Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen to share platforms

Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall have signed an agreement which could lead to the co-development of four new car platforms. The first cars developed through the new deal could arrive by the end of 2016, while the firms claim that the agreement has the potential to save a collective $2billion a year within five years.

So far, spokesmen from both General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen are unable to confirm details as to exactly which new cars will be affected by the plans. However, they have given a rough indication of the four platforms which the firms could work together to develop and thus cut costs:

One platform may underpin both a “compact-class Multi-Purpose Van” for Vauxhall (perhaps along the lines of the next Vauxhall Combo, replacing the current vehicle co-developed with Fiat) and “a compact-class Crossover Utility Vehicle for the Peugeot brand.” This is likely to be along the lines of a replacement for the 4007, the current version of which was developed with Mitsubishi.

The firms are also planning a joint small MPV platform, which uses Citroen's know-how in building small, well packaged and good value people carriers. This could be used to underpin the next Citroen C3 Picasso and Meriva.

The third platform to be investigated will be “an upgraded low CO2 small car segment platform to feed Vauxhall’s and PSA’s next-generation of cars in Europe and other regions.” This translates as a platform that could underpin the next, next generation of Vauxhall Corsa and Adam, the Peugeot 208 and the Citroen C3 and DS3.

Finally, there’s a likelihood that the next Vauxhall Insignia, Peugeot 508 and Citroen C5 will also share a platform in order to make the sales numbers work, as buyers shun traditional mainstream saloons in favour of crossovers and smaller cars sold by more premium brands. This platform could also be used to underpin Astra, 308 and C4-sized cars, too.

A spokesman for the GM side of the deal did say that "nothing is cast in stone... the agreement is more about identifying platforms where savings could be made, then getting together as a team and going to the supply base."

He added that there's plenty of willingness to see the deal work out, with the potential for an announcement about the project's future "within the next six months."