- peugeot is definitely coming back to the u.s. market by 2026 after being gone since 1991, and the fiat chrysler automobiles merger is not going to slow that down, a psa spokesman told c/d.
- the french cars are likely to be imported, not built at fca facilities or elsewhere in north america, we are told.
- is psa going to open up shop at fca's michigan headquarters? too soon to say, the spokesman said.
of all the world's automakers not currently competing in the u.s. market, groupe psa, which includes peugeot and citroën, is one of the largest. but, as we've reported for a few years now, the company plans on returning to these shores in the coming years, one way or another.
earlier this year, the french giant announced plans to relaunch its core peugeot brand in north america—two years after taking over the bulk of gm's european operations, and nearly three decades after it last competed here. then, less than two months ago, it revealed it was discussing a merger with transatlantic giant fiat chrysler automobiles, a process which, parties confirmed earlier this week, is moving forward. but the french company is not waiting for the merger to go through before proceeding with its plans for peugeot.
psa spokesmen confirmed to car and driver that, even with the merger process still underway, plans for peugeot's re-entry into the north american market "haven't changed" since the initial announcement this past february. the group's paris-based corporate communications director, pierre-olivier salmon, confirmed that we'll be seeing new peugeots on american roads by 2026. u.s. spokesman shane smith said that "plans call for importing products into this market" rather than manufacturing them locally (at fca's or any other north american facility).
"it will take 12 to 15 months to explore and conclude the combining of the entities," added smith following today's update on the merger process. until then, "it remains 'business as usual' " at groupe psa's pied-à-terre in atlanta, opened less than two years ago, across town from mercedes-benz and porsche's u.s. hubs.
salmon said it is "far too early" to say whether psa might relocate to fca's headquarters in auburn hills, michigan.
along with peugeot's pending re-entry, psa's dozen-strong atlanta team also manages u.s. operations for free2move, the group's car-sharing service. asked whether free2move will replace its local fleet of chevrolets with psa or fca vehicles, smith said it plans on "evolving into our products at some point in the future" and is "exploring new markets" beyond portland, seattle, and d.c., where it currently operates.