PSA, GM alliance to bear fruit by 2016
French/American joint venture planning common low emissions platform to launch within four yearsThe first collaboration between PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors will see the two companies jointly develop what Peugeot’s International Communication Area Manager, Thomas Merchant says is a ‘low emissions vehicle’, believed to be the successor to the 107 in Peugeot’s range, and the Spark for GM.
“The companies are considering developing a new common platform for low emission vehicles and the first vehicle on a common platform is expected to launch by 2016,” Merchant told motoring.com.au.
Although the platform will be shared by the two companies, that doesn't mean they will move closer together in terms of workplace culture. Indeed, according to Merchant the agreement will allow much scope for individuality, while importantly reducing ever-growing overheads.
News of the shared platform comes just weeks after PSA Peugeot Citroën finalised its 1 billion euro share agreement with the American motoring giant, and will form part of necessary consolidation efforts as the French marque struggles to reduce its declared net debt of 3.4 billion euro. In recent times the company has also sold its prized 48-year-old Paris headquarters as it buckles under mounting financial pressure.
“The alliance is structured around two pillars: sharing of select vehicle platforms, modules and components; and the creation of a global purchasing joint venture for the sourcing of commodities, components, goods and services from suppliers,” explained Merchant. “Everything else in terms of respective corporate cultures and brand positioning will not be changed.”
When questioned as to whether the proposal would see a dilution of competition between Opel products sharing GM underpinnings and their own, Merchant was clear the brand’s individual identity would be maintained.
“As before we will remain competitors with Opel as the agreement is focused on creating a long-term, broad-scale, global strategic alliance to leverage the combined strengths and capabilities of the two companies, strongly support their efforts to improve competitiveness in Europe and, in turn, contribute to both partners’ sustainable profitability,” Merchant clarified.
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