[S2!!!]

Peugeot is said to return to India once again. After having 'burnt its fingers' in the country during its first innings from 1994-1997, the French car maker is considering to enter India by 2018-19.

The media report goes on to suggest that Peugeot is considering a manufacturing unit in the country to fulfill its export ambitions too. Peugeot's interest in India was reflected by its formation of a new India-Pacific business zone which included the SAARC countries as well as Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.


Link to news article

[acidkill]

I read somewhere that fiat Chrysler may merge with Peugeot Citroen because both are looking for partners. Besides, I hope Mitsubishi considers this alliance to help them scale up

[MHG]

The news reminds of the Top Gear Series 22 Episode 5 feature on Peugeot.

Here is a link to that segment (mods: delete this link if it is not okay to post it here) http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2if9gy

This cracks me up every time I watch it

[kothamasi]

I don't know why you say Peugeot is finding it tough to survive in European markets. I live in Europe and I can say on the contrary it is a dominant and successful player in Europe. Several of its models (Partner, 208, 308 etc) are popular best-sellers here in Europe. True they failed in India because PAL launched 309 when it had started showing signs of age and was practically out of the European market.


"Their cars are finding it tough to survive in the European markets, for which they were designed - how will they sell in India? Saying made by GM will make most people cringe."

[RSR]

Peugeot-Citroën will certainly bounce back for sure, and may be doing so even as we speak. The problem with the French automaker is that they were not evenly spread out globally, unlike fellow French manufacturer Renault.

Thanks to Romanian subsidiary Dacia (strong in Eastern Europe, North Africa & other emerging markets) and Japanese Alliance partner Nissan (strong in Asia-Pacific & North America), Renault were not affected much by the recession. Whatever slump was experienced by Renault in their core markets (same as those of Peugeot-Citroën), it was more than made up for by good performance by subsidiary Dacia and partner Nissan in other parts of the world.

Peugeot-Citroën did not have such a luxury. Thus they were hit hard by the recession and stagnation in their core markets. Still, they have managed to hold on, and have the second highest marketshare in Europe (after the Volkswagen group).

They are on the right track by developing a great answer to Renault's Dacia with their stylish Peugeot 301 & Citroën C-Elysée twins mainly aimed at emerging markets. The platform can be utilised for other body styles to develop a family of stylish emerging market cars.

Their regular line-up is also developing well and they are bound to claw back marketshare in Europe soon.

In India, Peugeot committed the mistake of tying up with the wrong local partner, and also shot themselves in the foot by bringing in an outdated model (309). The car did earn praise for its superb "magic carpet" ride quality (very typical of French suspensions) and its TUD5 diesel motor, which was much better than any comparable engine at that time. The Peugeot TUD5 went on to do duty in a variety of vehicles (Maruti Suzuki Zen & Esteem diesels, Hyundai Accent diesel, Premier Rio diesel and Roadstar mini-truck) even after Peugeot's exit from India.

If PSA are planning to re-enter India, they should do so with the Citroën brand. Peugeot had earned a bad reputation from their earlier fiasco and it may hurt their brand name adversely even now.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by RSR

Peugeot-Citroën will certainly bounce back for sure, and may be doing so even as we speak. The problem with the French automaker is that they were not evenly spread out globally, unlike fellow French manufacturer Renault.

Peugeot-Citroën did not have such a luxury. Thus they were hit hard by the recession and stagnation in their core markets. Still, they have managed to hold on, and have the second highest marketshare in Europe (after the Volkswagen group).

They are on the right track by developing a great answer to Renault's Dacia with their stylish Peugeot 301 & Citroën C-Elysée twins mainly aimed at emerging markets. The platform can be utilised for other body styles to develop a family of stylish emerging market cars..

Well said. Peugeot were in dire straights. depending on the European market was too small for survival. They did two things. 1: Spend on developing newer better models. 2: Sell significant equity to China

That is why they decided to put India on hold and focus on surviving

They now get significant volumes due to China and better markt shar in Europe. They are doing very well in Turkey

Originally Posted by kothamasi

. True they failed in India because PAL launched 309 when it had started showing signs of age and was practically out of the European market.

"

The 306 was already out by then

[KiloAlpha]

Slightly off topic, but ...

When Maruti Udyog were looking for a partner back in 1981-82, the strongest contender until Suzuki happened along was Peugeot! Maruti were very keen on launching the 205 in India. The deal fell apart due to timing. Peugeot were on track for a 1983 launch of the 205 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peugeot_205) and would have been able to sell kits to Maruti in the 2nd half of 1984. But Indira Gandhi was adamant on completing the project and launching the car by the end of 1983.

I wonder what the Indian auto scene and PSA Peugeot-Citroen Alliance scenario would have been if the deal had gone through way back when?

[volkman10]

Peugeot considering 208 for India? Data reveals Peugeot 208 imported to India recently.

The newly launched Peugeot 208 has landed in India as the French automaker will soon commence testing of its new hatchback in India.

The Peugeot 208 comes with a range of 1.0-litre, 1.2-litre and 1.2-litre turbo petrol engines and it is a direct competition to the Volkswagen Polo and the Fiat Punto Evo.

http://motoroctane.com/news/17585-pe...ndia-exclusive

[johannskaria]

Economic Times Article link

[SRK]

Hope this Tata-Peugeot thing doesn't go the Tata-Fiat way.

While the new Peugeot products are very good looking, it would be interesting to see how they will make a comeback.

[arjab]

This is not the first time Peugeot is exploring opportunities with TML.

I know from a friend of mine, that unknown to many, in the late nineties - early 2000's, PSA was actively working with TML on a mid size sedan project.
In fact the project went ahead a fair bit, so much so, that a crack team of TML engineers were even deputed to PSA in France to do a lot of collaborative engineering work, including defining the product.
After that what happened is not clear, but the project got shelved, maybe due to branding, marketing or revenue sharing issues.

It would be good in fact if TML and PSA tie up. Sanand, which is a very modern plant can be utilised. Tech sharing between PSA (an acknowledged master in diesel powertrains) and TML, will benefit TML positively. PSA can leverage TML's frugal engineering expertise for their developmental activities and meeting cost targets. Both can source from TML suppliers, giving the "Nano-inflicted" suppliers a fresh lease of life by actually assigning them greater volumes.

Just let them not commit the mistake they did with the FIAT JV. By collaborating on the retail front. Let the retail remain separate and let them sell cars through their respective independent showrooms.

This can actually turn out to be a win-win for both if executed well.

[Ravindra M]

In today's Economic Times, there is a news about Peugeot's plans to try Indian market once again.

Link : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/49220773.cms

If this venture succeeds, both Tata Motors and Peugeot's fortune will change for good !

[//M]

Peugeot plans India return, in talks with Tata Motors to form partnership

Source: Economic Times - Article

PSA Peugeot Citroen and Tata Motors are in talks to form a partnership that might result in Tata producing and distributing the French giant's cars in the Indian market, several people close to the development said. The two firms may also share engine technology, they added.

If talks fructify, Tata Motors could make PSA's cars at its Sanand plant in Gujarat. The factory was set up to produce the Nano, the minicar, whose sales fell short of Tata's expectations and worsened its position in a sluggish auto market.

[//M]

French carmaker Peugeot says no plan for swift return to India

Source: Reuters - Article

PSA Peugeot Citroen has no plans to re-enter India's car market any time soon, a company spokesman told Reuters, after an Indian newspaper reported that the French carmaker is in talks with Tata Motors to form a local partnership.

The tie-up between Peugeot and Tata Motors could include the Indian company producing and distributing the French carmakers' vehicles in the country, the Economic Times reported, quoting several people close to the development.

The two firms may also share engine technology and vehicle platforms, the report said, without specifying a timeline for Peugeot's entry.

"To date, there is no decision taken regarding a swift return to India," a Peugeot spokesman said

[happy_traveller]

These are conflicting reports. Today's Times Of India business edition had a small text (news snippet) at the top of the page mentioning that Peugeot has no plans of re-entering Indian market anytime soon.