CITROEN expects to achieve worldwide sales of 1.3 million vehicles this year - an increase of 7% from last year, its managing director revealed.

In an exclusive interview with Fleet News, Claude Satinet said the manufacturer was well placed to increase its year-on -year sales because of its 'comprehensive new model range'. Speaking at the show, where Citroen launched its C8 'luxury' people carrier, Satinet said: 'Our policy of developing new models for the range has enabled us to generate strong sales.

'And 2001 was another year of impressive sales growth. Almost 1,250,000 customers around the world bought a Citroen, an increase of 10.9%.'

Satinet said that a combination of 'dynamic sales and balanced growth across all countries' allowed Citroen to beat its sales record for the fifth consecutive year.

'The increase can be seen across the entire range, with Xsara Picasso achieving the biggest success.' He added that the Citroen range was boosted with the launch of the C5 saloon and estate.

Citroen's international fleet director, Thierry Peugeot, said the latest addition to the Citroen range, the C8 people carrier, allowed the manufacturer to present a full range of vehicles to fleet customers.

Describing the new C8 as 'topping off the range' Satinet said it 'sets out to be distinctive and modern'.

'Style was a priority in the development of the C8. The vehicle's sleek, dynamic lines emphasise the Citroen style and dispel any utilitarian connotations,' Satinet said. Citroen has not yet announced prices for the C8, which will be launched in the UK during the second half of the year.

It will be powered by 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre 16-valve petrol engines, and two common-rail diesel HDi 2.0-litre and 2.2–litre engines.