GM News: General Motors & Peugeot-Citroën In Talks

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

February 22, 2012

Question: What do GM's European arm and Peugeot-Citroën have in common? The answer; both are in dire financial straits and are trying to turn their fortunes around. GM's European arm announced a $562 million loss in 2011. Meanwhile, Peugeot-Citroën's announced a loss of $121 million in 2011 and has cut 6,000 jobs.

It seems fitting then that GM and Peugeot-Citroën are talking about an alliance. Reuters is reporting that the two are in talks about a possible alliance. The alliance would have Opel/Vauxhall and Peugeot-Citroën cooperating on projects ranging from developing engines and transmissions to complete models that each brand could sell. No shares for either company would change hands.

French newspaper La Tribune says the talks have been going on for the past few months and is entering the final stage of negotiations.

When asked for comment, GM spokesman Johan Willems said,

"We routinely talk with others in the industry, but have no comment beyond that."

PSA, Peugeot & Citroën's parent company said in a statement,

"In the context of its globalization strategy and improving its operational performance, PSA Peugeot Citroen looks at potential cooperations and alliances, There can be no certainty at this stage that these discussions will result in any agreement."

Source: Reuters, Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[Drew Dowdell]

mmm... Buick Park Avenue C6.....

[§carlet §wordfish]

With Hydractive suspension? Awwwww yeaaaaaah.

[G. David Felt]

Very interesting twist, wonder if GM will finally cut their own staff to get losses undercontrol and then get profitable with the alliance.

[Camino LS6]

More Euro-pit.

[Robert Hall]

PSA has JVs already w/ Fiat for MPVs, Mitsubishi for SUVs, and Toyota for minicars..sounds like this could be something like that for unspecified hardware or product.

[daves87rs]

Um...

[hyperv6]

Word is that PSA, Peugeot & Citroën's entered the meeting with a white flag wanting to surrender.

I see little Peugeot could offer GM other than Diesel, a world rally car and a old F1 car. Their street cars suck for quailty and styling. Only the French and 3rd world countries seem to love them. Even the Armenians won't steal them.

[67impss]

Fiat held the diesel carrot to GM's nose once and that "put" bit it off and IIRC GM didn't get anything in return. Does Peugeot have any upgraded "read modern" diesels in their arsenal? Something that would be worth the risk? I haven't followed Peugeot but I don't remember hearing ANYTHING of their engines and that's what would get me reading about them if anything would. I hear more from Yanmar & Kubota though not the same league they've updated their lines in the mini size sub 1.5 L to meet emissions and they're almost grenade proof.

[G. David Felt]

In thinking about this, I think GM could do more with staying Focused on their own Duramax Diesel Line than to bother with this garbage company.

[hyperv6]

The Peugeot oil burners are well know and respected. I remember my neighbors grandfather had one and drove it for years. He had one of the only ones in this part of Ohio since they were not sold here.

In the past few years their Diesel racing program has brought wins with a V12 at Lemans and Sebring over the Mighty Audi team.

It is hard to say what these talks are about as it could be something as simple as a joint deal on taking the Peugeot engine technology and letting GM build them in greater numbers in their plants. It would reduce production cost for both and give GM some advanced technology. Otherwise I am unaware of anything GM would want from them unless Peugeot would want something from GM.

[AAS]

Word is that PSA, Peugeot & Citroën's entered the meeting with a white flag wanting to surrender.

I see little Peugeot could offer GM other than Diesel, a world rally car and a old F1 car. Their street cars suck for quailty and styling. Only the French and 3rd world countries seem to love them. Even the Armenians won't steal them.

Hey, hold on... what's with throwing Armenians into this?

(As one, it's just funny to see Armenians referenced on C&G.)

[Robert Hall]

Citroen certainly has a flair for design...as far hardware, will be interesting to see what transpires...

[G. David Felt]

Word is that PSA, Peugeot & Citroën's entered the meeting with a white flag wanting to surrender.

I see little Peugeot could offer GM other than Diesel, a world rally car and a old F1 car. Their street cars suck for quailty and styling. Only the French and 3rd world countries seem to love them. Even the Armenians won't steal them.

Hey, hold on... what's with throwing Armenians into this?

(As one, it's just funny to see Armenians referenced on C&G.)

Guess he was wanting to test if any Armenians were listening!

Or maybe they are the new Polish Joke, but otherwise I am also interested in where it came from as it came out of way left field in regards to the thread.

Do Armenians steel allot of auto's in Europe?

[hyperv6]

I guess everyone missed the Top Gear where they went there to test cars.

They pointed out most stolen BMW and Benz in Europe end up there. The guys had three cars. A Benz, BMW and a Yuqo If I recall. They did test like how easy was it to put a dead body in the trunk. The Yugo did not do well with the large Armenian who stood in for the dead body.

I guess the Russian Mafia is very powerful there. Them not stealing Peugeots is really showing they have standards.

If you ever catch this episode it is one of their better ones.

[Robert Hall]

I remember that episode...couldn't recall if it was Armenia or Bulgaria that they went to...the Yugo was a substitute for a Bentley, IIRC.

[AAS]

I guess everyone missed the Top Gear where they went there to test cars.

They pointed out most stolen BMW and Benz in Europe end up there. The guys had three cars. A Benz, BMW and a Yuqo If I recall. They did test like how easy was it to put a dead body in the trunk. The Yugo did not do well with the large Armenian who stood in for the dead body.

I guess the Russian Mafia is very powerful there. Them not stealing Peugeots is really showing they have standards.

If you ever catch this episode it is one of their better ones.

Ahhh... I actually have seen that episode (season 16 episode 3, after referring to my TGUK geek friends). Armenia does not equal Albania.

Edited February 23, 2012 by AAS

[hyperv6]

Yes now that I think of it it was Albainia. I had just seen a show on Armenia and it must have stuck in my mind.

Sorry Armenia!!!!

It was a good show.