[ajmat]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

If wishes were horses then - a retro Two Horses (aka 2CV) and a retro GS (or was it DS). These will show how modern (even by today's standards) was French technology of more than 50 years ago!

Both the DS and GS were way ahead.

However, French cars aint what they used to be - dodgy electrics, no supple suspension and press on handling. They've become heavy euro boxes. Actually the Logan possesses the traditional french values of durability and rough road handling

[issigonis]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

If wishes were horses then - a retro Two Horses (aka 2CV) and a retro GS (or was it DS). These will show how modern (even by today's standards) was French technology of more than 50 years ago!

>>>
sgiitk,

Correct - if wishes were horses! Those glory days of Citroen are long gone and the froggies now plough a lonely furrow. Unless they have a product which makes more sense to the Indian customer, wrt the Japs, the Koreans, Tata and the Yanks, I don't see the point in coming to India now and trying to hawk a me too product.

Further, the success of any auto product depends a lot on the after sale strategy and implementation of the same.

So,
i. product planning for India
ii. product positioning & communications
iii. sales network
iv. training to sales staff
v. service and spares network
vi. training to service staff
vii. vendor development & management
is a very, very long haul.

Let's see how it unfolds.

Regards, drive safe

[StarrySky]

I think it's already too late if Peugeot/Citroen is planning a hatchback for India. The hatch market is already crowded and atleast two more (Etios hatch, Honda small car) are set to join in the next 6-12 months.

I like Citroen C4 Picasso - so I secretly wish they launch it here in India!

[Avinash_R]

The Citroen DS3 was voted the small car of the year and the World Car of the year by Top Gear.

Here is the link below:
Cambridge Motors News | New Car News & Motor Shows | DS3 wins 'Car of Year' honour

Quite a capable car in my opinion.

[Sowmya]

Originally Posted by StarrySky

I think it's already too late if Peugeot/Citroen is planning a hatchback for India. The hatch market is already crowded and atleast two more (Etios hatch, Honda small car) are set to join in the next 6-12 months.

I like Citroen C4 Picasso - so I secretly wish they launch it here in India!

Its crowded becos no one wants to phase out the Model. And yearly we are adding up 4-5 extra new variant.
In SA this two comp has a good presence and I feel that those car can really kill some of the Indian Hatch by looks and performance

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Sowmya

Its crowded becos no one wants to phase out the Model. And yearly we are adding up 4-5 extra new variant.

So true. Cars in India - especially the sub-6 lakh ones - have an awfully long lifespan. However, model replacement is frequent in the 8+ lakh segment due to higher expectations of the customer.

Originally Posted by issigonis

The PSA group specialises in hatchbacks and smaller cars ( although they have their larger sedans), the Indian marketplace is brutal and there is a very steep learning curve ahead for them.

So true; plus, our hatchback segment is dominated by the Japanese, Korean & homegrown products. European hatchbacks have never had it easy (Fabia, Palio etc.) as they are heavier (thus, lesser FE) and more expensive to make. Its only in the recent past that Euros like the Figo (a cut-price previous generation model) and Polo (stripped down variants with 3 cylinder engines) have met with some degree of success.

[invidious]

I doubt this has as much to do with taking the Indian market by storm than to actually make India a small car manufacturing hub. A couple things are in India's favor -

a. China. While China should ideally be the hotspot for manufacturing cars; their lack of Intellectual Property laws make India a better option. Just look at how Geely openly stole from the likes of GM and nothing could be done.

b. The world moving toward smaller cars - margins are tight. You could make a killing on a Dodge Durango or a Ford Expedition when you were a manufacturer but if you are selling Micras then you better cut costs as well as you can. And Indian labor is significantly cheaper.

[Sn1p3r]

Peugeot should be willing to payback my money with compoundable interest before they really think of entering again.

Cars have quirky designs IMHO and there is no USP attached to them. They sell in France under protectionist industrial pressures else Germans will eat them before they can even wink, e.g. UK car companies barring few.

Thus in India, they are equivalent of a Maruti Suzuki and thus I do not feel they will make any sort of mark here.

Cheers!

[romeomidhun]

Originally Posted by Sn1p3r

Cars have quirky designs IMHO and there is no USP attached to them. They sell in France under protectionist industrial pressures else Germans will eat them before they can even wink, e.g. UK car companies barring few.

Thus in India, they are equivalent of a Maruti Suzuki and thus I do not feel they will make any sort of mark here.

Just like to know what protectionism Maruti enjoys now in India.

Even after India Govt exited from Maruti, they sell as much cars as others combined!

One more thing - the quirky designs from Maruti (Swift, Ritz etc) have other USPs like superb engines, high mileage, low maintenance costs etc.

So, IMO, it is unfair to compare Peugeot with Maruti in those aspects.

[An1]

Originally Posted by Sn1p3r

Peugeot should be willing to payback my money with compoundable interest before they really think of entering again.

Cars have quirky designs IMHO and there is no USP attached to them. They sell in France under protectionist industrial pressures else Germans will eat them before they can even wink, e.g. UK car companies barring few.

Thus in India, they are equivalent of a Maruti Suzuki and thus I do not feel they will make any sort of mark here.

Cheers!

Absolutely agree.. In France, maximum number of cars you will see on the road are Renault, followed by Citroën / Peugeot.
Protectionism !! You bet.

The above 3 French companies only provide cars for their President effectively making them 'HM's - Ambassador' of France.
By the way, Nicolas Sarkozy prefers Renault.

One time French cars were good, infact Citroën DS had a unique ability to drive on three wheels and to even keep running when more than one tyre is punctured, but maybe protectionism has made their car industry become complacent.
French cars are not known for any differentiating feature from manufacturers from other countries or even from our own homegrown car manufacturers.

Maybe they should try to get Peugeot 407 @ INR 10 Lacs OR Renault Megane hatch @ INR 6 Lacs in India.

[Sn1p3r]

@romeomidhun: Maruti parallel was drawn in terms of their offerings. Protectionism went a good mile to make Maruti what it is today. Rest Peugeot does not have anything special to offer just like Maruti.

[amitwlele]

Looks like Peugeot is waking up from the slumber and getting ready for one more attempt to capture indian consumers after they withdrew from their partnership with Premier in 2001. The Sedan space seems to be hotting up with Peugeot targetting this segment initially with C5 launch.

Detailed news article at the link:
Peugeot Citroen to re-enter India, to launch sedan - The Economic Times

Does any BHPian have first hand experience of PAL-Peugeot cars that were available about a decade back?

Do you think Peugeot Citroen can pose any competition to all the Hondas, VWs, Toyotas, Marutis currently jostling for customer share in the sedan market?

[rg_chn]

I have had the chance to extensively drive a Peugot 309 in Chennai. The car belonged to a friend, who got a FFE, 15" Lenso samurai's and a nice red paint job. The car, though approx 15 years old, would do close to 195 (on the odo) with 5 of us in the car!

Maintaining it, though, was a pain, spares were hard to come by, and expensive.

[sameerpb]

Peugot 309D was my first car and I drove the car for 1 Lakh kms in 3 years, apart from spares and maintainance 309 D was the best buy of that time.

Given a choice would love to own Peugot car again

[Mpower]

They have been in hang mode for several years now. IMO they should hook up with Argentum?? (ex-Daewoo factory) and begin production as quickly as possible.

Peugeot diesels are tough cars and proven in places like Africa.