GM and PSA detail four new co-developed vehicle projects
Wed, 24 Oct 2012Additionally, 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."
"Beyond this, PSA and GM are currently sounding out whether to extend the cooperation potentially to other fields," a GM representative told Automotive News Europe. The first vehicles developed from this joint venture are expected by the end of 2016. GM's official press release on the partnership can be found below.
PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors Confirm Key Steps in Global Strategic Alliance
- Four common vehicle platform development projects
- Next steps in joint purchasing organization
- Synergy target of $2 billion annually confirmed
DETROIT/ PARIS/ RUSSELSHEIM – PSA Peugeot Citroen and General Motors today confirmed important steps toward the execution of their Global Strategic Alliance. Consistent with terms of the Master Agreement signed Feb. 29, the Alliance partners have selected four vehicle projects and confirmed the next steps in joint purchasing organization.
Four Common Vehicle Platform Development Projects
The four common vehicle projects selected to move to the next step encompass the following segment entries for both groups:
- A joint program for a compact-class Multi-Purpose Van for Opel/Vauxhall and a compact-class Crossover Utility Vehicle for the Peugeot brand.
- A joint Multi-Purpose Vehicle program for the small car segment for Opel/Vauxhall and the Citroen brand.
- An upgraded low CO2 small car segment platform to feed Opel/Vauxhall's and PSA's next generation of cars in Europe and other regions.
- A joint program for mid-size cars for Opel/Vauxhall and the Peugeot and Citroen brands.
The Alliance aims to launch the first vehicles on these common programs by the end of 2016.
All four projects will be developed combining the best platform architectures and technologies from the Alliance partners.
Next Steps in Joint Purchasing Organization
The Alliance partners also confirmed the next steps in their joint purchasing organization. This collaborative effort will draw on the combined purchasing reach of both companies to realize purchasing synergies benefitting both companies. The joint purchasing organization will be subject to customary antitrust approvals.
Synergies Confirmed
Based on the above programs and the joint purchasing organization, both companies confirm the previously stated synergy target of $2 billion annually achievable within five years.
With the common vehicle development projects and next steps in purchasing organization now confirmed, the teams will work to finalize the associated definitive agreements in addition to exploring other cooperation opportunities.
By George Kennedy
See also: GM pondering even closer Opel joint venture with PSA Peugeot Citro"en, WRC crowns driver and manufacturer champs, any guesses who? [spoilers], Peugeot 2008 Concept raises the roof for B-segment CUVs.