GM, PSA scrap large car program, move forward with small engine development
Sat, 22 Dec 2012
In "definitive agreements" between the two automakers, GM says that three new vehicle platforms are still on track; one of these will bring a new compact minivan to GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands and a compact crossover to Peugeot, and the other platform will be for B-segment minivans for both entities to share. ANE says that the proposed shared platform for the Opel Insignia and Citroën was canceled due to the lack of a sound business case.
In addition to cars, the joint venture will also be an opportunity for both automakers to develop "high-performance, efficient" gasoline engines and to create joint purchasing to allow both companies to potentially save money (this aspect of the agreement is still pending legal clearance from anti-trust approvals).
GM's official statement is posted after the jump.
PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors Report Further Progress on their Global Strategic Alliance
2012-12-20
- Major Product Development and Purchasing agreements signed
- Expansion of scope to also include powertrain
- Strengthening ties and cementing the Alliance
Detroit/Paris. PSA Peugeot Citroen (PSA) and General Motors (GM) today confirm the signature of major agreements in the execution of their Global Strategic Alliance. Consistent with the terms of the Master Agreement dated February 29, 2012, the Alliance partners have signed definitive agreements related to three of the initial vehicle projects as well as to the purchasing joint venture.
Three Common Vehicle Platform Development Projects
The first common vehicle projects selected encompass platform / architecture developments in the following segments:
1. A joint program for a C-MPV1 for Opel/Vauxhall and a C-CUV2 for the Peugeot brand
2. A joint MPV3 program for the B-segment for both Groups
3. The co-development of an upgraded low CO2 B-segment platform to feed Opel/Vauxhall and PSA's next generation of cars in Europe and other regions
Additional joint vehicle projects to further strengthen the Alliance are under review and in due course will be subject to future announcements.
The first vehicles resulting from this cooperation are expected to be launched in 2016. The Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen models will be highly differentiated and fully consistent with their respective brand characteristics.
Creation of Purchasing joint venture
The Alliance partners have signed a definitive agreement to create a joint purchasing organization in Europe supported by a purchasing joint venture. This new organization will draw on the combined purchasing reach of both companies to realize purchasing synergies. This is still subject to anti-trust approvals.
Further global initiatives
Based on the success of their collaboration, the partners also announce their intention for new additional global initiatives to broaden the scope of their Alliance and seize future opportunities:
Co-development of a next generation of high-performance, efficient small gas engines derived from PSA's global small petrol engine program (EB engine),
Exploration of product and industrial initiatives in Latin America or other growth markets.
1 Multi-purpose vehicle for the C segment
2 Crossover utility vehicle for the C segment
3 Multi-purpose vehicle
About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM's brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Daewoo, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
About PSA Peugeot Citroën
With its two world-renowned brands, Peugeot and Citroën, PSA Peugeot Citroën sold 3.5 million vehicles worldwide in 2011, of which 42% outside Europe. The second largest carmaker in Europe, it generated revenue of €59.9 billion during the year. PSA Peugeot Citroën has sales operations in 160 countries. In 2011, it allocated more than €2 billion to research and development, in particular in the field of new automotive propulsion technologies. PSA Peugeot Citroën is also involved in financing activities (Banque PSA Finance), logistics (GEFCO) and automotive equipment (Faurecia).For more information, please visit www.psa-peugeot-citroen.com
By Jeffrey N. Ross
See also: UK auto magazine says this is the best car commercial of all time [w/videos], End of the road for French flagship sedans as Citro"en C6 production winding down, PSA and Renault both hit by autoworker strikes.