1970 Citroen Mehari on 2040-cars

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GM and PSA detail four new co-developed vehicle projects

New details have emerged this morning regarding a partnership between General Motors and PSA Peugeot-Citroën. Following talks that started back in February, the American and French automakers will apparently team up to develop several vehicles, including a small MPV for Opel/Vauxhall and a compact crossover for Peugeot. Also planned is a small car for both Opel and Citroën.
Additionally, the two companies will co-develop a low-CO2-emitting small car platform to underpin the next generation of Opel and PSA models. The detailed plans call out a midsize platform to be shared between Opel/Vauxhall and Peugeot/Citroën.
As much as $2 billion in savings are expected in the next five years as a result of this venture. In a statement from GM and PSA, "All four projects will be developed combining the best platform architectures and technologies from alliance partners."

Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot boards meet to finalize merger

MILAN/PARIS — The boards of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot will meet separately on Tuesday to discuss finalizing an initial agreement for a $50 billion merger to create the world's number four carmaker, sources said. A source close to FCA said the two companies could announce the signing of a binding memorandum early on Wednesday, followed by a conference call to explain further details later in the day. The two mid-sized carmakers announced plans six weeks ago for a tie-up to help them deal with big challenges in the industry, including a global demand downturn and the need to develop costly cleaner cars to meet looming anti-pollution rules. Ahead of the meetings, entities representing the Peugeot family, Etablissements Peugeot Freres (EPF) and FFP, unanimously approved a proposed memorandum of understanding for the planned merger, a source familiar with the situation said. FCA and PSA have said they would seek to finalize a deal by year-end to create a group with 8.7 million in annual vehicle sales. That would put it fourth globally behind Volkswagen, Toyota and the Renault-Nissan alliance. PSA's Carlos Tavares will be chief executive and FCA's John Elkann — the scion of Italy's Agnelli family, which controls FCA through their holding company Exor — chairman of the combined company. The group will include the Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Peugeot, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands, allowing it to serve mass and premium passenger car markets as well as those for trucks and light commercial vehicles. Related Video:       Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Peugeot

2014 Citro"en C4 Picasso proves MPVs can be beautiful

Jelly-bean shape aside, the Citroën C4 Picasso is one people mover we wouldn't be ashamed to drive. It looks like a concept car, except it isn't - it's just a five-passenger MPV that's meant to get a family about as quickly and comfortably as possible. The stylish new Picasso first arrived in April, representing the second generation of the French MPV, and packing a range of small four-cylinder gas and diesel engines. We won't dig into all six engines, but we can promise you this: there's not a hot version of this Citroën.
With it being shown on the Frankfurt show floor, these photos represent the first live look we've had at the C4 Picasso since it arrived at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as the Technospace Concept. The production form has largely stayed true to the concept's sleek, stylish design. The C4 is far more successful at the twin headlight design that Jeep is trying to make work, while the aerodynamic figure is as flattering as a little, black dress.
The C4 Picasso has just the sort of design flair that we appreciate about French cars, and is one of the big reasons we wouldn't mind seeing them on US roads. Take a look up top for a full gallery of live images from Frankfurt, and then scroll down below for the gallery provided by Citroën, along with a press release and a video staring the new C4 Picasso.