Groupe PSA: New record set in 2018 at 3.9M units with worldwide sales up 6.8%

• Sales increase for the 5th year in a row with improved pricing power, in a context of economic and geopolitical headwinds
• Core Model strategy as a trigger: success of new launches and European leadership in Light Commercial Vehicles

This profitable growth, reaching circa 3.878.000 units, has been leveraged by Groupe PSA product offensive in motion with more than 70 regional launches in 2 years, customer driven Core Model Strategy deployment and commercial network commitment.

• Groupe PSA products have been on all short final lists of prestigious automotive contests every year since 2014 and have been awarded this year “Van of the Year IVOTY 2019” (Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo Van, Opel/Vauxhall Combo) and ‘Best Buy Car of Europe 2019’ AUTOBEST (Citroën Berlingo Van, Opel/Vauxhall Combo Life and Peugeot Rifter), following Citroën C3 Aircross last year.

• Groupe PSA Core technology has also been awarded with the International Engine of the Year prize for the 4^th year in a row for its Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine (110 and 130 hp).

• Groupe PSA SUV models are particularly successful, driven by the Peugeot 2008, 3008 [1], 5008 (leader in Europe), Citroën C3 Aircross[2], C3-XR, C5 Aircross, DS 7 Crossback, Opel/Vauxhall Crossland X, Mokka X, and Grandland X. The momentum will continue in 2019 with major launches for all brands.

• The Group announced its electrification offensive for all brands, with first PHEV [3] and EV [4] models available for customers in 2019, starting with the DS brand.

Groupe PSA achieves new record LCV sales:  564 147 vehicles sold, + 18.3%.

• Groupe PSA renewed its range of compact vans in 2016 and of B-LCV in 2018 and has consolidated its leading position in Europe in every sub-segments, grasping almost 1 out of 4 LCV customers.

• The Group’s LCV offensive has set the basis for overseas growth with the successful launch of production of Peugeot Expert and Citroën Jumpy in Eurasia and the very promising start of our comprehensive range of LCV products and services for Latin American clients.

Europe [5]: Change of scale with 17.1% market share.

Groupe PSA took full advantage of its perfectly managed new WLTP standard implementation phase to gain a competitive edge in the last four months of the year. Group market share reaches 17.1% by end 2018, up +3.8 pt, underpinned by Peugeot and Citroën brands that are the best progressing brands in 2018, with almost +5% sales increase for both brands among the top 10 brands in Europe.

Peugeot stands out for its success: SUV European leader, number 1 in Spain, number 1 in France on B2C and B2B passenger cars. Citroën reaches its best level of sales in 7 years.

DS Automobiles marks a breakthrough with 6.7% of sales increase, supported by DS7 Crossback launch. Opel/Vauxhall is continuing its product offensive driven by the X family.

Groupe PSA exceeds market performance and is improving in all main markets: France (+2.6 pt), Spain (+4.2 pt), Italy (+3.9 pt), Great Britain (+4.8 pt), Germany (+3.7 pt).

Middle East – Africa: the Group remains offensive in a chaotic regional context.

Despite strong headwinds mainly due to wind down in Iran[6] and Turkish market downturn, Groupe PSA market share increased in Morocco (+1.7pt), Tunisia (+1pt) and Egypt (+3.1pt) and the Group remains market leader in French Overseas Departments.

The regional industrial footprint is under deployment to become operational in 2019 with the start of production of Kenitra plant in Morocco, as a key milestone.

China & South East Asia: Groupe PSA works to overcome China situation and prepares its commercial offensive in  South East Asia.

In a declining Chinese passenger vehicle market (-2%), sales are down 34.2%. The Group is working on action plans with its partners to tackle current issues. The Group is implementing its electrification strategy with the Fukang brand, followed by PCD [7] electrified models from 2019 onwards. Moreover the core model strategy is under execution to propose a product offering designed for Chinese clients.

Sales in South East Asia doubled versus 2017, amounting to 10,882 vehicles. The joint venture with Naza Corporation Holdings (Malaysia) will start delivering its first productions in 2019 with the Peugeot 3008 and 5008.

Latin America: the drop in sales is largely linked to the strong decline of the Argentinian market (-32% in H2) related to the country’s economic context, with a significant exchange rate impact and a difficult Brazilian market, while sales remain well oriented in the Pan-American zone (54,887 units, +13,3%) – composed mainly by Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador.

The launch of the new C4 Cactus SUV industrialized in the region, is encouraging. The local manufacturing of the LCV range is in process (launch of the Jumpy MiniBus version, Berlingo, Boxer and Jumper in Brazil, Jumpy and Expert Crewcab in Argentina and the electric Partner in Chile and Uruguay).

India-Pacific: sales growth is notably driven by the Group successful business in Japan (+9.6%). The manufacturing project in India, developed in partnership with the CK Birla Group, is on track.

Eurasia: stable sales. Sales increase notably in Ukraine (+7%). The good dynamic of Peugeot 3008, C4 Sedan and the newly produced LCVs in Kaluga since April (Peugeot Expert and Citroën Jumpy) are encouraging.

“In an increasingly unstable environment, we thrived with the rigorous execution of our efficient core model strategy. The product appeal to our B2B or B2C customers supports our pricing power policy for all of our brands, while we are currently implementing our electrified offensive. Agility and Darwinian spirit are more than ever important to tackle forthcoming challenges and enhance our customer satisfaction” comments Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of Groupe PSA.

[1] Peugeot 4008 in China

[2] C4 Aircross in China

[3] PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

[4] EV : Electric Vehicle

[5] PCDOV figures

[6] Iran: Volumes industrialized in Iran are not more recorded in consolidated sales since May 1st 2018

[7] PCD: Peugeot Citroën DS

New Opel Zafira Life: The Benchmark Enters its Fourth Generation

• Opel’s next generation multi-purpose passenger car
• One model, three sizes, each with up to nine seats
• Bold design and balanced proportions
• Lounge comfort with movable leather seats and panorama roof
• Sliding doors open electrically in seconds via foot-movement
• World premiere at Brussels Motor Show on January 18, 2019, for order in February
• Opel Zafira Life all-electric version follows in 2021

New Opel Zafira Life

Attractive, flexible and practical vans are named Zafira. Twenty years after the success began with the first generation, the story is now continuing with a newly developed fourth-generation model. The Opel Zafira Life is a fun-to-drive as well as comfortable multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that the German carmaker will offer in three lengths, tailor-made to customer requirements: the 4.60 metre “Small”, the 4.95 m “Medium” and the 5.30 m “Large” – each of which comes with up to nine seats. The “S” version of the Zafira Life is about ten centimetres shorter than the current Zafira, while the “L” is around 65 cm longer and therefore nearly as big as the Opel Vivaro Combi passenger van. Opel Zafira Life thus covers up to three vehicle segments and represents a new benchmark among multi-seat MPVs.

Opel Zafira Life meets all demands – from the versatile interiors, high comfort and sophisticated driver assistance systems, to state-of-the-art infotainment, head-up display, camera and radar-based active cruise control. The advanced technology is paired with a bold look, balanced proportions, short overhangs and the typical Opel fascia. Driver and passengers benefit from a two-piece panorama roof and an opening window in the tailgate. The Opel Zafira Life will make its world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show on January 18, 2019 (public days January 19-27, 2019). The order books will open in February.

For the best traction on loose surfaces, the Zafira Life is equipped with the advanced IntelliGrip traction control. A 4x4 version will also be available to order from the start of sales. The all-wheel drive system is supplied by the off-road specialists at Dangel. Opel will offer a purely electric version in early 2021, another milestone on the journey to electrifying the brand.

“With the new Zafira Life, Opel continues to implement the PACE! strategic plan”, says Opel CEO, Michael Lohscheller. “By the end of 2020 we will bring eight all-new or refreshed models onto the market – including the next generation of the bestselling Corsa. We will already open the order books for two electrified models in the first half of 2019: for the all-electric version of the Corsa, which will become a real electric car for everyone, and the Grandland X as a plug-in hybrid. Opel is going electric.”

The company is investing above all in profitable, growing market segments with high volumes. Opel will soon have one of the youngest product portfolios of all volume manufacturers.

One model, three sizes: Opel Zafira Life for every purpose

Opel Zafira Life “Small” competes with compact vans but offers considerably more room and space for up to nine occupants – unrivalled in this class. It also features a small turning circle (11.3 m), good handling and two sensor-controlled sliding doors that open electrically with a movement of the foot, similar to the tailgates of the Astra Sports Tourer and Insignia Sports Tourer – also unique in this market segment. Opel Zafira Life “Medium” (likewise the Opel Zafira Life “L”) has a 35 cm longer, 3.28 m wheelbase and thus more legroom for the rear passengers, which makes it a competitor of midsize vans in the D market segment. Compared with the competition, the Opel also features a larger tailgate and easier access for loading/unloading, plus a higher payload of more than one tonne. Opel Zafira Life “Large”, with a luggage capacity of around 4,500 litres, is a rival for even bigger vans.

Stylish, highly equipped shuttles are in great demand in this market segment. Opel therefore offers leather seats on aluminium rails that allow full and easy adjustment for all versions of the Zafira Life. Five, six, seven or eight leather-seat configurations are available. The folding back of the front passenger seat allows the transportation of objects up to 3.50 m in length. Folding the third row seats increases the luggage capacity of the Zafira Life “S” to 1,500 litres (to roof level). The removal of the rear seats (which are equally easy to reinstall) raises the total cargo capacity to as much as 3,397 litres.

Luxurious “Lounge” trim is available for the long wheelbase versions – in front, seats with massage and electric heating, four movable leather chairs behind, each with a 48 cm wide seat cushion. VIP passengers can thus also sit facing each other and enjoy the legroom. The movable table also folds away to provide additional storage space for small objects. Passengers can charge their mobile devices using the 230 V plug socket.

Most versions of the Opel Zafira Life are less than 1.90 m high and can therefore access typical underground garages – important for use as hotel shuttle.

Under control: Head-Up Display, front collision warning and rear view camera

The new Opel MPV features numerous driver assistance systems. A camera and radar monitor the area in front of the vehicle. The system even recognises pedestrians crossing the road and can initiate an emergency braking manoeuver at speeds up to 30 km/h. The intelligent cruise control adjusts the speed to that of the vehicle in front, automatically decelerates and can reduce the speed to 20 km/h if necessary. Lane-keep assist and drowsiness alert warn drivers if they have spent too much time at the wheel and need a break. High-beam assist, which automatically switches to high or low beam, is activated above 25 km/h. Also unique in this market segment is the colour head-up display that shows speed, distance to the preceding vehicle and navigation.

During the course of 2019, the Zafira Life will also offer the Opel Connect telematics service. Helpful functions, such as Live Navigation with real-time traffic information, direct connection with roadside assistance and emergency call, give the driver and passengers additional peace of mind. Help can be reached within seconds via the red button. If the seatbelt tensioners or the airbags are deployed, the emergency call is activated automatically.

Good all-round visibility is particularly important in larger vehicles, for example in narrow streets or when making turns in urban areas. Ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear bumpers alert the driver to obstacles of every kind when parking. The image from the rear view camera is displayed on the interior mirror or the 7.0-inch screen – the latter with 180-degree visibility from the bird’s eye view.

The large 7.0-inch touchscreen comes with Multimedia and Multimedia Navi infotainment. Both systems feature phone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Multimedia Navi additionally features European navigation with 3D view. Points of interest in large towns are displayed in “Full HD” quality. As an option, the geography along the route on cross-country journeys is shown very realistically. Thanks to Opel Connect, the navigation system includes real time traffic information for the latest status on the roads. A powerful sound system is available with all trim levels. In the top-of-the-line version, passengers enjoy first class acoustics thanks to 10 loudspeakers.

1,111,111th Opel Insignia Delivered to New Customer

• Opel sales and marketing boss, Xavier Duchemin hands over milestone-setting Insignia Sports Tourer to IDE managing director, Thomas Breser
• Second generation of Insignia flagship continues to impress

Opel has set another milestone in sales: the 1,111,111th Opel Insignia was handed over to Thomas Breser, Managing Director, IDE Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH by Xavier Duchemin, Managing Director Sales, Aftersales and Marketing, Opel Automobile GmbH. The Insignia Sports Tourer Business Edition will be driven by IDE engineers.

Xavier Duchemin, accompanied by Patricia Princess of Erbach-Schönberg, Managing Director, Auto Jacob GmbH in Rüsselsheim, said: “The Opel Insignia is the ideal ambassador for any company. Our flagship’s innovative technologies and high comfort make every business trip more pleasant. The big boot offers lots of space, not only for work but also for leisure.”

The Opel Insignia Sports Tourer destined for the IDE fleet is powered by the strong yet economical 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with 125 kW/170 hp with six-speed manual transmission and start/stop (fuel consumption[1], [2]: urban 7.3-6.8 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.7-4.6 l/100 km, combined 5.6-5.4 l/100 km, 148-142 g/km CO2), which already meets the strict Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard. A relaxing drive is ensured by the AGR-certified ergonomic seats and Park Pilot front and rear. The Multimedia Navi infotainment system with seven-inch colour touchscreen – compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – takes care of navigating to the client.

Opel Insignia, popular and successful among customers and experts

In terms of comfort, safety and advanced technology, the Opel Insignia, which is produced in Rüsselsheim, continues the Opel tradition of large flagship models. The first-generation Insignia impressed customers and experts alike. Following the world premiere in London, it was elected “International Car Of The Year 2009”, many other awards followed. By 2017, when 900,000 units had been produced, many more awards had followed.

The all-new Opel Insignia entered the market in spring 2017 as the Grand Sport limousine and the Sports Tourer and Country Tourer estate versions (the latter with class-leading all-wheel drive, including torque vectoring). 

The top-of-the-line model variant is the sporty Insignia GSi with 154 kW/210 hp 2.0-litre BiTurbo diesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission (fuel consumption[3], [4]:urban 9.4 l/100 km, extra-urban 5.8 l/100 km, combined 7.1l/100 km, 188-187 g/km CO2).More than 200,000 units of the second generation have already been produced to date.

Accolades for the Insignia include the “Golden Steering Wheel 2017” in Poland (Auto Świat), Switzerland (Auto Bild) and Slovenia (Auto Bild), as well as “Best Car 2017” (Fleet Cars & Vans, Fleet Auto Premium) in Poland and “Fleet News of the Year” (FLEET Magazine) in the Czech Republic. In 2018 the Insignia was again elected “Family Car Of The Year” in Portugal (Observador), Romania (AUTOpro) and the United Kingdom (Auto Express) and Best Large Family Car in the “Carbuyer Best Car Awards”. The Opel flagship was nominated “Business Sedan of the Year” by Kilometres Enterprise in France and “Autoflotte Top Performer 2018” in Germany. Thanks to its advanced technologies, high comfort and top efficiency, the Insignia has claimed a leading position in its market segment. Fleet-registrations of the Insignia increased by 90.5 percent within 12 months.

Opel’s flagship offers High-Tech and High Comfort

The Opel Insignia is both an efficient company car and a comfortable automobile for long-distance driving and families. Insignia customers benefit from numerous advanced technologies such as IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights and AGR-certified ergonomic seats, while Multimedia Radio and Multimedia Navi infotainment systems ensure state-of-the-art connectivity. Thanks to real-time traffic information, Insignia drivers are guaranteed the latest status of fuel prices and parking-space availability.

[1] WLTP measurements converted to NEDC values for comparison

[2] WLTP combined figures (for information only, not to be confused with official NEDC values):

combined 6.2-5.6 l/100 km, 162-148 g/km CO2

[3] WLTP measurements converted to NEDC values for comparison

[4] WLTP combined figures (for information only, not to be confused with official NEDC values): 8.0-7.6 l/100 km, 209-198 g/km CO2 emissions