Peugeot, Citroën and Vauxhall will share platforms and multiple models in late 2016, it announced earlier today.
The first of the models will be a ‘compact-class’ Vauxhall/Opel multi-purpose van and a ‘compact-class’ Peugeot cross-over. The announcement is likely to form the basis of the next-generation Vauxhall Zafira and a replacement for the Peugeot 4007, the latter previously co-developed with Mitsubishi.
It is understood Peugeot is being lined-up to build these cars for both brands, which fits in with GM’s plan to close its Bochum plant in 2014/15.
The second ‘common vehicle project’ is a ‘small-car’ multi-purpose vehicle to be shared by Vauxhall/Opel and Citroën, possibly the replacements for the Meriva and C3 Picasso.
The third common project is described as ‘an upgraded, low-CO2, small car segment platform to feed Opel/Vauxhall’s next-generation of cars in Europe and other regions’. That could be interpreted as the Vauxhall Corsa/Peugeot 208/Citroen C3 or possibly the segment below. Although PSA is already in a joint venture for a city car with Toyota.
Finally, the two groups will co-operate on ‘a joint program for mid-size cars for Opel/Vauxhall and the Peugeot/Citroën brands’, which is widely expected to mean the Insignia and 508/C5; models struggling to sell in big enough numbers as European consumers down-size or switch to cross-overs.
Together with other cost-saving projects, the four common joint-model programmes are expected to save around £1.5bn a year for both companies. “All four projects will be developed combining the best platform architectures and technologies from the Alliance partners,” said a joint statement from PSA and GM.
They are also planning to further increase purchasing synergies and ‘explore other cooperation opportunities’.
