FCA and PSA: These are the goals of the merger
OLD KNOWNS The companies FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and PSA (Peugeot, Citroen and Opel) have reached an agreement. After the failed talks with Renault-Nissan, FCA has finally found a partner. It is safe to assume that PSA will take the leading role under the 50:50 arrangement - not least because the French have the more interesting technical portfolio to offer. [...]
It is safe to assume that PSA will take the leading role under the 50:50 arrangement - not least because the French have the more interesting technical portfolio to offer. This includes competitive platforms and powertrains with diesel, gasoline and electric engines.
Even when they took over Opel, the French relaunched a brand that had been stumbling for a long time at record speed.
Tactics in electromobility
Of course, it's not as if Fiat-Chrysler came empty-handed. Yes, there is a development deficit: For years, aging platforms were dragged on and the growing gaps in the program were not filled with in-house developments, but with collaborations like the Fiat 124 derived from the Mazda MX-5.
On the other hand, the wait-and-see approach to electromobility has proven to be a smart move. The losses with the electric cars, which no brand wants, had to be booked by others.
Comeback Lancia under discussion
On the plus side, Fiat-Chrysler offers strong cars in the upper performance and price segments. These include Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Jeep. Perhaps Lancia will also get a future again.
Above all, Fiat-Chrysler has access to the North American market, which Peugeot left almost 30 years ago. The French have only really been able to celebrate real success there in the early 1980s, when the diesel technology they mastered was in high demand.
French self-confidence
The failure in the U.S. has hurt the self-confidence of the French. For many years, PSA has eyed the American market and operated a small representative office there; now a massive re-entry can be made via the strong Chrysler sales network.
Partnership in commercial vehicles
Fiat-Chrysler and PSA know each other well: There has been constant contact between the newlyweds over the years. Especially in the commercial vehicle sector: Since 1978, the joint subsidiary Sevel in southern Italy has been producing the Ducato series of vans and their sister models with the French label.
Headquarters comes to Amsterdam
Incidentally, the automotive wedding is also a win-win for the Netherlands. The new group is to be managed from Amsterdam. For tax reasons, former Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne had moved the company headquarters there.
The coastal country was once known for small cars of the DAF brand. In the future, the world's fourth-largest automotive group will be controlled from there. If the authorities approve. PSA's stake in the Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng could become a stumbling block.
Source: Car Media Portal
group-psa.com
fcagroup.com
