In the binding merger agreement signed Wednesday, Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group claim platform and technology sharing will account for 40 percent of the combined entity’s annual cost savings.
While the agreement made passing mention of two pieces of PSA architecture — platforms that will one day make up a full two-thirds of the merged company’s volume — nothing more was said of that particular plan. Still, it’s something worth talking about.
According to industry sources who spoke to Automotive News Europe, the two wonder platforms are PSA’s CMP and EMP2 architecture, which form the basis of most of the automaker’s small-to-midsize lineup, underpinning a range of hatchbacks, sedans, and crossovers from the Citroen and Peugeot brands.
Obviously, it will take a while for FCA to adopt its partner’s platforms; that two-thirds figure won’t come to fruition for years. While PSA made quick use of its new small and midsize platforms after taking Opel and Vauxhall off GM’s hands, existing FCA models will have to run their course.
The most obvious application for the French automaker’s architecture is in the Fiat stable, which is still a big player in the European market. Given that it’s a low-priced brand, this is an area where FCA would like to save on development costs. While the next-generation 500 city car (a segment FCA seems fairly uninterested in) is already on the way, future Fiats with larger footprints could swap to the PSA platform, no problem.
Fiat’s small car platforms also underpin a number of Jeep models, so expect a switchover for future generations of Compass, Cherokee, and Renegade. Overseas, Jeep plans to introduce an “ultra compact utility vehicle” for 2022; this model could make use of a PSA platform, if development isn’t too far advanced.
The struggling Alfa Romeo brand, relegated to back-burner status in a recent revision of FCA’s five-year product plan, stands to gain from the French, too. While nothing is confirmed, the small SUV slated to appear in late 2022 could don a PSA platform.
PSA is a good dance partner for FCA, as its architectures were designed to accommodate a range of propulsion types — from ICE-only to hybrid and plug-in hybrid, and even fully electric. An electrification plan is already underway at Jeep, Alfa, and Maserati.
Elsewhere in the American lineup, existing architecture is the only path forward. At least for the foreseeable future, that is, until joint platforms rear their heads. Ram’s truck line isn’t about to borrow anything from PSA’s current parts bin, nor are the rear-drive, LX-platform Dodges or the BOF Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator. Same goes for the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee and its upcoming three-row stablemate, as well as the incoming BOF Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
[Image: Chris Tonn/TTAC, Fiat Chrysler]
Holding my breath for a $100,000+ Ram 3500 by DS.
A Citroen 2CV rebadged as the Plymouth Breeze?
Maybe FCA will improve the PSA platforms and they can churn out those (basic FWD-based cars with ‘premium’ toppings which consumers fall for) out successfully.
Just keep the proper FCA RWD platforms too.
Maybe PSA can sell some Europeans massive land barges as consumers seem so fond of paying by the pound over here, who knows, maybe work over there as well. The average consumer of said land barges sill hasn’t caught on that dirt is actually more expensive than steel yet.
Waiting to see the first Ram pickup with “Powered by Peugeot” emblems.
So will we get Dodge pepper mills?
@Lockstops
I loved that Top Gear sketch!
Look forward to combining French, Italian, and Chrysler quality! Seriously?
All that’s missing is British!
When Peugeot bought Chrysler’s European operations, didn’t they include Hillman?
The British brand Vauxhall is now part of PSA.
Vauxhall is as British as I am.
It is too hard to get Lucas smoke emissions compliant.
Oh boy! This should be super fun!
FCA recently said it will exit the A segment and reenter the B segment, which it abandoned a year ago with the demise of the Punto. So, Fiat is headed for a rebadged version of the new generation Peugeot 208, much as the Opel Corsa has been replaced with a rebadged 208. The ICE powered 500 and Panda appear headed for a dirt nap. Where that leaves the new 500 EV they have been touting, I don’t know.
Fiat has said it will not spend anything on updating the Tipo, so, if it is replaced by anything, it will be a rebadged 308.
The thing about Pug SUVs is, by American standards, they are fakes, as they are front drive only. I expect the Fiat “Small Wide 4X4” and “Compact Wide” platforms to carry on under Jeeps for some time.
What of the Fiat 500L? It’s a front drive MPV, so a natural for a rebadged Pug 2008.
The 500X could also transition to the 2008, but it’s already set up on the Fiat “Small Wide” platform, which will continue for Jeep, because it accommodates a 4X4 powertrain, and the 500X shares the Melfi plant with the Renegade and Compass so why bother switching the 500X?
The Pug 3008 and 5008 are the size of a Jeep Cherokee, but front drive only, so the Cherokee isn’t moving to their PSA platform.
So that is my fearless platform forecast: New Fiat B segment, Tipo replacement and 500L move to PSA platforms. 500X, Renegade and Compass stay where they are, on Fiat platforms. Everything else FCA sells in North America is too big to be relevant anywhere else in the world.
2020 Corsa and 208 are 2 different cars not rebadged anything.
>>2020 Corsa and 208 are 2 different cars not rebadged anything.<<
Nope, same car, though, IMHO, the Corsa is better looking. Check most road tests of a new Corsa and they will probably note the car's parentage.
In this piece, the tester notes the 208 relationship at the 1:50 mark.
Given how long they’ve kept the recycled Mercedes platform under the 300, Charger and Challenger, I’m sure whatever PSA contributes will be around until the next merger!
“recycled Mercedes platform”
WRONG.
/Trump
Some misconceptions refuse to die because they sound so good. Who does not want to be underpinned by Mercedes? It sounds so high class.
What about the Jeep Grand Cherokee? It is a reskinned Mercedes. The 300 does ride on recycled Mercedes suspensions, even if they aren’t bolted to a Mercedes platform.
There’s no way Alfa Romeo can launch a vehicle by 2022 AND switch platforms at that point. The project will either continue as-is or be pushed back. Given Alfa’s state I’d imagine it makes sense to launch it as-is.
>>There’s no way Alfa Romeo can launch a vehicle by 2022 AND switch platforms at that point. <<
iirc, the Alfa is supposed to be based on the Compass, which I expect to stay on the Fiat platform. If Alfa wants to sell it in the US, it needs to be AWD. The Pug SUV platforms are front drive only.
Does this mean that surrendering is now a Jeep thing?
Jeeps will now come with 5 reverse gears so the occupants can toss their guns and back away from fights more quickly than ever!
I had a Neon that leaked oil like a Rover.
Can the French teach FCA how to build a decent car?