The store is intended to showcase the DS brand’s French-style luxury and will also inform visitors on the Numéro 9 concept car, which previews the future of the DS line, the DS heritage in the shape of a DS23 Pallas and top-level technology with the record-setting DS3 WRC.

Frédéric Banzet, CEO of Citroën, said at the inauguration: ‘China is our priority market. In a few months’ time, DS5 production will begin locally at the Shenzhen plant, which will also produce the upcoming DS models. Today, we are opening the first DS World in Shanghai, ahead of the DS World in Paris. This stands as proof of our commitment to this country, where we have now been present for over 20 years.’

The DS World opening comes nine months after the Chinese launch of the DS3, DS4 and DS5 and, says the carmaker, confirms China’s number one priority status in its international growth strategy.

It also follows the opening of the first DS Store opened in Nanjing in June 2012. There are now 26 stores in the country’s main cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. This is set to rise to 70 stores by the end of the year, located in 55 cities.