Photo: Toyota
On a faithful day in 2001, Toyota and PSA Peugeot Citroen decided to combine their know-how to develop a versatile city car. Thus, the Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107, and Citroen C1 were born in 2005. Now at their second generation, the A-segment city dwellers are funkier than ever. But be that as it may, a recently published report suggests that a change of heart is in the offing.
Johan van Zyl, the CEO of Toyota Europe, told Auto Express that the third-gen Aygo could steer away from its brethren to become an EV. “We already have some electric vehicles undergoing trials here in Europe - short-range, inner-city transport," declared van Zyl. “EVs will be part of that,” he added.
In addition to this, the official was asked if the new Aygo will get some sort of electrification. “Yes, that’s going to be very interesting. Will people use vehicles which will completely emissions-free in certain areas? We see a stronger growth of that type of thinking in cities where they’re saying, ‘We’d rather have emissions-free vehicles so it should be a plug-in or a pure-electric vehicle.’” It’s rather clear, then, that Toyota is definitely up to something.
Toyota’s Gerald Killman, the head of research & development at the carmaker’s European arm, adds fuel to the fire: “Clearly we do see the possibility for battery-electric vehicles there [in the Aygo]... but yes, we are developing it.” If Toyota is set on this course of action, what will happen to Peugeot and Citroen? Will the 108 and the C1 follow the Aygo's lead?
PSA is interested in green tech as well, but the carmaker didn’t say if it’s planning on ditching the three-cylinder engine in the 108 and C1 for an electric motor. Citroen head honcho Linda Jackson puts its best: “[...] having a small urban-type mobility vehicle that’s electric makes sense.”
If the future is indeed electric for Toyota’s and PSA’s small cars, then it’s very likely that the Japanese-French venture will cooperate on electric powertrains. The cost for development is extraordinary, especially for vehicles with small profit margins such as the Aygo, 108, and C1. Thus, my humble opinion is that the electrification trend will bring Toyota and Groupe PSA closer still.
In addition to this, the official was asked if the new Aygo will get some sort of electrification. “Yes, that’s going to be very interesting. Will people use vehicles which will completely emissions-free in certain areas? We see a stronger growth of that type of thinking in cities where they’re saying, ‘We’d rather have emissions-free vehicles so it should be a plug-in or a pure-electric vehicle.’” It’s rather clear, then, that Toyota is definitely up to something.
Toyota’s Gerald Killman, the head of research & development at the carmaker’s European arm, adds fuel to the fire: “Clearly we do see the possibility for battery-electric vehicles there [in the Aygo]... but yes, we are developing it.” If Toyota is set on this course of action, what will happen to Peugeot and Citroen? Will the 108 and the C1 follow the Aygo's lead?
PSA is interested in green tech as well, but the carmaker didn’t say if it’s planning on ditching the three-cylinder engine in the 108 and C1 for an electric motor. Citroen head honcho Linda Jackson puts its best: “[...] having a small urban-type mobility vehicle that’s electric makes sense.”
If the future is indeed electric for Toyota’s and PSA’s small cars, then it’s very likely that the Japanese-French venture will cooperate on electric powertrains. The cost for development is extraordinary, especially for vehicles with small profit margins such as the Aygo, 108, and C1. Thus, my humble opinion is that the electrification trend will bring Toyota and Groupe PSA closer still.
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