Peugeot announced that it will launch a new sub-brand called hors-série, a brand which will launch three upscale cars in a bid to attract well-off buyers and boost profits. The new cars will follow the same path as the Citroen DS-style brand.

According to Automotive News, the two French brands are part of a trend by automakers to try to generate extra revenue and higher margins by offering upscale niche models which use mass-market platforms. The first car from the hors-série brand will be the Peugeot RCZ Coupe, a new car set to go on sale in June and based on the 308 compact hatchback. Hors-série designates cars built out (hors) of mass production (série). Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, hors-serie sub-brand, Peugeot, peugeot hors-serie
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A new CEO has been appointed to lead the Peugeot brand. Starting April 2, Vincent Rambaud will be in charge of the company. In addition, the company announced a shake-up of its sales organization.

Rambaud will report to Jean-Marc Gales, who had been CEO aside from his role as board member responsible for the Peugeot and Citroen brands at parent PSA/Peugeot-Citroen. But before Gales, the CEO job had been held by Jean-Philippe Collin in June 2009. This makes Rambaud the third CEO at Peugeot within one year. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, Peugeot, peugeot new ceo, vincent rambaud peugeot ceo
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Peugeot Citroen has decided not to acquire a substantial stake in Mitsubishi. At the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week, PSA’s chief executive Phillippe Varin and Mitsubishi president Osamu Masuko had talked.

In an interview, Varin says that the terms for the planned deal had not been met. According to financial sources, PSA is thinking about taking between a 30% and 50% stake in the Japanese car maker, and could spend up to £2.2 billion. PSA sources say that the tie-up plans are over. Peugeot Citroen sought to build an alliance, which would help give it a global footing as it moves to lessen its dependency on the European market. Shares of Mitsubishi plunged as the markets raised fears that it requires major cash infusions to survive. Mitsubishi’s sales dropped by over 50% in the last decade. Currently, Peugeot uses a modified version of the Mitsubishi Outlander compact SUV as its 4008 model and the Citroen C-Crosser. It also offers a version of Mitsubishi’s innovative i-MiEV electric car as the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero.

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Tags:car news, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, peugeot citroen mitsubishi canned
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Peugeot’s SR1 Concept was officially revealed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. This model confirmed Peugeot’s plan to adopt a new design line for its next models. The SR1 is featured with a set of technological innovations that aim to reduce fuel consumption as well as carbon emissions.

These images of the SR1 clearly show the new design elements that are missing from the current Peugeot models. These features include LED headlights, sculpted bonnet, sweeping sides and a chiseled rear design. The SR1 can seat up to 3 passengers since its 2+1 interior is based on a structure that improves access by allowing the rear seat to slide forward. The car uses the Hybrid4 technology, which means that power stems from a 1.6-liter THP petrol engine, which is capable of generating 218 bhp, and a rear electric unit that contributes 95 bhp. When the car is in electric only mode, it transforms into a ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle). Official figures reveal that its combined cycle fuel consumption is just 4.9 liters/100 km or 119 g/km of CO2. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:2010 geneva motor show, Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot, peugeot sr1 concept, sr1 concept
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Geneva Motor Show continues the interesting reveals of environment oriented vehicles, with different important producers fighting to get a place in the top most wanted and admired hybrids.

It’s the case of Peugeot, which presented its new 4-door hybrid sedan, the “5 by Peugeot”- a brand which is rumoured to be the successor of both 407 and 607. The performance details were still not revealed, we just know that the new model will significantly reduce the CO2 emissions at 99 grams/km when driving. The fuel consumption is also improved to 3.8L/100km. At the exterior, the new model shows a cat looks, featuring LED tube lightning, with windows and handles marked by brushed-aluminium. The hybrid 4 developed for on the “5 by Peugeot” will be introduced at the beginning of 2011 on the Peugeot 3008. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:2010 geneva motor show, 5 by peugeot concept, car news, Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot
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Peugeot revealed today the “5 by Peugeot” concept car, a proof that the French manufacturer will adopt a new line in its future designs.

The new concept previews the 508 sedan and expresses the automaker’s vision and experience in the large touring car market. Its dimensions, proportion and styling are a direct response to the changing trends in the large luxury saloon car market segment and reflects the continual search for more status, quality and performance. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 geneva motor show, 5 by peugeot, car news, Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot, peugeot 508 concept
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Having posted biggest net loss in 20 years for 2009, PSA/Peugeot-Citroen SA declined to provide a 2010 forecast beyond mid-year. The group expects conditions to continue to be tough. More specifically, it predicts that the European market will drop 9% this year.

For the first half of 2010, the group believes that its efforts to drive sales, cut costs and improve capacity utilization as well as new model launches would lead to a positive recurring operating income. In a news conference held recently, CEO Philippe Varin said that the group chose to limit its commitment to the first half because it believes that the first signs of economic recovery will be seen at the end of 2010. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, Citroen, Peugeot, psa peugeot citroen biggest loss
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As Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and PSA/Peugeot Citroen SA strive to form closer ties, they are leading up to a deal that would have Mitsubishi supply PSA with a “global small car.”

Last December, talks to create a strategic partnership started in order to build on their current project-based ties, including SUVs and electric cars. Mitsubishi said that this partnership is likely to include capital ties. The model that Mitsubishi wants to produce is priced at 1 million yen ($11,150) or less and is set to be introduced in 2011. This car is said to be included in a strategy to concentrate on fuel-efficient cars. According to the Asahi newspaper, which cited Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko, the Japanese carmaker wanted to sound out PSA about supplying it with the car. However, Mitsubishi Motors spokesman Tetsuji Inoue was quoted to have said that the company is considering Peugeot, among other carmakers, for the deal but that it has yet to be decided.

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Tags:car news, Mitsubishi, mitsubishi peugeot citroen small car, mitsubishi psa peugeot citroen car
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BMW will again partner with PSA Peugeot Citroën to develop a new I-4 for the Mini range. In 2002, the two companies had signed a deal to design a new range of four-cylinder engines.

Production started in 2005 and since then, 1.3 million examples of the “Prince” engine have been manufactured in both 1.4- and 1.6-liter forms, which were used in the Mini, Citroën C4, and Peugeot 308. Details of the upcoming gasoline four-cylinder have yet to be disclosed. But what we know for sure is that the partnership is intent on satisfying European EU6 emissions requirements, which enact a strict requirement on nitrogen oxide output in 2014. According to the press release, the BMW-PSA partnership will not only deal with the cylinder walls. It also will examine other potential areas for cooperation at systems and component level.

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Tags:Bmw, bmw psa mini cooper engines, car news, Citroen, Peugeot, psa
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Starting March 1, there will be a new head of corporate communications at PSA/Peugeot-Citroen. Caroline Mille-Langlois succeeds Liliane Lacourt, who is set to retire on March 31 after serving for 20 years. Langlois has previously been corporate communications head at France Telecom Orange and she has also worked for a number of listed companies including Total, Alcatel and France Telecom. On the other hand, Lacourt joined PSA in 1990. She was head of corporate communication and in 2007, she became a member of PSA’s executive committee.

Tags:car news, caroline mille-langlois psa, Citroen, Peugeot
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