Peugeot/Citroen Drop Hybrid Diesel Co-Op for In-House Effort
Forbes reports that Peugeot/Citroen is shifting their hybrid diesel strategy. The French automaker planned on developing a mass-market diesel hybrid in partnership with Continental, Bosch, Valeo and Thyssen-Krupp for a 2010 release. To meet its goal of developing a diesel hybrid with a price point of under €2k euros, the €471m project had relied on €100m in loans and subsidies from the French Agency for Industrial Innovation. Amidst competitive concerns raised by the public funding scheme and an eighteen month delay (surprise), P/C abandoned the project altogether– in favor of an in-house premium-line diesel hybrid. P/C says their diesel hybrid won't be available until 2011– which is a lot better than "eventually."
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I can see it now: a PSA-GM link-up. Just think about it: -GM improves Peugeot/Citroen quality. -Peugeot/Citroen and GM develop this joint drivetrain (the Volt suddenly becomes more than just a pipedream). -Financial stability. Sure, GM would lose some redneck loyalists who are still upset about France doing something-or-other during the "sham on terrorism" (the "Freedom Fry" set), but gains longterm viability. Also, we could be driving French cars in America again.
Oddly enough, there was a Renault Fuego parked outside my apartment building today ... we might be better off without french cars.
What ZCline said
The original car was French. Google Cugnot's Fardier a vapeur. You will be amazed at how long ago the car was invented. Some of the most interesting cars, both technologically and aesthetically, have been French.