Seeing Peugeot sedans in the U.S. may be a possible scenario now that Mitsubishi and France's PSA Peugeot Citroen group are in bed together. Both Peugeot and Citroen have added rebadged versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander crossover to their lineups and the cross sharing is now rumored to be taking a step further with news that Mitsubishi could build Peugeot's next-gen 408 sedan at its Normal plant in Illinois.
Peugeot's current 407 sedan (pictured) isn't due for replacement for several years at the least, and a deal to produce the cars in the U.S. is still at least twelve months away. Peugeot would use the U.S. as a base for exporting cars to South America, but local production could also lead to the brand's return to world's largest car market.
One of the major hurdles is improving the negative image many American's have towards all things French. Remember Freedom Fries? Peugeot would also need to develop a new dealer network if it's considering a relaunch, but we're sure a number of Mitsubishi dealers across the country will be happy to open their doors to the French brand.
[Source: Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Plastic Bertrand @ Jul 4th 2007 8:20PM
Even more interesting when you consider Citroën's interest in the Canadian market.
Jhon @ Jul 5th 2007 2:15AM
see http://hotshadow.com/Peugeot_sedans_to_come_to_the_US.aspx
Clanker @ Jul 6th 2007 4:12PM
cest plan por moi moi moi moi!!!
psarhjinian @ Jul 4th 2007 8:21PM
They really are very good looking cars. They're also just slightly less flakey than the Italians, so it'll be a tough sell without a strong dealer network.
I saw a few 407s the last time I was over there and would probably go that route /if/ there was assurance of decent service. The problem isn't "Freedom Fries", it's the memory of iffy reliability and worse support that chased Peugeot/Renault/Citröen away the first time.
Don @ Jul 5th 2007 4:17PM
Iffy reliability is right: wasn't Peugeot's first entry into our market marred by disastrous reliability issues?
Hamud @ Jul 4th 2007 8:36PM
Peugeots are really good looking cars, the bad part is the high cost of maintenance/repair.
Gardiner Westbound @ Jul 4th 2007 8:39PM
Way back then the majority of foreign car dealer networks were small, under capitalized, poorly supervised and weakly supported. Though large cities might have a dealer with proper showroom and service facilities, many foreign cars were sold from strip malls and gasoline filling stations.
Everything from Europe came by sea. Parts were difficult to source and expensive. An owner often waited months for a fuel pump or generator. Most local mechanics would have nothing to do with them.
French cars were comfortable, reliable and had an endearing quirkiness to them. The sensational 1955 Citroen DS was light years ahead of its time. Its streamlined body, mechanical systems and chassis contained features absent today's cars. The delicious Chapron Citroen DS convertible is still available 50-years later. The charming 1956 Renault Dauphine was comfortable, quiet, and had a real heater unlike the rival VW 1200. The 1959 Renault Floride/Caravelle competed with the pretty 1955 VW Karmann Ghia. The 1960 Peugeot 404 was superior to the competing Volvo 122, itself a styling clone of the 1955 Chrysler Imperial. The 1968 Peugeot 504, which is still in production, was a vastly better car than the Volvo 144.
Alone among early car importers only Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz built strong, closely supervised national dealer and parts networks. There were persistent reports of Volkswagen factory representatives buying up scrapped VWs creating an enduring and largely undeserved reliability myth and, not incidentally, keeping cheap used parts off the market. Ironically, the obsolete "Beetle" almost destroyed Volkswagen when its popularity abruptly declined without a viable successor.
Brian Dreggors @ Jul 4th 2007 8:42PM
The bad French image is their own fault. Citroen was the only manufacturer to import respectable, high-quality (though peculiar) cars to the US. What did Renault and Peugoet bring us? The Le Car? The Alliance? The 405?
I would love to see, however, Citroen be the first back to our shores. Thier innovative nature would be appreciated.
Jellodyne @ Jul 4th 2007 8:42PM
Why build a whole new dealer network? Badge 'em as Mitsubishis and sell 'em through the existing dealer network.
Jaymez @ Jul 4th 2007 8:56PM
Is it just me or does the pictured 407 look a whole lot like a 90s Chrysler product. I'm thinking Concorde.
PeakVT @ Jul 5th 2007 2:19AM
Yep. And in an odd twist, the LH cars were distantly derived from Renaults.
And what is with the massive front overhang? The wheelwells must intrude into the front footspace in a big way.
AZMike @ Jul 4th 2007 9:01PM
I hope it's soon; I'll be the first in line for one.
every Peugeot and Renault I've ever had was utterly reliable. I've found over the years that the vast majority of folks that criticize Renaults have never owned one.
I had a '78 LeCar that I bought new. 191,000 miles and four years later, my only expenses were for one set of tires, and a $12 radiator repair. average fuel economy was aways in the mid 40s.
the suspension in any French car has to be experienced to be believed. even the lowly LeCar rode like a big car, and had a full 12" of suspension travel. the huge, throw-it-over-your-shoulder sunroof was the essence of simplicity, and never leaked.
as far as Peugeot goes, the 504, 505, and 604 were all incredible cars as well. all French cars have style and personality that put Japanese cars to shame.
AZMike
Yaroukh @ Jul 4th 2007 9:03PM
Good looking 407? Well the front half probably yes, but face2face the rear one looks like it was taken from much smaller car from a different vendor.
BTW '06 sales of 407 in Europe were just a bit higher (cca 5pct) than those of Ford Mondeo which is about 4yrs older.
fd @ Jul 4th 2007 9:05PM
Oh my ... oh my ... where do I even begin?
I've driven more French cars than anybody who'll respond here :) (given the US audience) and it's Belgian Fries!!! Not French Fries. For Pete's sake!
French cars are OK, better than Italian. US cars are kinda like French & Italian. Some temperament here and there but not great. German & Japanese are the best. More engineering and better value. There.
friko @ Jul 4th 2007 9:59PM
It's funny how people comments on cars that they haven't even seen, less driven. Because of the "ignorant information" that you americans, talk, and the uninformed "bad image" you have without real knowledge, your home builders are dying.
Think about it, then flame as much as you want.
Jim P. @ Jul 4th 2007 10:16PM
I just want to say I loved my '82 Peugeot 505 Turbo Diesel. I agree with AZMike, they do have a nice ride. Plus the 505 was one of the coolest looking cars sold here in '82. Oh, and built like a tank. I slid into a solid wood beam with the front bumper and it split it like a matchstick. No damage to the front bumper at all. I'd definitely look at another Peugeot.
l3ftonm3 @ Jul 4th 2007 10:18PM
Bring over the Peugeot 308 that has the diesel/electric Hybride HDi system. That would be nice.
Arnie @ Jul 4th 2007 10:44PM
French cars have tons of character and ride wonderfully. I've driven quite a few of them. Citroens have amazing driving dynamics. They feel a couple of decades ahead of the Japanese when you are behind the wheel. Big Renaults and Peugeots are also great to drive. The main problem with all of them is that they tend to age badly. French cars need to be treated with extra care and dare I say love. If you treat them like that, they will last. Treat them like your average Asian econobox and they will fall apart.
rick @ Jul 4th 2007 10:54PM
Yup. We definitely need some small cars from someplace other than Asia. Might as well be the French or Italians to be imported.
As for me, give me a couple of vintage 2CVs (don't laugh - simplest and one of the most reliable ever if not the slowest car made) and I'm happy.
Oliver @ Jul 4th 2007 11:23PM
Funny to see this post here today.....
Last night, I saw a red 407 in NYC with NJ Manufacturer plates.
Made me wonder.
Oliver