The PSA Peugeot Citroen Group will launch 11 new plug-in models within the next five years as it announces short term plans for its brands. Announced as part of the Push to Pass plan, the new green models will come as part of a product blitz that includes 26 new passenger cars, eight light commercial vehicles and a one tonne pick-up.
The group – which owns the Peugeot, Citroen and DS brands – is looking to improve vehicle quality and will release “one new car, per region, per brand and per year”.
At the core of these plans is significant investment in new technology, where the seven plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and four electric vehicles (EVs) come in. The move is not unexpected since DS Automobiles has entered Formula E with the aim of using the motor racing series as a test bed for new EV systems over the coming years.
Full details will be announced later today, but the PSA Group’s Push to Pass plan aims to meet customers’ needs by shifting the company’s model range in line with expected mobility trends. The plans are a first step towards the group’s aim to be “a great global carmaker with cutting edge efficiency and the preferred mobility provider worldwide for lifetime customer relationship”.
As a company, there has been a recent focus on frugal spending on R&D and production costs, and this will continue at least for the next five years. These plans should put PSA in a strong position financially and aim to see the group continue to lead the market in low-emission vehicles. The PSA Group has the lowest CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Emissions) figure of any volume manufacturer in the world at 110.3 g/km CO2 – compared with the average 123.7 g/km.
Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board said: “Based on our financial reconstruction, we will launch a global product and technology offensive. Now more agile, we are ready to shift paradigms by anticipating changes in car usage patterns.
“Our digital transformation will make the PSA Group a company connected to its customers. With ‘Push to Pass’, we will ensure PSA profitable organic growth.”
