Coming to America? Peugeot entering new segments, markets
Peugeot is a long way off from its ambitious target of selling 4 million units annually by the end of the decade. This year its sales projects put it at 2 million, but chief executive Jean-Philippe Collin has a plan in place to reach the targets set out by parent company PSA.
The plan involves expansion on two fronts. Firstly, Peugeot plans on developing new models to compete in segments where it currently does not compete. Collin figures the French automaker currently competes in 72% of market segments, but wants to get that figure up to 90%. Despite Peugeot's sportscar racing program, the company is not prepared to build a pure sportscar any more hardcore than the upcoming 308 RC Z sports-coupe. It is pursuing government funding to develop a diesel-hybrid drivetrain, however, which might be key to its expansion.
Peugeot is also planning on pursuing new markets, namely in China, Russia and South America. However, while a return to the North American market is being considered, especially in light of the weak American dollar, Collin maintains that such a move would still be several years off.
[Source: Automotive News Europe – subs. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
N 9:37AM (8/27/2008)
Well... maybe they could start by refraining from building rubbish, overweight, poor handling, unispirational metallic turds and revert to making good cars.
Or is that asking too much?
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N 9:41AM (8/27/2008)
I meant to say "uninspiring metallic turds" - but I think you all get the idea... oh the heart weeps for a successor to the 205 T16!!
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anthony 9:53AM (8/27/2008)
wow i didnt realise how many auto makers the US misses out on. alfa romeo and peugeot are just ... sorta.. always out there here in australia... with out 1 million new cars a year...
hmmm... something to think
ac
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mike 9:55AM (8/27/2008)
Since American automakers can not please the American consumer.........these companies have to step in....and make the money.
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Adam Marcello1 9:57AM (8/27/2008)
Ugg so close. What a story to get me all pumped up in the morning only to crush all my hopes in the last paragraph. We need some nice euro cars in America that arnt just boring german things.
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BigMcLargeHuge 10:08AM (8/27/2008)
They might consider teaming with a manufacturer already in the US. Supply small diesels to a VW competitor or something.
But none of their cars really excite me.
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esteva03 10:09AM (8/27/2008)
i love peugeot. i dont know what happened in north america, but in south america peugeot has got really good cars. they never had good performance cars, but even today the company doesn't offer more than "sports packages" . their cars look as good as any other company and they handle as bad as any other stock car. personally i would love to have a f20c powered 6 speed manual 307 CC.
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tanooki2003 10:09AM (8/27/2008)
I am always looking forward to having more competition and choices here in NA. Frankly i think this is one of the few regions that is quite anemic when it comes to choices that people have when shopping for a car.
I know for sure Peugeot has improved since their last entry in the USA and look forward to seeing their latest offerings.
Those who think Peugeot sucks because of what used to be sold here in the USA way back when need to stop hanging onto the past and try to be a little more open minded.
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Kitko 10:13AM (8/27/2008)
N is, unfortunatelly, right. PSA cars are way too heavy and way too unreliable, especially when it comes to electronics, but mechanical reliability is nothing to write home about too.
The following is very meticulously researched German reliability survey (by TUV), the % is ratio of cars with serious fault over first 2-3 years. (results are based on serivce data from at least 10K car from EACH model).
Ignore the text in Czech and scroll down for the table. To find first PSA cars, Peugeots and Citroens, dip down bellow 30th spot.
http://news.auto.cz/aktuality/auto-bild-tuev-report-2008-vozy-stari-2-3-roky-lidove-mazdy-momentalne-vladnou.html
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Brian W 10:40PM (8/28/2008)
Right down with Hyundai and Kia.
VP 10:24AM (8/27/2008)
If you think the Americans are having a tough time selling their wares in Europe, imagine the task of selling French cars in America.
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macjunkie 10:26AM (8/27/2008)
I dont understand why so many European companies, like Peugeot, can sell in Mexico but not here, we r only a few hours away... Its not like they sell them in Mexico cheaper, they are as expensive there as cars here.
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Throwback 10:48AM (8/27/2008)
Here is a question for PSA. If you decide to come back to the USA, why Peugeot instead of Citroen?
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bob 10:58AM (8/27/2008)
i just want to own a car with that cute little lion badge. rawr!!
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jincongz 11:10AM (8/27/2008)
I've always had a spot in my heart for either Peugeot or Renaults, but neither is sold here in Canada. Hope they sell them here before I buy my first car. Either a 2xx, 3xx, or a Clio would be very nice.
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PCIV 11:14AM (8/27/2008)
I don't know what's stopping them from pricing their cars using the strong Canadian dollar, then adjusting the price to American.
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William 11:24AM (8/27/2008)
I remember looking at some Peugeot 405 models at a car show in the late 80's. I also remember having the whole Peugeot display to myself.
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AZMike 11:28AM (8/27/2008)
I, too, long for the return of French cars to the USA. I've had two Peugeots (both 604s), and five Renaults. contrary to popular belief, they are not always unreliable. they do require regular maintainence (something most Americans don't do), and they will run forever. my '78 LeCar had over 200,000 miles in four years, and the only items replaced beyond regular maintainence were a radiator repair ($20), and a set of tires.
...and no one does an interior like the French; incredible colors, textures, etc.
for those who allegedly hate them, how many are speaking from personal experience?
it's quite frustrating, because I see all sorts of new Peugeots here in Arizona with Mexican plates. so near, yet so far.
AZMike
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rwcmick 12:01PM (8/27/2008)
Why couldn't Chrysler platform share w/ PSA just like they are w/ Nissan? At least that way we'd get some unique to our market vehicles as part of the bargain. We'll see how different Chrysler's Versa turns out (how Hornet like can it be?) but by partnering w/ PSA the Frenchies could get some traction in our market w/o the French label. Much like Renault/Nissan. As an added bonus, Chrysler could manufacture Citroen's for French Canada where they'd eat 'em up.
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flfny 9:18PM (8/27/2008)
Well that wouldn't happen since Nissan is owned(?) by Renault. And PSA and Renault are always fitting... like siblings.