PSA Group execs have announced the creation of a new business unit focused on the development and release of plug-in electric vehicles. This is part of its previously revealed efforts to offer electrified versions of its entire range by 2025.
The new “Low Emission Vehicles Business Unit,” as it has been dubbed, will feature Alexandre Guignard as its Senior Vice President, the announcement also revealed.
As it stands, the company’s current plans call for it to release electrified versions of all of its models — that is, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, or all-electric versions. These electrified options will begin rolling out in 2019, with the full line expected to be covered by at least one electrified version by 2025.
“The new [business unit] will have a global scope and will leverage all factors necessary to deliver models that meet customer expectations, in line with the highest service standards. The [business unit] will be responsible for defining and deploying the Group’s electric vehicle strategy and rolling out the related products and services.” The Low Emission Vehicles Business Unit started work on April 1.
So, it seems that at the very least PSA Group execs have begun to step up their PR efforts when it comes to plug-in electric vehicles — with the possibility also that the company has actually now ramped up its efforts to release compelling plug-in electric models rather than just talk about them.
What do those reading this think? Is PSA Group finally planning to enter the electric vehicle market in a serious way? Is this all just a PR spectacle? Is the company fatally far behind?
It’s notable here that if PSA Group does begin releasing compelling plug-in electric vehicle offerings in 2019, it will in a way have begun to take up the slack that other Europe-based auto manufacturers such as Volkswagen and BMW have been showing as of late. It will all depend, though, on manufacturing numbers. Volkswagen, after all, does sell the e-Golf — it’s just that it limits sales volumes and availability greatly. Ditto for the BMW i3 (which is also overpriced for what it is).
All of this can simply be bending to coming EU regulations — doing as little as possible. PSA was apparently relying a bit on the Ampera-e (European Chevy Bolt) to help meet regulations, before it found out that wasn’t going to work out and decided to sue GM over the matter. It may now be that the company is just racing to meet basic EU requirements.
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