GM and PSA Peugeot Citroen will jointly develop people-movers, a compact SUV and a new platform for the next generation of Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen light cars under a strategic partnership formed almost a year ago.
PSA’s Peugeot brand will get a new compact SUV as part of the deal, which is likely to replace the Mitsubishi ASX-based 4008, although there was no mention of Citroen getting a replacement for its similar C4 Aircross.
Development of new B-Segment (light) people-movers will be led by GM but developed on PSA platforms to replace Opel’s Meriva, and could become the next Citroen C3 Picasso while providing Peugeot with a product to sit below its 3008 crossover.
The current Opel/Vauxhall Corsa light car is based on a platform shared with Fiat’s Punto and is overdue for replacement.
GM and PSA also intend to co-develop a new generation of high performance, efficient three-cylinder petrol engines based on PSA’s three-pot engine that is already doing service in the 208 light car. (Giddy yet?)
The strategic alliance between GM’s loss-making European operation and the struggling French conglomerate, announced in February last year, aims to cut costs and boost economies of scale.
At the vehicle development announcement in Brussels, GM vice chairman Steve Girsky and PSA chairman Philippe Varin also outlined their intentions to further expand their alliance to make the most of opportunities in growing markets such as Latin America and Russia.
PSA is no stranger to vehicle sharing, having partnerships with Toyota, Mitsubishi and BMW. In some societies she would be considered a ‘tart’.
Mitsubishi has a deal with PSA enabling Peugeot and Citroen to sell rebadged i-MiEV electric cars and the BMW Group has a long-standing four-cylinder engine sharing arrangement with PSA.
Apart from Corsa sharing Fiat Punto underpinnings, GM Europe’s partnerships are largely in the commercial vehicle sector, sharing mid-sized and large vans with Renault-Nissan and its compact Combo van based on Fiat’s Doblo – which is also sold in the US under Chrysler’s commercial brand, Ram.
And after all that, the cars will probably be made in Thailand anyway!
