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PSA unions vote in favor of merger with Fiat Chrysler

PARIS — The majority of unions representing workers at Peugeot maker PSA are in favor of a planned $50 billion merger with Fiat Chrysler, PSA executives and union representatives said. However, the unions said that once the merger deal was signed, they would be seeking detailed information about the plans for the combined company. At a PSA works council meeting, all trade union representatives on the council voted to give a favorable opinion on the merger. "We will remain vigilant about the social impact and await a clearer and more detailed picture of the plan's implications for plants, volume, and how much work will be given to the foundries," said Franck Don, representative of the CFTC union. "But the project in the form it's been presented makes sense because the two groups complement each other, are in good financial health, and thanks to the new format will attain a critical size which is vital in the auto business today." The merger would help the firms pool resources to meet tough new emissions rules and investments in electric and self-driving vehicles, as well as counter a broader downturn in car markets. Securing support from Europe's powerful trade unions will be critical for the merged company, which will employ more than 400,000 staff and operate hundreds of factories worldwide. The deal has stirred concerns in Germany and Britain where plants making Opel and Vauxhall cars have seen jobs cut in recent year as part of a cost-cutting drive. UAW/Unions Chrysler Fiat Citroen Peugeot PSA

Stellantis reveals Citroen e-C3, first of EVs on affordable platform to compete with influx from China

MEUDON, France — Citroen on Tuesday unveiled its new electric e-C3 SUV, a low-cost model starting at 23,300 euros ($24,540) aimed at taking on Chinese carmakers in the affordable electric vehicle market. The EV from Citroen, part of the Stellantis auto group, will be assembled in Slovakia and launch in the second quarter of 2024. It is the same size as the current C3 city car, but less rounded and slightly taller. Its price tag does not include state subsidies of up to 5,000 euros. "This is the most important launch for the Citroen brand in at least 10 years," Citroen General Manager Thierry Koskas told reporters. "This is a new way of breaking market conventions. A European electric car at 23,000 euros? There isn't one.” The average European electric city car costs around 30,000 euros. To go lower, Stellantis is reusing its simplified "Smart Car" platform used in India, which differs from the four EV platforms the group has under development. Stellantis said it plans to base seven models across its brands on this platform, likely including the next Fiat Panda. The EV also has a limited range of 320 km (199 miles) using cheaper LFP battery technology imported from China.  With 90% of its suppliers from low-cost countries, a reduced diversity and a cheaper battery technology from China, the Smart Car platform will allow Stellantis to cut the e-C3 price further to as low as 20.000 euros, for its shorter-range version, Citroen's head Thierry Koskas said on Tuesday.  The basic trim, which could qualify for the French government's 100-euro-per-month "social leasing" affordable EV program, lacks an infotainmeant screen but still allows a mobile phone to be connected. Citroen's Koskas said the carmaker had no desire to make the new C3 a "technological Christmas tree" but had not skimped on what mattered. "It has comfort attributes and electrical attributes that are at the best level,” he said. The EV, for instance, includes the soft suspension that Citroen has usually reserved for larger models. Europe is bracing for an influx of lower-cost Chinese EVs, so Citroen has plans to go further. The brand plans a cheaper electric C3 at the beginning of 2025 – starting at 20,000 euros – with a reduced range of 200 km, Koskas said. Citroen's C3 last year accounted for 11% of the city car market in Europe. Since the first generation of the model in 2002, more than 5.6 million have sold.

Mon dieu! Citroen My Ami Buggy EV sells out in 18 minutes

PARIS (Reuters) - A limited edition of 50 Citroen Ami mini electric cars sold out in less than 18 minutes, parent company Stellantis said on Wednesday, prompting the French brand to post a cheeky message to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "Sorry Elon, the only way to get one is to buy us", Citroen wrote on a billboard at Paris' Gare de L'Est train station, referring to the Musk's appetite for deals, which has recently included a $44 billion bid for Twitter. Since the Ami's launch in April 2020, Citroen has sold 22,000 of the small electric model in Morocco, Europe and Turkey. The car is produced in Morocco and does not require a driver's license. It is only sold online. For the limited edition "My Ami Buggy" version, the roof is replaced with canvas that can be rolled back and metal tube gates replace the doors. It is sold from 9,790 euros ($10,361). "The fastest customer managed to complete the whole purchasing journey and get his 'My Ami Buggy' in only 2 minutes and 53 seconds," Citroen said in a statement. ($1 = 0.9449 euros) (Reporting by Gilles Guillaume; Writing by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Mark Potter) Featured Gallery Citroen My Ami Buggy concept View 11 Photos Green Green Citroen Economy Cars Electric France