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PSA Peugeot Citroen Becomes Groupe PSA, Plans Global Campaign with 26-Car Range

Citroen C4 Cactus, Peugeot 2008 and DS5 1 photo
Photo: Groupe PSA
The French group that controls the Peugeot, Citroen, and DS brands has decided to change its name to Groupe PSA. The newly named company has a new logo, and it has plans to increase its operating profit by the year 2021.

Along with these changes and plans, the French at Groupe PSA want to ensure “profitable organic growth,” which will be fueled by “a global product and technology offensive.

The global assault mentioned by Carlos Tavares, the group’s CEO, could be interpreted as a return to the U.S. market.

After all, the United States of America is the world’s second largest car market and Groupe PSA, Europe’s second carmaker regarding volume, is not present there.

On the other hand, their direct rivals from Renault are not present in the USA either, but their alliance partners at Nissan have a robust market on the North American continent.

Citroen withdrew itself from the U.S. market in 1974, while Peugeot left the USA in 1991. Both brands are almost unknown in the country following this prolonged absence, but the French automaker has a few ideas on its return to the States. According to insiders quoted by Automobile Mag, Groupe PSA is expected to come to the USA with just its DS branch.

The DS brand is a premium spin-off from the standard Citroen range, and features models with exclusive design and features, along with dedicated materials and personalization options. The source mentioned by Automobile Mag predicts that April 5, 2016 will be the day when the French automaker will announce a return to the USA, but their press release does not mention this.

However, they do speak of global ambitions. Since Groupe PSA is present in Europe, China, Middle East, Australia, Africa, and South America, the North American market would be the last step to ensure they can tick the “global” part of their offensive.

Since Groupe PSA has gone through a massive restructuring process, it will be interesting to see how this company will fund its US expansion. After all, opening dealerships and paying for government homologation procedures is a costly process. Do it too fast and you might not make money and be forced to retire. If you approach the US market slowly, sales might subpar, and the entire distribution chain could fall apart.
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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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