PSA Peugeot Citroën
(previously Peugeot Société Anonyme) is a French
manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles sold under the Peugeot and
Citroën marques. PSA is the second largest automaker
based in Europe and the number seven in the world.
History
In 1974 Peugeot S.A. acquired a 38.2% share of Citroën. In 1976
they increased their stake of the now
bankrupt company to 89.95%, thus creating the
PSA Group (where PSA is short for Peugeot
Société Anonyme, later to be
changed to PSA Peugeot Citroën). Since Citroën had two successful
new designs in the market at this time (the
GS and
CX)
and
Peugeot was typically prudent in its own
finances, the PSA venture was a financial success from 1976 to
1979. In late 1978, PSA purchased the failing
Chrysler Europe from the troubled U.S.
parent firm for a nominal USD $1.00, plus assumption of outstanding
debt, leading to losses for the consortium from 1980 to 1985.
During this period, PSA lost its traditional competitive footing in
the
executive car market.
The company

World locations of PSA factories
The two brands retained their separate sales and marketing
structures, but have benefited from a common technology,
development and assembling assets.
PSA is actively committed to develop its market presence and sales
in many fast growing
developing
countries and regions of the world.
This led to huge
investments and partnerships in South
America, Iran
(Iran Khodro) and China
(Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile).
Jean-Martin Folz was PSA's
CEO between 1996 and early 2007,
when he was replaced by former
Airbus head
Christian Streiff. Streiff was
sacked on 29 March 2009, a day after the company posted a full year
loss for 2008. Streiff was replaced by
Corus
Group chief executive Philippe Varin.
Collaborations
PSA held a
collaboration agreement with Fiat
known as
Sevel (Société Européenne de Véhicules Légers SA and
Società Europea Veicoli Leggeri-Sevel S.p.A., owned 50% by
Fiat, 25% by Automobiles Peugeot and 25% by Automobiles
Citroën). As a result of this, two factories have been
built assembling three ranges of vehicles, Sevel Nord and Sevel Sud
.
There was
a more recent agreement with Toyota Motor
Corporation for the development and manufacturing of a series of
city cars in a new factory in the Czech Republic
. The resulting company is called TPCA
(Toyota Peugeot Citroën
Automobile
) and it currently manufactures the Citroën C1, Peugeot
107 and Toyota Aygo.
There was also a new agreement with PSA and
BMW;
the new
Prince engine was designed by
this joint venture and replace PSA's old
TU engine family.
In 2005, PSA Peugeot Citroën formed an alliance with Mitsubishi
Motors. Under the deal, PSA Peugeot Citroën would import the
Citroën C-Crosser and
Peugeot 4007 for sale in Europe. Those
two models were based on the
Mitsubishi Outlander, and would be
assembled at Mitsubishi's plant in
Okazaki, Japan. Engine choices would include
PSA Peugeot Citroën's diesel engines and Mitsubishi's petrol
engines.
PSA, in a joint venture partnership with
Ford Motor Company since 1998, currently
supplies 1.4L, 1.6L and 2.0L diesel engines used in the various
models by Ford and its subsidiaries. In return, PSA gets diesel
engines with displacement of 2.2L and above, suitable for large
passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
PSA also sell their engines, gearboxes and other parts for minor
companies like
Side-Bike,
DeLaChapelle,
PGO and others.
Mitsubishi Motors and PSA Peugeot
Citroen are going to collaborate in technology for
electric vehicles as the global race to
build green cars heats up.
Other interests
PSA owns about 71% of automotive supplier
Faurecia, a company created by a 1997 merger
between Bertrand Faure and PSA-owned ECIA. PSA also owns the
logistics company
Gefco and in the United
Kingdom operates the aftermarket parts company Motaquip.
Electric vehicles
PSA has announced plans to sell an electric car in Europe starting
2010. PSA signed an agreement with
Mitsubishi to develop an electric car, the
Peugeot iOn, for the European market
based on
i MiEV four-door car, which goes on
sale in Japan in summer 2009.
See also
External links
Notes
- Ford And PSA Peugeot Citroen Announce Plans For
Expansion Of Diesel Engine Production
- MyWire | AFP: Mitsubishi, Peugeot may team up in electric
cars: statement
-
http://www.autonews.com/article/20090302/ANE02/903020299/1018