Autoblog Peugeot http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog Peugeot http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff RossThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Peugeot Climb Dance Pikes Peak film - remastered screencap

Climb Dance, the rally-porn film celebrating the Pikes Peak Hill Climb victories of Ari Vatanen in 1988 and Robby Unser in 1989 - and including footage from both drives - has been remastered in high definition. It was commissioned by Peugeot, maker of the four-wheel steering 415 T16 Grand Raid, the racecar that took both drivers to the top to overall victories.

Peugeot will be hoping that Sébastien Loeb can dance the same way next month when he runs up the now-paved mountain in his 208. You'll find the breathtaking remastered Climb Dance below, as well as tribute the Motor Trend made with Marcus Gronholm in a Ford Fiesta back in 2009. Enjoy.

Continue reading Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory

Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> ari vatanenclimb danceford fiestapeugeotpeugeot 405 t16pikes peakpikes peak international hill climbrobby unservideo Thu, 16 May 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571485/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571485/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/20571485/article-detail.xml 20571485 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/climb-dance-remastered_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/climb-dance-remastered.jpg <![CDATA[New Peugeot 308 looks to be a big improvement]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/new-peugeot-308-looks-to-be-a-big-improvement/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/new-peugeot-308-looks-to-be-a-big-improvement/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/new-peugeot-308-looks-to-be-a-big-improvement/#comments Filed under: , , ,

2013 Peugeot 308 - maroon - front three-quarter studio shot

As much as we applaud automakers for flexing their design muscles every now and then, we occasionally find ourselves raising our eyebrows at the "new family design language" that companies smatter across their products. For example: Have a look at pretty much everything Peugeot has put out in recent years. Funky stuff, to be sure, but not always the sort of vehicles that garner adjectives like "pretty" or "sleek." And the old 308 hatchback was perhaps one of the company's worst offenders.

But that changes, right now. Peugeot has taken the wraps off of the new 308 hatch, and from what we can see in these high-res images, it's decidedly better looking. The design follows in the footsteps of the recently launched 2008 crossover, boasting cleaner lines without that huge, gaping maw up front. Instead, there are slimmer, LED-capped headlamps and pronounced foglamps, topped off with a rakish hood. Strong body lines flow from front to back, where there's a clean rump and a thick, windowless C-pillar. Large, split-five-spoke wheels round out all four corners.

Peugeot has not released any technical data about this 308 just yet, only saying that the new generation is a full (and appropriate) 308 pounds lighter than its predecessor, thanks to the company's new modular EMP2 platform. Inside, the reworked interior features premium materials and a rather interesting design, with a 9.7-inch touchscreen interface in the center stack and an instrument panel that's set high on top of the dashboard. Pretty cool.

The 308 makes its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. For now, have a good glance at the much, much better-looking hatch in our gallery above, and be sure to glance below for all of the details in Pug's press blast.

Continue reading New Peugeot 308 looks to be a big improvement

New Peugeot 308 looks to be a big improvement originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 peugeot 308frankfurtfrankfurt 2013frankfurt motor showpeugeotpeugeot 308 Mon, 13 May 2013 16:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20567121/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20567121/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/new-peugeot-308-looks-to-be-a-big-improvement/20567121/article-detail.xml 20567121 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/001-peugeot-308628opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/001-peugeot-308628opt.jpg <![CDATA[Watch Sebastien Loeb take first drive in Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak racer]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/sebastien-loeb-drives-peugeot-208-t16-pikes-peak-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/sebastien-loeb-drives-peugeot-208-t16-pikes-peak-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/sebastien-loeb-drives-peugeot-208-t16-pikes-peak-video/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak racer with Sebastien Loeb

The annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is one of the few events in motorsport with an Unlimited Class that is truly... well, unlimited. To put the word 'unlimited' in perspective, consider the Red Bull-sponsored Peugeot 208 T16: its 3.2-liter bi-turbo V6 engine puts out 875 maximum horsepower, sending power to all four wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox. That's powerful enough to catapult the T16 from 0-62 miles per hour in a scant 1.8 seconds. Keep it planted and it'll hit 125 in 4.8 seconds and 150 in 7.0 flat.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is freakishly fast.

Just ask Sébastien Loeb, a man who's no stranger to high-performance machinery, having won nine World Rally championships, who said of the T16 after his first testing session: "I've never driven anything that accelerates so fast! ... It's got the downforce of a Formula 1 car, the wide tires of an endurance racing prototype and a differential like a WRC car."

And that right there is the automotive definition of 'Unlimited.' Oh, did we mention that the T16 is one of the meanest looking four-wheeled vehicles we've ever laid eyes on? See for yourself in the high-res image galleries, press release and video below.

Continue reading Watch Sebastien Loeb take first drive in Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak racer

Watch Sebastien Loeb take first drive in Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> peugeotpeugeot 208 t16pikes peakred bullsebastien loebunlimited classvideo Thu, 09 May 2013 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20563857/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20563857/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/09/sebastien-loeb-drives-peugeot-208-t16-pikes-peak-video/20563857/article-detail.xml 20563857 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/peugeot-208-t16-loeb_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/peugeot-208-t16-loeb.jpeg <![CDATA[Happy 40th Anniversary to the Malaise Era]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/happy-40th-anniversary-to-the-malaise-era/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/happy-40th-anniversary-to-the-malaise-era/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/happy-40th-anniversary-to-the-malaise-era/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



2013 marks the 50th anniversary of icons like the Corvette Sting Ray and the Porsche 911. If Corvettes and Porsches aren't your thing, it's also the 50th of the Aston Martin DB5 and the 60th of the last great Packard, the Caribbean. Lost in the hoopla, however has been any mention of the fact that it's also the 40th anniversary of the Ford Mustang II, the de facto standard bearer for the automotive dark age that came to be known as "The Malaise Era."

Pollution regulations, safety standards and a fuel crisis that saw pump prices skyrocket created the perfect mediocrity storm that forced Americans - and most of the rest of the world - into cars that were as bland and gutless as the Carter administration. The start of the malaise era is roughly marked by the Arab oil embargo of 1973 and the resulting great muscle car extinction, and it lasted until the introduction of the 200 hp + Buick Regal Grand National and the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 in 1985. Here are some of the malaziest from the era.

1974 Ford Mustang II (above)

The Pinto-based Mustang II nearly killed the Mustang franchise. Its sole claim to fame being a bit of product placement on the original Charlie's Angels series. Plain chick Sabrina drove the notchback Ghia model, smoking hot Kelly (played by Farrah Fawcett) naturally got the Cobra. But the joke was on her - its smogged-choked V8 put out about 140 horsepower. In a rare moment of understatement, Road & Track simply called it "neither fast, nor particularly good-handling."

Rob Sass is the Publisher of Hagerty Classic Cars magazine. He is a regular contributor to the automotive section of the New York Times and is the author of "Ran When Parked, Advice and Adventures from the Affordable Underbelly of Car Collecting."

Continue reading Happy 40th Anniversary to the Malaise Era

Happy 40th Anniversary to the Malaise Era originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 1974 ford mustang ii1977 chevy camaro z281977 ferrari 308 gtb1978 ford fairmount1978 peugeot 504 diesel40th anniversarymalaise era Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20537853/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20537853/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/17/happy-40th-anniversary-to-the-malaise-era/20537853/article-detail.xml 20537853 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/1974-ford-mustang-ii_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/1974-ford-mustang-ii.jpg <![CDATA[Peugeot reveals its 208 T16 Pikes Peak racer]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/peugeot-teases-its-208-t16-pikes-peak-racer/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/peugeot-teases-its-208-t16-pikes-peak-racer/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/peugeot-teases-its-208-t16-pikes-peak-racer/#comments Filed under: , ,



Peugeot is returning to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this year after a 14-year absence, and it has begun teasing the 208 T16 that Sébastien Loeb will be piloting up the mountain. Sporting a carbon fiber effects package that you won't find on the dealership floor nor at your local tuner, even the cockpit is a surprise since it features a central driving position.

Waging war in the Unlimited Class, it will have gobs of power underhood, the number 208 on its sides and two self-locking diffs to get power to the proper wheels. The entire route is paved this year, but Loeb has proved he knows how to handle tarmac in a variety of circumstances: after taking third in the French GT Championship last year, he entered the FIA GT series this year and won the opening race of the season earlier this month in a McLaren MP4-12C.

Click on the image above to see it in high resolution.

UPDATE: Peugeot released images and video of the car this morning, so we've updated the gallery and the press release and video are below.

Continue reading Peugeot reveals its 208 T16 Pikes Peak racer

Peugeot reveals its 208 T16 Pikes Peak racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> peugeotpeugeot 208 t16pikes peakPikes Peak International Hill Climbsebastien loeb Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540005/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540005/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/peugeot-teases-its-208-t16-pikes-peak-racer/20540005/article-detail.xml 20540005 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/peugeot-t18-208-pikes_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/peugeot-t18-208-pikes.jpg <![CDATA[Peugeot returning to Pikes Peak with Sébastien Loeb [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/peugeot-returning-to-pikes-peak-with-sebastien-loeb-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/peugeot-returning-to-pikes-peak-with-sebastien-loeb-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/peugeot-returning-to-pikes-peak-with-sebastien-loeb-w-video/#comments Filed under: , ,

Peugeot returning to Pikes Peak - video graphic

In spite of troubles in other areas - and there are plenty of them - sales of the Peugeot 208 are a bright spot for the French carmaker. Attempting to grab that light and make sure it shines everywhere, the company is returning the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30 with a specially prepared 208 driven by nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb.

Citroën has loaned Loeb to its PSA/Peugeot-Citroën sister company so that he could contest his first Pikes Peak - it only makes sense that he's looking to try new pastures after winning all of those World Rally Championship titles with Citroën. The 208, which will have the start number '208,' will be revealed in April. Peugeot has won the race twice, once with Ari Vatanen in a 206 205 T16 in 1988 and again the next year with Robby Unser in a 405 T16.

To get you ready, there's a press release and a short film below called Climb Dance which follows Vatanen's drive. We highly recommend a watch - better vintage car porn is hard to find.

Continue reading Peugeot returning to Pikes Peak with Sébastien Loeb [w/video]

Peugeot returning to Pikes Peak with Sébastien Loeb [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 208ari vatanencitroëncitroenclimb dancepeugeotpeugeot 208pikes peakpikes peak international hill climbsebastien loebvideo Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20523791/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20523791/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/02/peugeot-returning-to-pikes-peak-with-sebastien-loeb-w-video/20523791/article-detail.xml 20523791 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/peugeotpikespeak2013_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/peugeotpikespeak2013.jpg <![CDATA[The 2013 Peugeot 2008 is a global crossover with efficiency at its heart [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/the-2013-peugeot-2008-geneva-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/the-2013-peugeot-2008-geneva-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/the-2013-peugeot-2008-geneva-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

2013 Peugeot 2008

It was always going to be hard for Peugeot to follow the blind-man-can-see-it neon paint of the 2008 Concept car - which was seared onto our retinas in Paris last year - but that doesn't mean the production version of the CUV here in Geneva is unattractive. The rather more sane white paint still covers pert, attractive lines on the new French crossover, and the Peugeot folks certainly have high hopes that European shoppers will feel good about it, too.

The Peugeot 2008 is a B-Segment follow-up to the automaker's larger 3008 CUV, and is set to go on sale in the spring of this year. The 2008 will be offered in Europe, Asia and Latin America, and is therefore a pretty big deal for the recently struggling Peugeot.

The goal of the 2008 is to offer a package that is usefully sized for urban environments, but with enough flexibility for customers that travel outside city streets. To that end, Peugeot has equipped the front-drive crossover with its Grip Control system, which allows for terrain and condition specific programming by the driver. Standard, Snow, All-Terrain and Sand modes all provide distinct operational programming to maximize traction.

Engines will be of both three- and four-cylinder configurations, with many options of both gasoline- and diesel-burning varieties. The gas engines will range in output from 82 to 130 horsepower, while diesel offerings will muster from 68 to 115 horsepower. The most efficient of the diesel engines will offer a heroic 61.8 miles per gallon on the European combined cycle.

There's much more to discover about the Peugeot 2008, in the extraordinarily detailed press release that follows on below. Don't miss the launch video, either, which features a poppy soundtrack and loads of French people running.

Continue reading The 2013 Peugeot 2008 is a global crossover with efficiency at its heart [w/video]

The 2013 Peugeot 2008 is a global crossover with efficiency at its heart [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 20082013 peugeot 2008genevageneva 2013geneva motor showpeugeot Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20490572/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20490572/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/07/the-2013-peugeot-2008-geneva-2013/20490572/article-detail.xml 20490572 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-peugeot-2008-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-peugeot-2008-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Ailing Peugeot writes-down over $5.5B in assets]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/ailing-peugeot-writes-down-over-5-5b-in-assets/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/ailing-peugeot-writes-down-over-5-5b-in-assets/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/ailing-peugeot-writes-down-over-5-5b-in-assets/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Assembly line at Peugeot plant with worker and sign

As Europe's economy continues to suffer, so do automakers. One of the latest pieces of bad news comes from French carmaker Peugeot which says it will write down its assets by $5.53 billion. The figure represents almost 29-percent of the company's property, valued at $19.4 billion in June. Peugeot says it will also take a second-half charge of $325 million for "onerous contracts." Speaking of onerous, The Detroit News notes the "write-downs are more than double Peugeot's current market value." Yipes.

"This calculus results from cautious assumptions about the European economic environment," Chief Financial Officer Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon is quoted as saying in the article. "We think that this European car market will remain affected by the crisis for a long time."

With European auto sales falling the most in almost 20 years, Peugeot executives see little chance of improvement. Peugeot's sales dropped 13 percent in 2012 and Chatillon said markets could fall another 5 percent this year.

Efforts to right the ship include cutting 17 percent of its French workforce, closing a factory near Paris and selling off assets. The French government has offered $9.3 billion in bond guarantees that await European Union review. In addition, an alliance between General Motors and Peugeot authored last year was meant to save the two companies $2 billion in annual cost savings and sales improvements over 5 years, but it's currently under review.

Ailing Peugeot writes-down over $5.5B in assets originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bailouteuropean financial crisisfinancial crisisgeneral motorsjean-baptiste de chatillonpeugeot Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20456383/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20456383/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/11/ailing-peugeot-writes-down-over-5-5b-in-assets/20456383/article-detail.xml 20456383 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/peugeot-plant-line-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/peugeot-plant-line-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2013 World Car of the Year finalists announced]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/2013-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/2013-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/2013-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With the Chicago and Geneva auto shows not even out of the way yet, the automotive world's sights are set on the New York Auto Show for the naming of the 2013 World Car Awards, and the top 10 finalists for World Car of the Year and World Performance Car were recently announced and will be voted on by 66 journalists from around the world (including our own European Editor, Matt Davis).

Vying for the top award are the Audi A3, 2013 Range Rover, 2014 Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Peugeot 208, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, the trio of Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86, Volkswagen Golf and the Volvo V40. Since its inception, past winners of this award include Volkswagen Up! (2012), Nissan LEAF (2011), Volkswagen Polo (2010), Volkswagen Golf (2009), Mazda2/Mazda Demio (2008), Lexus LS 460 (2007), BMW 3 Series (2006) and the Audi A6 in the award's inaugural year.

The competition is no less fierce for the performance car of the year with the Aston Martin Vanquish, Audi RS5, BMW M6, BMW M 135i, Ferrari F12Berlinetta, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG and SLS AMG, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Renault Clio Sport and the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86. This award was first handed out in 2006 with previous recipients including Porsche 911 (2012), Ferrari 458 Italia (2011), Audi R8 V10 (2010), Nissan GT-R (2009), Audi R8 (2008), Audi RS4 (2007) and the Porsche Cayman S (2006).

The top three finalists for each award will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5, and the winners will be revealed on March 28.

Continue reading 2013 World Car of the Year finalists announced

2013 World Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> new york 2013new york auto shownew york international auto showPerformance Car of the YearwcotyWorld Car Awardsworld car of the year Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20446078/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20446078/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/01/2013-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/20446078/article-detail.xml 20446078 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/world-car-of-the-year_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/world-car-of-the-year.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat and PSA predicted to be Europe's biggest losers in 2013]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/fiat-and-psa-predicted-to-be-europes-biggest-losers-in-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/fiat-and-psa-predicted-to-be-europes-biggest-losers-in-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/fiat-and-psa-predicted-to-be-europes-biggest-losers-in-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



Industry observers are expecting Europe's new vehicle sales to fall to lows not seen in decades, with Fiat and PSA/Peugeot-Citroën sitting in the lead car of the plummeting coaster. Both of those automakers traditionally count on the southern part of the continent for sales, yet consumers in that region have slowed spending due to the financial crisis.

Compounding the problem for Fiat is a lack of new product, as CEO Sergio Marchionne has stalled development to conserve cash during the downturn. PSA has invested in new vehicles, but aggressive price wars have forced it to sell its product with steep discounts. Making matters even more difficult, both companies may have their credit ratings cut this year. That would raise borrowing costs and only deepen the wounds.

The news isn't just bad for Fiat and PSA. Analysts are predicting that volume automakers in Europe lost 8 billion euros (about $10.68 billion in today's rates) overall in 2012, and they won't break even until mid-decade.

Fiat and PSA predicted to be Europe's biggest losers in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> europefiatpsapsa peugeot citroensergio marchionne Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20426489/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20426489/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/17/fiat-and-psa-predicted-to-be-europes-biggest-losers-in-2013/20426489/article-detail.xml 20426489 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/marchionne-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/marchionne-628.jpg <![CDATA[A year in gestation, Peugeot finally unveils 2008 crossover]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/a-year-in-gestation-peugeot-finally-unveils-2008-crossover/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/a-year-in-gestation-peugeot-finally-unveils-2008-crossover/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/a-year-in-gestation-peugeot-finally-unveils-2008-crossover/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Production Peugeot 2008 crossover - front three-quarter view, white

First we saw the Urban Crossover Concept at the Beijing Auto Show, a small high-rider from Peugeot that was a product of the company's design studios in Paris, Shanghai and São Paulo. That evolved into the Peugeot 2008 concept and a liquid lime paint scheme at the Paris Motor Show a few months ago, now the French firm has unveiled the production version of the B-segment crossover that's an offshoot of its 208 hatch.

At 13.6-feet long, the 2008 is about six inches longer than the 208, or two inches longer than a Mini Countryman, and it has been tuned to provide the drive of a hatchback with the stance and utility of a crossover. That stance will be set up by punched-out wheel arches covering either a set of 17-inch alloys or a "mud-and-snow" kit for the truly rugged urban animal. Utility will come via the low-loading level in back, black bumpers and side sills, and extra headroom from the double-bubble roof (there's a panorama option, too). The studios chosen to create it weren't chosen at random, the 2008's production and main markets planned as France, China and Brazil.

The engines will include three-cylinder gas units and Peugeot's e-HDi diesels. It will be shown at this year's Geneva Motor Show before it goes on sale in late summer. The press release below can tell you more about it until then.

Continue reading A year in gestation, Peugeot finally unveils 2008 crossover

A year in gestation, Peugeot finally unveils 2008 crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 20082008 concept2013 peugeot 2008peugeotpsaurban crossover concept Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20418602/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20418602/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/07/a-year-in-gestation-peugeot-finally-unveils-2008-crossover/20418602/article-detail.xml 20418602 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/peugeot2008prod_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/peugeot2008prod.jpg <![CDATA[EU formally questions French government assistance of Peugeot's finance arm]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/eu-formally-questions-french-government-assistance-of-peugeots/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/eu-formally-questions-french-government-assistance-of-peugeots/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/eu-formally-questions-french-government-assistance-of-peugeots/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Recently, the finance arm of PSA/Peugeot-Citroën was in such debt trouble that it was pricing itself out of the car loan market. The rates it was paying to service its debt, which was rated one step above junk, were so high that it was forced to charge car-buying customers higher rates than they could find elsewhere. This was adding to Peugeot's already impressive woes by sending revenue out the door to competitors.

Two months ago a deal was worked out with the French government whereby the state would provide 7 billion euro ($9 billion USD) in bonds to guarantee the finance arm's loans. The French government could nominate someone to join the Peugeot board, Peugeot would guarantee more French jobs, and on top of that deal, other banks would provide non-guaranteed loans. The government would take no equity stake in the car company.

Although not yet finalized, the arrangement is meant to create some breathing room for Peugeot Finance to lower its interest rates for customers, and a government-nominated board member, Louis Gallois, was recently named to Peugeot's supervisory board. The arrangement was also openly questioned by at least three competitors: Ford, Renault - which is 15-percent owned by the French government after it received state aid - and the German state of Lower Saxony, itself a 15-percent shareholder in Volkswagen.

Now the European Union, responding to "an unidentified Peugeot competitor," has challenged the terms of the deal, calling it state aid, which is a no-no. There was a lot of parsing-of-words at the time the potential deal was announced: Peugeot said it wasn't state aid, it was state support; Ford of Europe said it didn't think government support of companies was sustainable, making no mention that Ford Credit did receive federal aid at the beginning of our own economic crisis; and the irony of Renault and the German state's complaints was apparently lost in their outrage.

The EU has requested official notification of the deal, which is the prelude before Brussels begins a full investigation into the matter, and that could raise the cost of the deal. The government doesn't think an investigation is warranted since the funds only go to the finance arm and the loan is being made at market rates. Peugeot, on the other hand, has apparently been prepared for such an eventuality and is working with Brussels on the matter. The deal, if it closes, should be concluded early next year.

EU formally questions French government assistance of Peugeot's finance arm originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> citroneueuropean unionEuropean Union Competition Commissionfordfrancepeugeotpsa peugeot citroenrenaultvolkswagen Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20410398/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20410398/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/28/eu-formally-questions-french-government-assistance-of-peugeots/20410398/article-detail.xml 20410398 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/peugeoteuchallenge_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/peugeoteuchallenge.jpg <![CDATA[Petrolicioius follows one Peugeot through the circle of life]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/petrolicioius-follows-one-peugeot-through-the-circle-of-life/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/petrolicioius-follows-one-peugeot-through-the-circle-of-life/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/petrolicioius-follows-one-peugeot-through-the-circle-of-life/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Petrolicious Peugeot

In 1939, Vensio Pagani's father packed his family up and fled war-torn Italy for France, leaving everything behind in the process. The family home, friends and even his father's prize Peugeot convertible were all abandoned in the hope that the Paganis could find a safer future for themselves.

Vensio cultivated a passion for restoring period vehicles over the intervening 70 years, and happened to spot a vintage Peugeot just like his father's at a swap meet. The car was in pieces and badly in need of restoration, but Vensio drug it back to his shop and began rebuilding the car from the ground up.

It wasn't until he cleaned off the frame that he noticed something special. After scratching back the rust, grime and paint of seven decades, Vensio discovered that the serial number of the car he purchased matched his father's - amazingly, he had found his dad's long-lost Peugeot. Our friends at Petrolicious took the time to speak with Vensio in his workshop for their latest video. You can take a look at it below.

Continue reading Petrolicioius follows one Peugeot through the circle of life

Petrolicioius follows one Peugeot through the circle of life originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> classicpetroliciouspeugeotvideovintage Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20411321/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20411321/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/26/petrolicioius-follows-one-peugeot-through-the-circle-of-life/20411321/article-detail.xml 20411321 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/petrolicious-peugteot-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/petrolicious-peugteot-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM, PSA scrap large car program, move forward with small engine development]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/gm-psa-scrap-large-car-program-move-forward-with-small-engine/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/gm-psa-scrap-large-car-program-move-forward-with-small-engine/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/gm-psa-scrap-large-car-program-move-forward-with-small-engine/#comments Filed under: ,

GM Peugeot

The partnership between General Motors and PSA Peugeot-Citroën isn't expected to produce any results until 2016, but it has created plenty of news (and speculation) since it was formed back in February. Now, GM is laying out some of the specifics of the deal while Automotive News Europe is reporting plans have been scrapped to produce a shared platform for a midsize sedan.

In "definitive agreements" between the two automakers, GM says that three new vehicle platforms are still on track; one of these will bring a new compact minivan to GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands and a compact crossover to Peugeot, and the other platform will be for B-segment minivans for both entities to share. ANE says that the proposed shared platform for the Opel Insignia and Citroën was canceled due to the lack of a sound business case.

In addition to cars, the joint venture will also be an opportunity for both automakers to develop "high-performance, efficient" gasoline engines and to create joint purchasing to allow both companies to potentially save money (this aspect of the agreement is still pending legal clearance from anti-trust approvals).

GM's official statement is posted after the jump.

Continue reading GM, PSA scrap large car program, move forward with small engine development

GM, PSA scrap large car program, move forward with small engine development originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> citroengeneral motorsgm peugeotgm psagm psa peugeot citroenjoint ventureopel peugeotvauxhall peugeot Sat, 22 Dec 2012 15:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20408466/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20408466/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/22/gm-psa-scrap-large-car-program-move-forward-with-small-engine/20408466/article-detail.xml 20408466 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/gmpugworse_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/gmpugworse.jpg <![CDATA[UK auto magazine says this is the best car commercial of all time [w/videos]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/uk-auto-magazine-says-this-is-the-best-car-commercial-of-all-tim/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/uk-auto-magazine-says-this-is-the-best-car-commercial-of-all-tim/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/uk-auto-magazine-says-this-is-the-best-car-commercial-of-all-tim/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,

Honda Accord

There have been many great car commercials over the years, but is it possible to define the best? Well, Ad Week recently took a crack at it by rating the top commercials of the year by looking at their view counts on YouTube, but Auto Express took a more democratic approach by putting the decision to a vote. Just after Thanksgiving, Auto Express came up with a list of the 20 popular commercials, and it tasked its readers with choosing the winner for the best car ad of all time. The winner? Honda's 2003 commercial for its then-new European Accord titled "The Cog."

While the ad never aired in the US, most car people have surely seen the impressive Rube Goldberg-style spot. In fact, the only commercial on this list that we saw on US television was the Volkswagen ad "The Force," but many of the others have become viral videos, including transforming and dancing Citroën C4. Of the 19 other commercials that vied for the title of best ad of all time, only the Ford Puma "Steve McQueen" commercial gave Honda a run for its advertising money.

Scroll down to watch Auto Express' top five commercial in order and to check out a press release, then let us know some of your favorite car commercials in Comments.

Continue reading UK auto magazine says this is the best car commercial of all time [w/videos]

UK auto magazine says this is the best car commercial of all time [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> advertisingbest commercialscar commercialcar commercialscitroëncitroencommercialsfordhondahonda cogpeugeotsteve mcqueenvideovolkswagen Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20406655/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20406655/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/20/uk-auto-magazine-says-this-is-the-best-car-commercial-of-all-tim/20406655/article-detail.xml 20406655 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/honda-cog-commercial_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/honda-cog-commercial.jpg <![CDATA[European Car of the Year finalists announced]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/european-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/european-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/european-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,



Electric cars may have won the European Car of the Year award two years in a row now (Opel Ampera in 2012, and Nissan Leaf in 2011), we can say without reservation that the 2013 ECotY will be a petrol-burning, internal combustionizer. That's because not a single electric vehicle made it to the contest's final round. But eight other cars did.

At the top of the alphabetical list is Ford's Fiesta-based, B-Max MPV. Five doors, good ride and fuel-efficient, award-winning engine choices are some of the reasons it makes the list. Next is the Hyundai i30, known as the Elantra GT Stateside, with either five or three doors, a roomy cabin and a 1.6-liter CRDi engine. The nominating committee commends the handsome hatch for improved exterior aesthetics and a multilink suspension that "shows in ride and handling."

Mercedes gets the next spot with its hot hatch: the turbocharged A-Class, followed by another hatch, the Peugeot 208. The next finalist is from another marque we haven't seen in the States for quite some time - the fourth-generation Renault Clio, followed by the Subaru/Toyota dynamic duo of BRZ and the GT86. The last two contenders are the all-new Volkswagen Golf and the svelte Volvo V40.

The European Car of the Year will be announced in early March after the jury has tallied its votes.

European Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> car awardsecotyecoty 2013europeEuropean Car of the Year Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20407536/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20407536/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/20/european-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/20407536/article-detail.xml 20407536 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/ecoty-logo-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/ecoty-logo-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Peugeot to axe 1,500 more jobs as Euro sales funk deepens]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/peugeot-to-axe-1-500-more-jobs-as-euro-sales-funk-deepens/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/peugeot-to-axe-1-500-more-jobs-as-euro-sales-funk-deepens/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/peugeot-to-axe-1-500-more-jobs-as-euro-sales-funk-deepens/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Peugeot Emblem

Peugeot has announced it will cut 1,500 jobs by 2014 as the European Union economy continues to falter. Bloomberg reports the layoffs join a further 8,000 announced back in July, and will be made by simply not replacing workers who leave. All told, the French automaker wants to slash its current workforce by 17 percent, or around 11,200 positions, by 2014, while also shuttering a facility outside of Paris and working to build strategic alliances with manufacturers like General Motors. Workers have been told the company's overall workforce will decline to 55,900 individuals in 2014. Even with those moves, analysts predict next year will one of the hardest for Peugeot in recent memory.

While 2012 saw the automaker liquidate some assets to maintain its cash reserves, that won't be an option next year. The company has been burning through those funds at a rate of around 200 million euros per month, and has announced its net debt will be somewhere around 3 billion euros at the end of 2012. In response, Moodys cut the automaker's long term debt rating to three levels below investment grade. In October, the French government voted to give Peugeot up to 7 billion euros in new bonds, and the measure should be fully adopted by December 19.

Peugeot to axe 1,500 more jobs as Euro sales funk deepens originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> layoffspeugeotpeugeot cutspeugeot layoffs Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20401368/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20401368/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/13/peugeot-to-axe-1-500-more-jobs-as-euro-sales-funk-deepens/20401368/article-detail.xml 20401368 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/pug-emblem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/pug-emblem.jpg <![CDATA[PSA and Renault both hit by autoworker strikes]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/01/psa-and-renault-both-hit-by-autoworker-strikes/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/01/psa-and-renault-both-hit-by-autoworker-strikes/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/01/psa-and-renault-both-hit-by-autoworker-strikes/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



Peugeot-Citroën (PSA) and Renault were both the targets of autoworker strikes on Thursday, the result of ongoing tensions between labor and management in the wake of planned facility closings in 2014.

3,000 French jobs stand to be lost in less than two years when the PSA's Aulnay plant executes a planned closure of a production line. The line in question currently builds Citroën's C3 subcompact model.

Negotiations are reportedly still underway, with PSA pledging to offer jobs elsewhere to about half of the Aulnay workers that stand to be laid off.

Meanwhile, blood-rival Renualt has faced two work stoppages as well. Workers of at that company walked out in protest of cost-cutting measures that would seek to bring French production costs inline with those of similar operations in Spain. Tough times all around for France's two primary automakers.

PSA and Renault both hit by autoworker strikes originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Dec 2012 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> citroëncitroenpeugeotpsarenaultstrikework stoppage Sat, 01 Dec 2012 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20391746/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20391746/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/01/psa-and-renault-both-hit-by-autoworker-strikes/20391746/article-detail.xml 20391746 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/peugeot-citroen-renault-strikes-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/peugeot-citroen-renault-strikes-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM, Peugeot cease tie-up talks over French bailout issue]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/gm-peugeot-cease-tie-up-talks-over-french-bailout-issue/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/gm-peugeot-cease-tie-up-talks-over-french-bailout-issue/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/gm-peugeot-cease-tie-up-talks-over-french-bailout-issue/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,



The partnership General Motors (via Opel) and PSA Peugeot/Citroën began in February has produced more declarations and revisions than easily identifiable positive movement. A deeper collaboration between Opel and Peugeot has been mentioned a few times, perhaps even a sale of one to the other, and a report in October laid out joint plans like a small MPV for Opel/Vauxhall, a small car for both Opel and Citroën and two new platforms for small and midsize cars.

What observers can't glean from the proclamations is how all this can happen with Peugeot in constant, and worsening, financial trouble. The French company just accepted a bailout from the French government, the cash position at its lending arm so bad that the interest rates it had to charge were pricing it out of the car-loan market, and a new report in Reuters says that Peugeot is losing $200 million per month.

That cash-burn rate is better than a few months ago, but the Reuters report explains that the French government loan is "sabotaging" any chance of a closer tie-up between the two companies, said to include the possibility of "a full combination of Peugeot with GM's European unit Opel." That particular option, with a $5-billion buy-in from GM, could have allowed GM to get Opel off its books by making it part of a separate entity. The French government's terms for the loan, however, mean that Peugeot can't shed workers and factories as it would need to in order to make the new entity, and any deeper ties with Opel, viable.

Beyond that, the plan to jointly develop a small car for Peugeot in Brazil has been shelved, Peugeot has left Iran, it's second largest global market, and has given up ties on other technology projects with Ford and BMW. GM has no interest in other Peugeot initiatives like a push into India and rechargeable hybrids. It's said that more cooperation between the two will have to wait for a turnaround in the European market, expected in 2014.

GM, Peugeot cease tie-up talks over French bailout issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> citroenfrancegmgm peugeotopelpeugeotpsa peugeot citroenvauxhall Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20378903/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20378903/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/14/gm-peugeot-cease-tie-up-talks-over-french-bailout-issue/20378903/article-detail.xml 20378903 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/gmpugworse_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/gmpugworse.jpg <![CDATA[Ford, Renault, VW shareholder oppose French aid for PSA/Peugeot-Citroën]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/29/ford-renault-vw-shareholder-oppose-french-aid-for-psa-peugeot/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/29/ford-renault-vw-shareholder-oppose-french-aid-for-psa-peugeot/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/29/ford-renault-vw-shareholder-oppose-french-aid-for-psa-peugeot/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Peugeot lion emblem on sheetmetal

Pots and kettles, glass houses and stones - that's a little of what we appear to have going on in the European car market. New reports say that that three European automakers have registered their opposition to a loan deal that PSA/Peugeot-Citroën is working on with the French government. Peugeot's finance arm, Banque PSA Finance, is struggling with its debts and has been downgraded by Moody's to its lowest investment-grade classification, one step above junk. This makes it more expensive for a potential buyer to finance a car through Peugeot. The last thing Peugeot needs is more difficulty selling cars in the tough European market, and the situation will only worsen if the bank's credit worthiness takes another hit.

A deal being worked on would have the French government offer €7 billion ($9B U.S.) in bonds to guarantee the bank's loans, which would give the institution some breathing room to manage its debts and lower its interest rates. Outside of that, a group of banks would provide other, non-guaranteed loans to the bank to further help its position. In exchange for state help, though, the government wants seats on Peugeot's board for worker representatives and a government liaison, along with factory and worker guarantees. The Peugeot family would maintain control of the company.

So what we have is government assistance being provided to a car company's finance arm, akin to the way General Motors' GMAC (now Ally Financial) and Chrysler Financial got help in their time of need. What we also have is Ford and Renault, and Germany's State of Lower Saxony, the second-largest shareholder in Volkswagen, voicing their concern about the proposal, because they say it could create an unfair competitive advantage for Peugeot. Everyone in Europe's down market is fighting for every sale, and if Peugeot gets help to keep its auto loan costs down, it figures to help buyers choose Peugeot or Citroën.

Still, after four years of corporations openly begging for funds from governments, it seems disingenuous for Ford of Europe's CEO Stephen Odell to say "I don't think it's sustainable for support from governments to keep competitive companies going forward, particularly in a protracted downsized economy." Industry watchers will remember that during the US auto industry crisis, Ford didn't receive federal TARP funds, but it did receive low-interest technology loans from the US government and it endorsed TARP support for GM and Chrysler.

For its part, Renault says it is keeping an eye on the situation, and a rep from Lower Saxony said he might refer the issue to the European Union for review. In reply, a Peugeot executive said "It's not state aid, it's state support," which is the kind of slicing-things-thin that's perhaps better used for carpaccio than for dealing with the European car market situation.

Ford, Renault, VW shareholder oppose French aid for PSA/Peugeot-Citroën originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> banque psa financecar salescitroëncitroeneueuropean car salesfordfrancelower saxonypsapsa peugeot citroenrenault Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20363061/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20363061/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/29/ford-renault-vw-shareholder-oppose-french-aid-for-psa-peugeot/20363061/article-detail.xml 20363061 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/pugfrenchloans_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/pugfrenchloans.jpg -1 2