Peugeot Citroen reveals new global vision
PSA Peugeot Citroen’s new CEO Carlos Tavares is wasting little time in his bid to lead the French carmaker’s recovery, today announcing a global vision that’ll see the Group’s line-ups cut to 26 models by 2020.
The reshuffle is one of four essential objectives for the 2014-18 “Back in the Race” plan, developed to substantially increase operating profits by the start of the next decade.
Advertisement – short article continues below
According to Tavares, by nearly halving the 45-strong model range, PSA Peugeot Citroen will be able to offer “more competitive and much more attractive products” – a result of less line-up crossover and improved R&D allocation.
Alongside this, the plan will see even more development of DS as a fully-fledged premium brand, as the group continues to reposition its three line-ups.
Citroen will for that reason focus on producing much more affordable, quirky models like the recently launched C4 Cactus, with Peugeot providing a mid-level range to slot below the DS line-up.
PSA Dongfeng partnership to focus on emerging markets
As well as restructuring the Group’s brands, Tavares also wants to build on the success of the Dongfeng partnership in China, expanding PSA Peugeot Citroen operations in Asia and other growing markets.
This will see the launch of a new six-region global organisation structure, aimed at improving the company’s fortunes in Russia and Latin America in particular within the next three years.
Not that Europe will be left behind, the group is apparently set to modernise its plants as it looks to remain competitive and develop a much more profit-driven culture.