as Ami was marketed primarily at entrepreneurs who see this mobility object as an economical, agile and safe means of running their errands.
A SMART SOLUTION THAT APPEALS TO PROFESSIONALS
For companies, Ami complements their fleet, helping to reduce their carbon footprint and offering the advantage of a very low cost of ownership.
It is particularly well suited to companies whose activities require them to make short, frequent daily trips around town, companies that are, like individuals, affected by city traffic. Tradespeople, professionals, craftsmen, local authorities, service companies and industrial sites that need to make deliveries or provide services will find Ami or Ami Cargo the ideal partner for conducting and develop their business because of its practicality and agility.
Some companies see the pragmatic side, adorning their Ami in company or brand colours and using them as a means of communication. This is particularly the case in France with Darty Royan’s Ami Cargo, which, thanks to their loading area of over 400 litres in place of the passenger seat, can be used to deliver small electrical appliances to its customers while advertising on the move around the city and its suburbs. Using the “Custom My Ami” system developed by Citroen with its partner Faab Fabricauto, bespoke covering can be created, from an image or logo.
Ami is also a hit in Spain. After delivering one to Parc Warner, Citroen has just delivered 9 units to an Arcelor-Mittal plant in Sagunto. Committed to sustainable development, the steel group has chosen Ami, which has zero CO2 emissions, to operate the routes between its plant’s various warehouses.
In Belgium, 15 Ekoservices-branded Ami vehicles hit the road last February. This company, the leading local services operator in Wallonia and Brussels, is committed to providing constant support to its workers. This is demonstrated by its investment in the development of model homes dedicated to training for the home help profession. It was therefore natural for the group to respond to another need, the mobility issues encountered by its employees. The 15 Ami were made available to them for commuting.
On 13 April, 50 Amis were delivered to ADS Carsoft, the car diagnostics specialist. This choice was guided by the practical, economical and ecological benefits of the quadricycle, which will be used for employee car-sharing in the Group’s establishments and in the cities in which they operate.
In Portugal, 160 My Ami Cargo joined the fleet of the CTT postal distribution group. “My AMI Cargo has a loading space that suits our activities and the short trips we need to take. It has enough range and its speed is perfect for getting around the urban centres. Its ultra-compact dimensions make it easier to navigate the particularly narrow Portuguese streets, allowing postmen to manoeuvre and park easily,” says Joao Bento, CEO of CTT.
A most original idea. A partnership has been formed with Habitat Invest, with a view to a potential order for over 400 Ami as part of the promotion of a real estate programme in Lourès, which includes a house and an Ami in each sales agreement. “From the outset, our aim was to provide something different for the Aurya programme, incorporating the environmental and sustainable aspect while at the same time providing a useful service for our customers. Ami fits perfectly with our initial vision as it represents an urban mobility solution that will allow our future residents to enjoy a clean vehicle for their short daily journeys,” says Luis Corrêa de Barros, Founder and CEO of Habitat Invest.
Portway, an air cargo ground handling company operating at Portuguese airports, has purchased 11 My Ami Cargo and 2 Amis. These quadricycles are equipped with a solar panel that generates electricity to power an on-board socket and connect a PDA, a printer and a beacon. This fleet of Ami is currently working at Lisbon airport and will soon reach Porto, Faro and Funchal airports. According to Helena Franca, CEO of Portway, “Ami is very well suited to Portway’s operations, especially for driving on the smaller roads adjacent to airports where speed is limited. Its compact size makes it very agile on the runways, which is essential for our activities.”
In Morocco, following an agreement signed in 2020, with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, between Barid Al Maghrib – Morocco’s postal service – and Stellantis, a version of Ami was specially developed to modernize and expand its mail and parcel delivery network. Since 14 June, 225 Moroccan postmen have been able to swap their two-wheelers for greater safety and be noticed at the wheel of their Ami in 42 cities. The Moroccan post office now has the largest electric fleet in the Kingdom and also the largest Ami fleet in the world. Through this initiative, it is positioning itself as a pioneer in eco-mobility.
In Greece, Ami roams the streets on Halki, a Greek island that is leading the way in the energy transition, having chosen to equip itself with emission-free vehicles. Citroen has supplied the public authorities with a fleet of 6 electric vehicles: two Ami, which are respectively used by the police and the coast guard, for surveillance and prevention. The islanders will also have the opportunity to acquire electric vehicles at affordable prices.
Acting on the same principle, Citroen recently delivered 9 electrified vehicles, including 7 Ami, to the authorities on the island of La Maddalena to promote sustainable mobility. Two WallBox have also been provided for charging these vehicles and benefits are offered to residents who wish to purchase an electric vehicle from the brand.
