Wednesday, 17 July 2019

Groupe PSA: Worldwide sales at 1.9M units in the first half of 2019

  • Strengthened position in Europe with an increased market share of +0.3pt
  • Start of production at the Kenitra [1] plant to support commercial offensive in Middle East & Africa
  • Ongoing electrification on the launch pad with 9 [2] electrified models




Despite the decline of the global automotive markets for this first half, our commercial teams have managed to increase market shares in several countries, especially in Europe and Africa. Rigorous deployment of our Core Model and Core Techno strategies is decisive asset to manage profitable sales and enhance customer satisfaction.» says Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Groupe PSA Managing Board.

Electrification offensive is mastered with the aim to have a 100% electrified [3] range from 2025

All-electric: New Opel Corsa-e 


Groupe PSA aims to be a major player in electrified mobility with all new models coming in a hybrid plug-in or an all-electric version : DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE, Peugeot e-208 and e-2008 and Opel Corsa-e in 100% electric version, and DS 7 CROSSBACK E-TENSE 4X4, Peugeot 3008 HYbrid & HYbrid4, Peugeot 508 & 508 SW HYbrid, Opel Grandland X Hybrid4 and Citroën C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid in hybrid plug-in version.

New Opel Grandland X Hybrid4

Groupe PSA is also preparing a full electrified LCV range by 2025, starting with Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner, already available in an electric version. New electrified generation of these vehicles for Peugeot, Citroën and Opel/Vauxhall will be available by 2021. Group presented last April a preview of the electrified versions of Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Jumper at the Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show. It also announced an electrified version for 2020 in the medium van segment.

Fourteen new electrified vehicles will be launched in just two years.

Europe: profitable growth




In a declining market over the first half year (-2.4%), the Group strengthened its position by achieving a 17.4% market share, growing in all main markets, particularly in Italy (+1.1pts), France (+0.7pt), the United Kingdom (+0.2pt), Germany (+0.1pt), and Spain (+0.1pt).



Performance is driven by the excellent results of Citroën, which has achieved an eight-year sales record with the strongest growth within the Top 12 brands. As a result, the brand has gained 0.3 point in market share in Europe, thanks in particular to the success of its SUV range (C5 Aircross and C3 Aircross).



Opel / Vauxhall has continued its development since last autumn and grew slightly its market share. This market share grew among other markets in France (0.2 pt), UK (+0.2 pt) and Italy (+0.7 pt), while the brand at the same time kept its focus on the deployment of profitable sales. Combo, Crossland X, Grandland X carry most of this performance and Opel / Vauxhall will benefit from the launch of the new Corsa in the second half of the year.



Peugeot market share is stable in Europe. Beyond the continuous success of its SUVs 3008/5008, Peugeot is also progressing well thanks to the award-winning 508 family with the launch of the new 508 SW: 508 sedan is 1st in France since its launch. Peugeot also beats its previous LCV sales record in the 1st semester.

DS Automobiles confirms the brand's sustainable growth (+1.7% vs 2018 H1, and +16% in Q2 vs 2018 Q2) with DS 7 CROSSBACK - leader in SUV Premium in France during the first half - and DS 3 CROSSBACK, launched in May in France and number 1 in terms of registrations of premium SUVs in June in France.

Groupe PSA is also maintaining its leadership in LCVs with a 24.7% market share.

Middle East – Africa: operational industrial footprint

Groupe PSA market share increased in its main markets: Morocco (+4.7pts), Egypt (+3.5pts), Algeria (+2.7pts) and Turkey (+0.5pt). The evolution of sales is impacted by the wind down from Iran [4] and the Turkish market (-44.8%) downturn.


With the start of production at the Kenitra plant in Morocco, the Group will be able to produce models that meet customers’ expectations and achieve its commercial ambitions in the region.

China & South East Asia: improving business model in China

In a declining Chinese market, sales are down 62.1%. DS maintained its market shares. The Group is working on action plans with its partners to tackle current issues and lower the breakeven point of the JVs.

Electric offensive is underway with the launch of Peugeot 508L PHEV, as well as BEV Peugeot 2008 and DS 3 CROSSBACK in 2020.

Exports from the Malaysian hub NAM [5] are now starting for Peugeot 3008 and 5008

Latin America: headwinds in Argentina

Group sales have decreased by 29.3% in Latin America with a strong hit of Argentinean market downturn (-50.3%). However, the group stabilized its market share in Brazil driven by the success of the SUV C4 Cactus and the LCV offensive. It has maintained its position in Chile and improved in Mexico in decreasing markets. Opel made a strong progress in the region increasing its market share.

Some encouraging trend results from the success of SUV models and recent launches: Citroën C5 Aircross and Peugeot 2008 and completed by Citroën C4, Peugeot Rifter and soon DS 3 CROSSBACK. LCV offensive is also ongoing with the recent launches of the new Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo and Opel Combo.


India-Pacific: sales growth (+2.3%)

Recurring success of the Group in Japan continues with sales up 16%. Groupe PSA achieved another milestone by announcing in April the launch of the Citroën brand in India and starting the production of gearboxes (Hosur plant) with its partner AVTEC Ltd (a CK Birla Group Co.).

Eurasia: prepare the relaunch of the Opel brand

New Opel Zafira Life
Facing a downward trend of the Russian market (-2.4%), Groupe PSA market share is slightly declining (-0.2pt). Group is launching DS Automobiles in Ukraine with the first DS Store to open in July. Group is also preparing the relaunch of the Opel brand in Russia starting with the Zafira Life and the Grandland X, first models to be available in few months.


Opel Grandland X


[1] In Morocco

[2] 4 BEV : DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE + e-208 + e-2008 + Corsa-e and 5 PHEV : 3008 HYbrid & HYbrid4 + 508 & 508 SW HYbrid + Grandland Hybrid4 + DS 7 CROSSBACK E-TENSE 4x4 + Citroën C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid

[3] Full Electric or plug-in hybrid

[4]Volumes industrialized in Iran are no longer recorded in consolidated sales since May 1st 2018

[5] Naza Automotive Manufacturing

Monday, 8 July 2019

PSA Retail opens two Opel points of sale in Cologne, German first, as part of a wider European strategy

PSA Retail, the distribution subsidiary of Groupe PSA, is opening one new Opel site in Cologne today, namely at Raderberggürtel, and will open a second outlet on the Widdersdorfer Strasse.

Opel - PSA Retail in Cologne


With the Raderberggürtel site, PSA Retail will close a former gap for the Opel brand in the Cologne area.

The installation of PSA Retail in Cologne is part of a wider move by the Groupe PSA subsidiary to fulfil its ambition of quickly entering into the circle of the top five distributors of the brand with the lightning-bolt badge in Europe and to contribute to the continued success of the PACE! plan.

To succeed in achieving this ambitious goal, the German market is key. With this in view, the German-first Opel-PSA Retail opening embeds itself in a wider Opel brand, European Business Development strategy, of PSA Retail.

Two well-situated outlets to serve Opel customers in Cologne

The two new sites, ideally situated in the south and west of the city, will deliver the full range of services, including new and used car sales along with after-sales services for Cologne-based Opel customers.

A move that comes as part of a wider European strategy

Distribution of Opel/Vauxhall, following the integration of the two brands in the enlarged Groupe PSA in August 2017, quickly became a strategic target for PSA Retail.

Beginning from nothing in January 2018, PSA Retail will have secured altogether the opening or acquisition of 29 Opel and Vauxhall sites in seven countries (France, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland) by the end of 2019.

As from January 2020, PSA Retail will also distribute Opel/Vauxhall original spare parts through its network of 35 spare parts hubs in Europe.

Anne Abboud, Director of PSA Retail, said: “The opening of two Opel sites in Cologne is a major move for PSA Retail as it sustains its ambition to accompany Opel’s ‘PACE!’ plan, as well as to become, in the short term, one of the five top distributors of the brand with the lightning-bolt badge. A wider and profitable presence on the German market is obviously a key element to reaching this goal.”

Ulrich Selzer, Managing Director of Opel Germany, said: “The opening of this new point of sale shows how the Opel brand benefits from Groupe PSA. The second new location in the Cologne area will make us even more efficient and open up the local growth potential of Opel in the region. We also want Opel models and services for our customers in places where no Opel dealerships were previously present. At the same time, we want to continue working on the identity and differentiation of the Opel brand.”

Wednesday, 3 July 2019

Efficiency champion: New Opel Astra

  • New generation engines: for minimum consumption and low emissions
  • New emissions standard: all powertrains already meet future Euro 6d
  • New benchmark: top aerodynamics for lowest drag coefficients
  • New top transmission: efficient nine-speed automatic for five-door and Sports Tourer
  • New sport chassis: direct steering, revised shock absorbers, Watts link
  • New top technologies: optimised front camera and digital instruments
  • New comfort: heated windshield, further improved infotainment, wireless charging
  • Proven strengths: Intellilux LED matrix light and AGR ergonomic seats


New Opel Astra

New Opel Astra Sports Tourer

Thanks to excellent aerodynamics as well as highly efficient new engines and transmissions, the new Opel Astra sets standards for efficiency and low emissions. Compared with the previous model, CO2 has been cut by up to 19 percent, putting the Astra at the top of the compact class. Current Astra generation already ushered in a new era at its premiere and was elected European Car Of The Year 2016. With its lightweight design (200 kg lighter than the predecessor) and top technologies from higher classes, the Astra set benchmarks. Opel continues to pursue this strategy with ultra-modern new generations of highly efficient and lightweight petrol and diesel engines. The 1.2-1.5-litre three-cylinder power units produce 77 kW (105 hp) to 107 kW (145hp), making both the Astra five-door and Sports Tourer real fuel-saving and CO2 champions (NEDC fuel consumption: urban 6.1-4.5 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.0-3.1 l/100 km, combined 4.8-3.6 l/100 km, 115-96 g/km CO2; WLTP combined: 5.9-4.4, 139-117 g/km CO2; preliminary figures). A counter-rotating balance shaft in the block of the three-cylinder engines offsets vibrations. Base power units already have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. A smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic is optional.

Meticulous development in the wind tunnel also made a significant contribution to the reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. As a result, the new Astra is one of the most aerodynamic compact cars on the market.


At 0.25 Cd, New Opel Astra Sports Tourer belongs to the estate cars with the lowest drag coefficient in the world
At 0.25 Cd, New Opel Astra Sports Tourer belongs to the estate cars with the lowest drag coefficient in the world, while the five-door leads the hatchback class at 0.26 Cd.

New Opel Astra: five-door leads the hatchback class at 0.26 Cd
Aero-benchmarks have been achieved through numerous measures, including an engine compartment cover, deflector-shaped rear axle control arms and a full-face shutter. The upper and lower portions of the new Astra’s radiator grille automatically open and close independently of one another, further improving the frontal airflow. The underbody optimisation improves the drag coefficient by reducing turbulence.

Astra’s dynamic chassis has been further developed. New shock absorbers increase comfort. The optional sports chassis features stiffer dampers, a more direct steering and a Watts link at the rear axle.

“We focussed on reducing fuel consumption and emissions during the development of the new Astra”, said Christian Müller, Managing Director Engineering. “Thanks to the excellent aerodynamics as well as new-generation engines and transmissions, we reduced CO2 emissions by up to 19 percent. That is a huge step to the benefit of our customers, who can also profit from lower running costs. This all puts the new Astra at the top of its class.”

Thanks to state-of-the-art emissions reduction technologies such as Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) and diesel Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), all the Astra’s new powertrains already meet Euro 6d. The strict emissions standard first comes into force for all new registrations in 2021. The all-aluminium diesel and petrol engines are equipped as standard with fuel-saving stop/start technology.

But the new Opel Astra, which can already be ordered in a few weeks, not only boasts exemplary aerodynamics and engine technology. It also comes with many other top technologies, from the new front and rear view camera to the digital speedometer and the next generation of infotainment. The E-Call emergency call system is also on board. A wireless charger in the centre console for smartphones is optionally available.

New Opel Astra: grille in 3D-look

New Opel Astra front impresses with a grille in 3D-look. And while the interior transforms into a concert hall with the optional high-end Bose sound system, Opel Astra turns heads with the optional High Gloss Black Pack.

Efficiency champions: Up to 19 percent lower CO2 emissions

Low consumption and CO2 figures are also enabled by the modern six-speed manual gearboxes, the seven-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and new nine-speed automatic.

New turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, which are as economical as they are lively, are primarily responsible for the exemplary efficiency. Low consumption and CO2 figures are also enabled by the modern six-speed manual gearboxes, the seven-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and – for the first time at Opel – a new nine-speed automatic.


New Opel Astra: 9-Speed-AT HydraMatic

Compact, three-cylinder, turbo petrol units are available with 1.2 and 1.4 litre displacements. With power outputs extending from 81 kW (110 hp) to 107 kW (145 hp) and maximum torque from 195 to 236 Newton metres, they achieve an excellent balance between performance and efficiency (NEDC fuel consumption: urban 6.1-5.4 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.0-3.8 l/100 km, combined 4.8-4.4 l/100 km, 110-101 g/km CO2; WLTP2 combined: 5.9-5.2, 136-120 g/km CO2; preliminary figures). Astra 1.2 is combined with a smooth-shifting six-speed manual gearbox while the Astra 1.4 is available exclusively with a new seven-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). With the CVT, Astra drivers can enjoy the convenience of automatic gear changing or select gears themselves via the shift lever.

Integration of the water-cooled exhaust manifold in the cylinder head contributes to quick engine warm-up, which lowers emissions after a cold start.

New Opel Astra: Three Cylinder 1.2 Direct Injection Turbo

Compared to the previous model, the fuel consumption and CO2 figures of the 77 kW (105 hp) and 90 kW (122 hp) Astra diesels have been reduced by up to 17 percent and around 10 percent respectively.

Instead of the precise, six-speed manual gearbox, the most powerful diesel is optionally available with the seamless shifting of a new nine-speed automatic transmission, which is making its debut at Opel in the Astra.

The diesel engines feature an electrically-activated turbocharger with variable geometry turbine vanes (VGT) and, similar to their petrol counterparts, a balance shaft in the block for additional refinement. Likewise, the exhaust manifold is also integrated in the cylinder head.

Optimum exhaust after-treatment of the Astra 1.5 diesel is delivered by the emissions reduction system consisting of a passive oxidation catalyst, AdBlue injector, SCR catalyst and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

Fully digital: New front and rear view camera, digital speedometer

New Opel Astra: Digital speedometer

Opel Astra already offers a portfolio of state-of-the-art technologies and assistance systems that is unrivalled in this vehicle class – first and foremost the intelligent, glare-free IntelliLux LED Matrix light. The extensive offer also includes systems such as adaptive cruise control, following distance indication, forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition and lane keep assist, to name but a few. Also available are AGR-certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) ergonomic seats with ventilation and massage function. New Opel Astra is also highly digitalised with a new optional high-tech front camera as well as rear view camera.

New Opel Astra: AGR-certified Ergonomic seats with ventilation and massage function.

New front camera is smaller, but more powerful than before thanks to a faster processor. It now not only recognises vehicles, but also pedestrians – an important safety bonus. Furthermore, thanks to the high-resolution camera, traffic sign recognition can now process even more traffic signs and show them as symbols on the display. Digital rear view camera available in conjunction with the new Multimedia Navi Pro infotainment system is also more powerful. View of the traffic behind the vehicle on the monitor is more distinct and precise; the contrasts are more visible in the dark.

Opel Astra customers enjoy top connectivity with the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible systems Multimedia Radio, Multimedia Navi and Multimedia Navi Pro. They belong to the newest infotainment generation – smarter, faster and more intuitive. Top-of-the-line Multimedia Navi Pro – as in the Opel Insignia flagship – has an eight-inch colour touchscreen and can also be operated by voice control. Connected Navigation services with real-time traffic information and online map updates make the journey more relaxed. The navigation display itself appears with redesigned symbols in a fresher, more modern look. The same applies to the instrument cluster: drivers in the new Opel Astra are the first to have a digital speedometer.

Optionally available is the E-Call emergency call function. If needed, help is just seconds away by pressing the red button. If the seatbelt tensioners or airbags are deployed, the system automatically makes an emergency call.

Driving pleasure: Wireless charging and Bose sound system

Comfort is a top priority in the new Astra. A practical feature when travelling: compatible smartphones can now also be charged inductively via wireless charging. All you have to do is insert your smartphone into the opening provided in the centre console – a flat battery is a thing of the past.

The new Astra transforms into a concert hall with the optional Bose high-end sound system. A total of seven loudspeakers including a RichBass subwoofer under the boot ensure optimum listening pleasure. The driver and passengers are surrounded by a rich sound – regardless of where they are in the vehicle. In addition, up to eight different sound profiles can be stored via the digital amplifier – depending on the taste and preference of the music lover.

Last but not least, the new Astra introduces another comfort feature that makes driving in the cold season more pleasant and safer: the heated windscreen. Fine, almost invisible wires in the windscreen ensure that Astra drivers quickly have a clear view of the road on frosty days and that the windscreen no longer fogs up.

New Opel Astra Sports Tourer