PSA-GM joint vehicle programs will use French carmaker's platforms

[DOCTOR]

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -- General Motors and alliance partner PSA/Peugeot-Citroen will build all three planned joint vehicle programs on the French automaker's platforms, the companies said today.

PSA CEO Philippe Varin and GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky presented more details of their cooperation plans at a press conference in Brussels. The automakers last year unveiled a broad-based partnership to share development costs and cut European losses.

A future generation of small cars such as the Opel Corsa and Citroen C3 will be based on a PSA vehicle platform, the companies said.

PSA will also develop a family of minivans/crossovers to replace its Peugeot 3008 and the Opel Zafira, while GM will draw up successors to the Opel Meriva, Citroen C3 Picasso minivans and Peugeot 2008 crossover. Both vehicle categories will use PSA platforms.

The first vehicles from the shared development programs are due in 2016.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/2013...#ixzz2ItkRvfDN

[nadepalma]

Not exactly sure how using only PSA-derived platforms for joint projects fits with the original idea of the alliance. I thought they were supposed to co-develop them together. Unless PSA will exclusively use O/V's D-segment, crossover, and C-segment platforms, I can't see how this would work and not impact morale in Russelheim.

As a side note, for all the denial that there would be some sort of a merger between PSA and O/V, this seems to suggest that if it were happen at some point, the already integrated platforms would make the job that much easier.

In addition, I'd like to see how the rest of GM's outfits work into this arrangement, if at all. GM has been on the mantra of saving money by sharing platforms, engines, etc. Opel was/is a center of excellence for many of GM's products. If O/V is going to use French platforms for a slate of future products, does that mean that the rest of GM will use them as well or that GM will have to develop future resources without O/V's input? Also, unles something is reciprocated and PSA uses some O/V's platforms exclusively, it's going to be tough for GM to stick to their promise of producing some Chevrolet products in Opel factories to make up for excess capacity.

[GMJoe]

PSA has some very good platforms and nicely designed small vehicles.I think, overall, this alliance will be a plus for Opel and GM.

[syr74]

Alright, it finally all gels with this info assuming it's accurate. GM gets to take a stab at remaking Opel into a profitable brand again despite an ailing European market, and will do so on the cheap because PSA is the one with most of the real commitment. In fact, this makes it appear that GM gets the new product they want and less real commitment (engineering, manpower, manufacturing) than they have now for their trouble. Of course, if it all falls down PSA is going to be the one left holding the bag.

[lkimura]

Here's more. Could be GM is interested in a compressed air hybrid system PSA and Bosch are developing.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...r-gm-likely-to

[dederer]

It seams like a reduction in Opel's engineering department but keeping most of Opel's Manufacturing. The plants sold to GM will build Chevy's and parts.

[avinarf]

With the Zafira going to a PSA platform, does this mean Delta 3 is going to be full independent...?

[sfbreh]

My assumption that this is good for GM seems too good to be true... It sounds from the title as if it's entirely a PSA platform, and GM has no financial stake in the engineering. Then it says the platform is jointly-developed...

Also, is it just me, or does it seem silly to do this when one company would reduce costs even further than two working together?

[syr74]

My assumption that this is good for GM seems too good to be true... It sounds from the title as if it's entirely a PSA platform, and GM has no financial stake in the engineering. Then it says the platform is jointly-developed...

Also, is it just me, or does it seem silly to do this when one company would reduce costs even further than two working together?

As written it only makes sense if PSA is really, really desperate....but then they may well be. Remember that PSA walked away from what may be the most successful modern engine co-development program of the modern era to make this deal, given that it would seem logical to assume that either huge potential benefit, serious desperation, or a combination of the two pushed them toward this decision. That said, this is the first explanation for why this marriage happened/works that passes the sniff tests, so I'm genuinely wondering if it is true. On the flip side, for those who insisted that GM would never consider sticking it to somebody else for their own benefit like Mercedes did with Chrysler, if this scenario proves to be reality then GM is saying that they would potentially be willing to do exactly that. So yeah, if this holds water it is good for GM likely no matter how the story ends, but it also says something about their business ethic.

[jpd80]

Mind you $8 billion investment for a socialist government may hav has some strings attached in the form of increasing
production and scales of economy, perhaps an alliance is something PSA can present to the french government as
proof that supporting the company was right...

Is GM being offered an exciting carrot for the benefit of both companies
or are we missing something that's not quite obvious?

How would this effect developments at Opel considering GM is looking at
winding back production?

[StevePonBuiOlds]

No because GM bought stock that has lost a massive amount of value. They basically bought into the project. In addition, GM will be contributing other platforms for SUVs. I'm wondering if these PSA platforms will end up over at Chevy

[AMERICA 123]

Here's more. Could be GM is interested in a compressed air hybrid system PSA and Bosch are developing.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...r-gm-likely-to

- it's not just about platform sharing.

This is..... or could really be a great thing for all involved.

[dreese_us]

I don't see this as being good! Makes it that much easier for GM to walk away from Opel and the joint venture. No need to worry about intellectual property rights with this move.

[richmond2000]

I assume the Opel cars / MPV's being "shared" are EU ONLY for the most part and how good is the current Opel / PSA ones in comparison OR maybe GM is supplying Power trains or Electronic controls in exchange for PSA small chassis?

[Ruperts Trooper]

The current Opel/Vauxhall Meriva uses the GM/Fiat SCCS platform so they're just moving from one manufacturing alliance to another.

Moving the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira away from a GM platform, Delta II shared with Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet, does seem strange and begs the question whether Astra etc will also be moved onto a PSA platform.

Will the Epsilon II be the only GM platform in Europe or will the Insignia be put on a PSA platform as well?