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| PEUGEOT PETE'S COLUMN
PSA Peugeot-Citroën 1995-2001
by Peugeot Pete1995 - 2000 HEADING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Peugeot reinforces its position thanks to the 206 and 607 and confirms its leadership in the diesel stakes with the HDI particle-filter engine. 1995 Change of Formula 1 partnership with a move to Jordan and the new V10 3 litre engine. PSA unveils the Tulip concept car, a small city mini MPV, which comes with an infrastructure and distribution/rental system based on the experience gained in La Rochelle. The millionth 106 rolls off the Mulhouse assembly line at the same time as the 100,000th uni-body 806 leaves Sevel Nord. In October comes the launch of the 406 (945,668 units to end 1999), a new mid-range saloon to replace the 405, which is built in Sochaux. Peugeot becomes French 2-litre rally champion with the 306 Maxi. Peugeot Motorcycles launches the 4x4 two-wheeler with the new Squab scooter. Slogan Peugeot's newest: For the ride of your life. The DS celebrates its 40th anniversary at the Pantin Centre International de l'Automobile. Launch of the Peugeot marquee's corporate site: www.peugeot.com. Peugeot teams up with Jordan in Formula One racing. Citroen wins the manufacturers' World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies and Pierre Lartigue takes the drivers' title. The Wuhan site in China is inaugurated as its one-thousandth ZX Fukang rolls off the assembly line. Launches the Peugeot 406, the 106 Electric, the Expert, the Citroen Xantia Activa, the AX Electric, the Jumpy.
The group's annual output: 1,887,900 vehicles 1996 Production of the 306 at the Poissy factory reaches the one million figure, 33 months after its launch, thus beating the 205 which took 34 months to reach that magic figure. In July, launch of the new commercial vehicle jointly researched with Citroen. It's the Peugeot Partner (261,962 units to end 1999) and Citroen Berlingo built in Vigo in Spain. In October at the Paris World Motor Show, introduction of two concept cars: the Asphalte, which is a roadster with a motor-bike rear, and the Touareg, an electric-powered 4x4. Once again, Citroen wins the manufacturers' World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies and Pierre Lartigue wins the drivers' title. Peugeot wins the WRC (World Rally Championship) in the 2-liter category with the 306 Maxi. Jacques Calvet, President of Automobiles Peugeot, is elected President of ACEA (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers). Following a year of trials in Strasbourg, Peugeot Motorcycles launches the first electric scooter, the Scootelec. The group expands production in Uruguay, and the Proton Tiara--the AX for the local market--is launched in Malaysia. For the industrial launch of the Berlingo and Partner, the equipment at the Vigo plant in Spain is upgraded and the unit is made more flexible, bringing its capacity to 100,000 vehicles a year. PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault inaugurate the permanent Automobile exhibition at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris and launch a new V6 engine together. PSA Peugeot Citroen commits itself to lowering carbon dioxide emissions, which are responsible for the greenhouse effect. Launch of the PSA Peugeot Citroen corporate web site, www.psa.fr. Launches the Citroen Saxo, the Saxo Electrique, the 406 estate.
The group's annual output: 1,979,000 vehicles 1997 On 14 February, Jacques Calvet and Alain Prost, owner of the Prost Grand Prix stable, sign a partnership deal for the Formula 1 World Championships from 1998 onwards. Peugeot undertakes to supply V10 engines for three years. In March, Peugeot is the first French car-maker to adopt hydro-soluble paint technology. This pollution-reducing technology goes into use in its new paint shop in Poissy. To meet the demands of the success of the new 106, an assembly line is installed in Sochaux and production starts there in April, running parallel to the Mulhouse line. In May, launch of the 406 coupé designed by Pininfarina and built in their workshops in Turin. It is unanimously hailed as the most beautiful French car. At the out-set, first year sales of 15,000 were forecast but, in fact, over 23,000 were sold. On 30 September, Jacques Calvet, with the company since 1982 and President since 1984, retires from PSA. He is succeeded at the top of PSA Peugeot-Citroen by Jean-Martin Folz with effect from 1 October. In October, Peugeot unveils the 206 at the Paris World Motor Show. Laurent Aiello wins the German super tourism championship at the wheel of his 406, while Gilles and Hervé Panizzi are French rally champions for the second year in a row at the wheel of their 306 Maxi. Plans are put in place to make a world-scale equipment manufacturer out of Faurecia, a company created as a result of the merger between Bertrand Faure and ECIA (Équipements et Composants pour l'Industrie Automobile), in which Peugeot holds a 51 % shareholding. PSA Peugeot Citroen and its Liselec partners launch self-service electric cars in La Rochelle. Launch of the Citroen corporate web site: www.citroen.com. Citroen organizes the Berlingo Raid: 137 teams of young Europeans cover 1.1 million kilometers between Paris and Moscow. Fifth World Championship victory: since 1990, the ZX Rallye Raid has come out on top in 36 out of 42 events! Launches the Peugeot 306 estate, LPG version of the 406 bi-carburation, the 406 coupe designed by Pininfarina, the Citroen Berlingo Multispace, the Xantia LPG version, the Xsara.
The group's annual output: 2,078,000 vehicles 1998 In January, Jean-Martin Folz, Chairman of the Managing Board, presents plans to reorganize the automobile activities of PSA Peugeot Citroen, with three objectives: innovation, increased sales and profitability. PSA Peugeot Citroen announces the creation of a new production unit in Porto Real, Brazil. Production volume there will gradually reach 70,000 vehicles a year in the first stage, and eventually climb to 100,000 vehicles, starting with the Xsara Picasso and 206 (715,905 units to end 1999). The facility represents an investment of approximately US$600 million. PSA Peugeot Citroen presents its High-pressure Direct Injection (HDi) engine employing the common rail system, which is extended to all the Peugeot and Citroen ranges. End of a friendly takeover bid by ECIA for the components manufacturer Bertrand Faure. The new entity, named Faurecia, is more than 50% owned by PSA Peugeot Citroen. Peugeot creates the first carbon sink in Brazil in a program to plant 10 million trees to fight the greenhouse effect. Peugeot announces its return to the WRC (World Rally Championships) with the 206 WRC. Citroen wins the French and Spanish Rally Championships with the Xsara Kit Car.
André Citroen is the first Frenchman to enter the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan. Launches the Peugeot 206, the Partner Electric, the Citroen Xsara coupe, the Xsara estate, the Berlingo electric.
The group's annual output: 2,247,000 vehicles 1999 PSA Peugeot Citroen presents the particulate-filter system which becomes standard on the 607. Peugeot and Citroen launch the Secoia program of component collection and reconditioning. Peugeot plants 2,000 trees in the Bouches du Rhône region. The Peugeot customer contact center is set up to handle 3 million calls a year. PSA Peugeot Citroen and Ford Motor Company sign a new agreement on diesel engines. The Rennes-la-Barre-Thomas plant, the Sogamm and the SAMM subsidiaries are sold. Laying of the first stone for the Peugeot Citroen do Brasil production unit in Porto Real. Peugeot signs an agreement for eventual production of 120,000 Peugeot 206s a year in Iran. The 406 wins the South American Super Touring Championship, and the 206 WRC wins the San Remo rally. Citroen again wins the French and Spanish Rally Championships. The DS is named Product of the Century, and Citroen beats its own record, selling more than a million vehicles in 1999. Launches the Peugeot 306 LGP, the 206 S16 and GT, the restyled 406; the Citroen Xsara coupe VTR and the restyled Saxo.
The group's annual output: 2,515,000 vehicles 2000 PSA Peugeot Citroen introduces its HPI high-pressure, direct-injection, gas engine. PSA Peugeot Citroen and Ford Motor Company announce their cooperation in the field of automotive telematics in Europe. PSA Peugeot Citroen and IBM present a prototype of the networked Citroen Xsara Picasso at the Paris Auto Show. PSA Peugeot Citroen launches the City in Motion Institute. Taking a combined scientific and practical approach, it is a meeting place for city planners, city managers and city dwellers. The group's five-thousandth electric car is produced. PSA Peugeot Citroen is a pioneer in this technology. PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault create a joint organization to study the psychology of driver behavior. Sevel Argentina becomes Peugeot Citroen Argentina. Peugeot Otomotiv Pazarlama As is born in Turkey, while Peugeot Automobile Nigeria celebrates its 25th anniversary and 500,000 vehicles produced. Citroen joins with Saipa to manufacture the Xantia in Iran and with Doninvest to produce the Berlingo in Russia. Plans are made to sell the Dijon and Saint-Etienne plants to Koyo. Peugeot Avenue is aimed at dominating the most prestigious streets of the world's major capitals, beginning with Berlin (Unter den Linden) and Paris (Champs-Elysées). Peugeot announces its withdrawal from Formula One racing and the end of its partnership with Prost Grand Prix. It gets involved the World Rally Champion for drivers and manufacturers with the 206 WRC. Citroen wins the French Rally Championship with the Xsara T4, as well as the Spanish Rally and Manufacturers Championship and becomes European Champion with the Xsara WRC. Launches the Citroen Xsara Picasso, the Peugeot 607—the group's first vehicle equipped with a particulate filter—, the 206 CC, the restyled Xsara. Citroen unveils the C5, its future top-of-the-line sedan, at the Paris Auto Show.
The group's annual output: 2,877,900 vehicles 2001 PSA Peugeot Citroen inaugurates its Porto Real plant, located in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The new facility, with annual output of 100,000 vehicles, produces the Xsara Picasso and the Peugeot 206. PSA Peugeot Citroen extends its cooperation with Dong Feng Motors in China to include the production and sale of new Peugeot and Citroen models. Citroen now manufactures the Xsara Picasso at the Wuhan production facility in China. PSA Peugeot Citroen and the Ford Motor Company unveil their first jointly developed 1.4 liter direct-injection diesel engine. The HDi 1.4 and Duratorq TDCi 1.4 engines will be offered in versions covering several performance levels, with power output of 60 to 92 hp. PSA Peugeot Citroen and Toyota sign a cooperation agreement to co-develop and produce small entry-level vehicles intended mainly for the European market. Production will begin in 2005 in Kolin, Czech Republic. PSA Peugeot Citroen presents its fuel cell demonstrators and its alternative energy strategy. ISO 14001 certification is received for the Group's facilities in Poissy, Aulnay and Trémery, France; Madrid, Spain and Buenos Aires, Argentina, as well as for its Française de Mécanique joint venture. The Group publishes its 2001 Environmental Report. PSA Peugeot Citroen signs two framework agreements on fuel cells with France's Scientific Research Center (CNRS) and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). The Rennes site celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Vigo, Spain plant rolls out its 6,000,000th vehicle and the Metz facility produces its 25,000,000th gear box. PSA Peugeot Citroen joins Covisint, the global automotive e-business trade exchange, and creates a dedicated PSA Suppliers portal. Citroen launches Le Conservatoire, a showcase of the marque's heritage, near Aulnay, France. The center presents more than 300 Citroen models, a large amount of documentation and memorabilia directly linked to the marque's history. Peugeot wins the Manufacturers' Title in the WRC (World Rally Championship). Citroen is again crowned French Rally Champion with the Xsara Kit Car and brings home the Spanish Championship for the third year in a row. Kenneth Hansen wins the European Rallycross Championship with the Xsara WRC. Jean-Martin Folz, Chairman of the Managing Board, is named Manager of the Year by France's Nouvel Economiste and Businessman of the Year by Forbes. The Citroen C5 executive model and station wagon and Peugeot 307 are launched. The 307 wins a number of awards, including European Car of the Year 2002.
Annual PSA Peugeot Citroen output: 3,136,000 vehicles Compiled and Authored by
PEUGEOT PETE
peugpete@aol.com
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