Unless you live in a cave (which is a distinct possibility with a few of our readers, no offense intended) you’ve undoubtedly heard that PSA (Peugeot, Citroen, DS) is planning to return to the US. The latest plan is to start selling cars in 16 select states in 2026. Those states have been chosen because they’re “import friendly” (California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Arizona, Washington, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Maryland). So you Midwestern folks are left out, for the time being.
It’s still eight years away, so it’s a bit of an abstraction, but would you consider buying a new PSA car when they become available? Do you think PSA can break into this very competitive market?
I have my doubts. It’s hard for me to see what unique selling proposition PSA can come up with, recognizing of course that by 2026, it will not be the current products, like this 3008 CUV above. It looks and seems competitive, but that doesn’t exactly spell success. Both Hyundai and Kia have lost their momentum and market share in the past couple of years. VW is losing hundreds of millions in the US, and is having to spend many billions to create America-specific products, like the Japanese did years ago. The American market requires scale to succeed in the mass market, so it’s a bit hard for me to see how PSA is going to pull that off.
Yes, I loved the classic Peugeots of yore, but that was decades ago. Now they’re pretty much like any other car, as far as I can tell, although maybe some of their more unusual products like the Cactus might have appeal, although it’s lost its distinctive side cladding.
If you’re European, I’d be interested to hear what you think makes PSA products attractive, and which ones might be of interest to Americans.
What the hell, CO is extremely import friendly, but your list only has 14 instead of 16 so there’s still hope I guess.
They should import used brown manual diesel wagons, they’ll sell every one.
No, but really, I’d “consider” it but likely wouldn’t buy without a track record of at least a few years first. The European definition of reliable differs from the American one.
But imagine if there was a P-150 crewcab (or even better a C-150)? Then maybe as I seem to be the biggest fan/champion of import full-size pickups here at CC for the non-professional owner. Besides lighting a pile of my own money on fire there couldn’t be a better and faster way of disposing of it. 🙂
Yeah, they left out one or two states in their press release. Not a good omen, eh? Colorado and Oregon might well be on the list.
Maybe they are smoking some of each of our newest industries’ product…Hopefully they don’t only assemble 14 of every 16 parts in the cars.
It’ll be interesting to watch, if the tariffs happen I think the whole thing is doomed anyway before it gets off the ground but otherwise more choice is always better in my view. If CO is one of the states, being an “island” would be somewhat worrying with no dealer in any state or two around me though.
In addition to Colorado I’m guessing Connecticut. They could have gotten that list just by picking the richest US states.
Yea, I was going to say where is Oregon on the list?
I was surprised IL was on there, but I’m guessing the buying power of the whole northeast of the state (around 9 million) offsets the rest. Plus at least you have to have some sort of presence outside the coasts, and if you are we’re about it. (Sorry Cleveland.)
Here’s a sneak peek, Jim.
There we go! The Official Ride of the Keyboard Warrior!
The BEST station wagon I ever had!
Strong as an Ox
Reliable as an elefant.
“They should import used brown manual diesel wagons, they’ll sell every one. ”
I’m in. Make mine a manual transmission please.
And, of course, you’ll wait until its used to buy it.
I had a Peugeot years ago, a 504, but now it would be silly, cars are all generic so just buy a Toyota or Hyundai, get where you need to go and don’t worry. If you want fun, buy an MG….
If I were in the market for the class of vehicle they sell, I would definitely consider one as a more unique alternative to the more common Toyota-Honda-Nissan-Hyundai-Kia-Chevrolet-Ford type.
I was mostly impressed with the one recent French car I drove while in Europe last summer, a Renault Talisman. My primary complaint was its underpowered engine, which I’m sure would be addressed for the U.S. market.
At one point I saw a print ad for the 405 with the tagline “beyond the obvious” or “escape the obvious.”
You can already buy a Peugeot in the states….if you like commercials vans that is. Albeit with a Dodge grill.
The Ducato (Peugeot Boxer) isn’t exactly a 100% Peugeot product. It’s built by the Sevel joint venture with Fiat in Italy, and sold under various brands (Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen). I suspect Fiat had more of a hand in it than Peugeot.
…”I suspect Fiat had more of a hand in it than Peugeot”…
Absolutely.
The compact and mid-size MPVs/panel vans are pure PSA products. The latest entry is the compact Peugeot Rifter.
I had three Peugeot 504s in the ’90s and liked them a lot. The appeal was the reliability and the passive safety. I saw the 504 as a French Volvo, but with more style and refinement. As it happened, I learned of Peugeot’s withdrawal from the US market a couple of months after getting my first 504.
If the 2026 US-market Peugeots had the traits of the 504, then I’d buy one. I do think Peugeot would need to have dealerships in all 50 states. Spotty dealer networks didn’t do anything for Daihatsu, Suzuki, and probably some other makes.
The DS division might be in danger now then PSA own Opel-Vauxhall and there’s a French article about the DS 7 Crossback who said it might be DS’ last chance.
http://boitierrouge.com/2018/05/27/ds-7-crossback-derniere-chance-ou-renouveau/
There’s also another French article about DS at http://boitierrouge.com/2018/03/09/ds-une-marque-en-voie-de-disparition-histoire-et-analyse/
By then, will most of the cars sold in the USA be from the same 5 factories in China, no matter the brand, the way “large appliances” are now? I mean, I would give a PSA car a chance, assuming there will be a dealer anywhere near where I live (Western Wisconsin/eastern Minnesota) I’m not against having an “import” (increasingly meaningless term considering I bought an “American” minivan made in Canada and my mom bought a “Japanese” Subaru made in Indiana… My whole issue is if I can’t buy or service a car without a 1-2 hour drive first like the Mazda I used to have (and miss) then I’m less apt to consider it. And isn’t the dealer network the hardest part for a manufacturer to get started?
Excellent point. A Peugeot-driving friend here in Australia used to regularly drive his car an hour and a half to the nearest dealer. But he’d owned Peugeots for decades. He’s moved, and is closer now. But I have to wonder how many would-be first-time customers would put up with that?
Extrapolate that to the US, with planned dealerships in so few states (and I have to wonder just how many dealerships there’d be in those states) and returning to the US really seems like an uphill battle.
I like what Peugeot does best: B-, C- and D-segment cars. Respectively the 208, the 308 and the brand new 508. All of them too small and/or too low for the US.
Not a fan at all of these tall, overwrougth monstrosities as shown here.
A friend has a 508 wagon. It reminded me of an Audi more than the Peugeots of old.
I don’t know. I’m in the States and the 508 seems rather intriguing to me. Then again, I’m not in one of the states on the list. But being completely serious that the 508 is one car I want to check out better whenever I get the chance.
At this point in time, it is unlikely that I’d consider buying one. I think that Peugeots were O.K. cars (a bit underpowered for the U.S. market) but Citroens were definitely unreliable. As with any European car I would worry about reliability and the high price of parts and maintenance and repairs.
In the past French cars were known for providing comfort and luxury and not so much for performance. I’m not sure what special qualities would make a Citroen or Peugeot attractive to American buyers. They’re like answers to questions that no one seems to be asking.
Good arguments for and against, but it really is looking like a case of the coasts versus the midwest, and that never goes well for a brand. They tried that before, and it did not work back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and won’t work now. Renault would have a better chance by working from Nissan dealers, but PSA does not have that luxury, and never will grow much without nationwide franchises.
That said, I would definitely look them over. I have a history. I have a Fiat now…
They would have to offer style, substance, and really great value to make it work.I tend to keep cars, so the depreciation is not a big deal to me, but it definitely means that leasing is going to be tough, and a lot of folks will be burned (or more likely, completely underwater) on loan to value rates at trade in. If they focus on the uniqueness, the “frenchness” versus other cars, like Fiat did originally, they may become a niche player. But, without a nationwide dealership, and without the warranty and repair capabilities that come with a dealer network, they are chasing a fantasy.
I am not sure what they will bring here that will take them beyond niche status. Small sedans? Diesel engines?
The problem today is that success from a European brand seems to reqire prestige. VW does not have it and struggles. It has taken awhile but even Volvo seems to be there. PSA is going to have to bring beauty, market relevance, value and no worse than American levels of quality/durability. I’m not seeing it.
As for me? No. I have reached the age where I am no longer willing to gamble on something that intrigues me. The last European car in the US that proved to be a long-term value proposition was . . . .?
PSA is going to have to bring beauty, market relevance, value and no worse than American levels of quality/durability. I’m not seeing it.
Or something really down and dirty cheap.
I have reached the age where I am no longer willing to gamble on something that intrigues me.
Sad to hear that ;^) If I had garage space, I would be inclined to bring home all manner of 4 wheeled devices that interested me, from a Fuego to a Lark.
I’m kind of at that point, too. My Fiat Abarth was probably my last hurrah for interesting cars, as I’ve long since realized that any enjoyment a fun car gives me, a motorcycle does that and more, for a lot less money, and a lot more enjoyment.
Now . . . . . if I should reach the point where I’m still functioning but physically unable to ride a bike anymore, then I want the most outlandish, weirdest automobile I can get, reliability and practicality be damned.
But as long as I’ve got my bikes, cars are appliances.
To most car enthusiasts l know, they know of those brands by care nothing for them. Personally, I’ve made it a goal to never buy another car made after 1990 and especially anything imported (a classic Beetle being my only exception) so perhaps I’m a bit out of my remit! I think that most Americans wouldn’t accept the idea of “a French car” regardless of styling. I doubt they’d even know the name.
Well I would, ok I’m not in the US but have been driving Citroens for many years, just replaced in January my 98 Xsara with a MK1 C5 hatch its since done 19,000kms and hasnt missed a beat all the electronic systems function perfectly all up mileage is 283,000, I’d call them reliable compared to Japanese cars which everyone holds in high esteeem. Ride comfort and handling are better than pretty much anything else you can get.
And the 98 Xsara still runs and drives fine, its now my 17 year old daughters first car, she loves it.
As past owner of a Renault Fuego, I’d consider a PSA product if it offered some feature distinguishing itself from the mass market. A superior ride/handling balance would be one, or styling cleaner and simpler than the current overwrought Star Wars look would be another. I don’t care for the 3008 CUV in the first photo, but as Paul wrote, 2026 product will be much (?) different. As Daan and others have mentioned, parts and service availability are very important. PSA would have to find a way to turn this liability into an asset, starting with a comprehensive warranty, and low-cost service.
A car like the Citroen C6 could be very impressive. Trading on the French reputation for beauty, refinement, technology and exclusivity is their only hope. I’ve seen one or two of these cars in Paris and they are knockouts.
Unfortunately, the C6 didn’t sell at all and has been terminated. In the American marketplace any PSA products, even the C6, would be quickly consumed like a nice little aperitif by Lexus, Mercedes and Audi.
The C6 was an awesome design.
But its sales were hampered by two very bad engine options.
One gas guzzling six cylinder engine and one slightly underpowered yet thirsty Diesel.
There were truckloads of other brands that offered better choices.
Except styling.
Citroën delayed the introduction of C6 from 2000 to 2005 while ending the XM production in 2000. While the customers were waiting for the XM replacement, they were offered smaller Xsara, which Citroën tossed in as ‘top-of-the-line’ interim. They started looking elsewhere to replace their XM. That ruined the brand loyalty for Citroën.
Additionally, Citroën wanted to keep the ‘luxury aura’ by refusing to offer anything less than four cylinders for a year and half. That hurt the fleet sales, especially in the countries where 2-litre tax break is imposed. French were more content with four-cylinder motors and were somewhat incensed that they couldn’t order the biggest Citroën and have four-cylinder motors as a side dish.
My father’s best friend owned many Citroëns for forty years starting with DS in the late 1960s, going through a several CX in the 1970s and 1980s with last one being Series II Turbo (his favourite of all Citroën), and continuing with XM in the 1990s.
When it was time to trade his XM in 2002, Citroën offered Xsara. He looked at it and went to the nearest Audi sales centre to lease A6, which he continues to shun Citroën to this day. He indicated that Citroën had lost its hallmark peculiarities and became ‘normalised’ (i.e. Peugeots in different clothes). Nothing to stand Citroën out from its competition anymore.
Citroën tried its luck with luxury DS sub-brand, but would it be too late? Perhaps, yes. Citroën could have done something about its stunning Metropolis and C9 concept cars and the still-born ‘GT by Citroën’ (which was about to enter into limited production).
I agree on all points.
The Xsara (remember those Claudia Schiffer Airbag commercials?) was clearly a middle class car.
Fitted with the V6 and its hydropneumatic suspension it was a great handling and riding car though.
Egad! I meant to say less than six cylinders, not four. Sorry…
Xsara was a small hatchback, certainly not a replacement for the large XM. It never came with a V6 either.
You’re right. It was the D-segment Citroën Xantia that was offered with a V6.
My take from Europe, not having been to the US for 18 years…..
……if it’s too French, it will not break into the US market in any volume. The Japanese have succeeded because they deliver solid, dependable, and accessible products with acceptable value for money. The Germans succeed through prestige and Autobahn credibility, the Brits use traditional wood and leather or 60’s chic (Mini) appeal for a much more modest success,
The French do not have such a backstory to build on in the US.
Any French entry will be against the mainstream Japanese and Korean brands and any USP will have to more subtle than being French. Striking styling and soft suspensions are available elsewhere now.
In the UK, the French pitch is value (Citroen, Renault), striking styling, comfort and not German (Peugeot), novelty (Citroen), crossovers, SUVs and MPVs (all 3), diesel economy (all 3) and electrification (Renault Zoe). Those don’t seem like USPs or winning factors in the US to me.
Add some flimsy interiors and perception of reliability issues (probably unfair) and it seems like a hard sell.
But, and this is perhaps quite a bit but, they have the Opel brand (German, autobahn, BMW with value) to use if they want.
“My take from Europe, not having been to the US for 18 years…..”
Roger, the time has come! There are two CC meetups planned, one for each coast and also serious talk of another in the midwest. Pick your poison or better yet start on one coast and drive to all three ending on the other coast. A once in a lifetime opportunity!
But you did hit on something – an electrified lineup COULD be attractive. Most electrics, even the ones with long range, are currently not really used for really long-distance interstate travel (yes, I know you CAN and some Tesla’s DO, but the majority of Leafs, e-Golf’s 500e’s are urban shorter distance use and not interstate transport. VW is starting to build out more charging stations for use by anyone and others will likely join in, eventually reaching a tipping point once oil companies and gas stations come on board over here. With electrics generally considered more reliable than regular cars (or at least needing less maintenance), this could be a potential differentiator.
I think you’re onto something, Jim. My electric Fiat 500e appeals to me both because it’s Italian and that heritage is attractive (we had an 850 Spider when I was a kid), and because it does have Italian style and driving characteristics.
The fact that I got an amazing lease deal had a lot to do with it too, but I could have had nearly as good a deal from Chevy or Nissan for much less interesting cars.
Many people don’t want to enter the USA at the moment. After the last experience with my foreign born wife, it’s best for us to stay away.
Seems they really don’t like naturalised Canadian citizens at your border. My foreign born kids also get hassled.
Not worth it.
This is the LAST website I want to get political at (it’s a calm ocean away from all the arguing everywhere else), but reading your post makes me want to apologize to you and your family, and say that your treatment isn’t representative of this country as a whole, and that many of us are as disappointed by things like this as you are.
There isn’t any quirk left, and that’s the only selling point there is to American buyers for French cars. Both of these Crossovers may as well have Lexus or Jeep badges, and truth be told I don’t think the customer base who has been clamoring for a return of French brands in modern times(are there any?) will buy them either, they simply aren’t the product they’re nostalgic for.
I definitely won’t buy one. Even if I came out of my cave and embraced this automotive dystopia, the market is so ridiculously flooded with too many brands with cars built to nearly identical configurations already, that I don’t see what these would have woo me. Frankly weird styling is all Peugeot and Citroen really had going for them from the 90s to recently it seems, unless I’m missing some distinguishing engineering feature nobody else uses, like they used to, but weird styling doesn’t exactly stand out in a goofy world of spindle grilles.
It must be hard for a long-established car maker to break into a potentially-huge market that isn’t familiar with their products. Or that remembers bad things about them. To succeed, they need a point of difference to distinguish themselves from other vehicles already on the market. What positive difference is there about PSA cars?
The time was when French cars were noted for comfort, and having a fantastic ride. I still remember (40 years later!) the smoothness of that Renault 16 I almost bought as a first car – not PSA, I know, but it seemed to be a national characteristic. Citroen always seemed to be decades ahead. And Peugeot was renowned for toughness in the fifties-sixties here.
But nowadays? This decade? With their current products? I’m not sure what the answer is.
Peugeot has the best products now that they’ve had since the early/mid-1990s. Even the crossovers really pop when you see them in person and the dynamics are near top-of-the-class.
In Australia, Citroen is still sputtering along but a lot of their problems seem to involve their distributor. Peugeot is seeing growth on the backs of their excellent product. Renault is soaring even higher, probably because they can share showroom space with Nissan and they’ve got strong-selling products like the Koleos crossover.
I hope of all their brands, PSA skips DS and takes Peugeot and Citroen to North America. The latest PSA-based Opels (e.g. the Grandland X crossover) are nice but unexciting. Citroen’s got some funky design language, even if the Cactus has been toned down.
Peugeot, though, has terrific product. Everyone’s concerns are perfectly founded though re: a non-prestige brand cracking a new market. They would have an uphill climb. But if they keep their product as competitive next decade as they have now, I’d hope they could find some measure of success.
If it wasn’t for the nuclear testing in the mid-1970s who hurted French products in Australia, I wonder if Renault popularity would had been more higher Down Under? Renault was up after the R12 won Wheels magazine Car of the Year award in 1970.
https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/12-orphan-cars-built-in-australia
https://www.shannons.com.au/club/news/1970-80-renault-12-australian-ambitions-nuked/
Good point, Stéphane. I remember there being a lot of coverage in Aussie magazines in the mid-1990s discussing how nuclear testing affected French automakers.
Renault and Peugeot wasn’t the only ones affected. Chrysler Australia was also affected when they bring the Centura who was based on the French Chrysler 180 developed by Simca.
https://www.allpar.com/cars/chrysler/centura.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Centura
True. Those anti-nuclear protests were violent! But if the 12 my cousin owned was any indication, Aussie-assembled Renault quality would have done them in anyway. Peugeot survived and prospers (relatively), and Citroens have never been common. But you hardly ever see Renaults.
Having moved back to the states before the toning-down happened I didn’t realize that. Previously, that was essentially the only currently-in-production PSA production that I could imagine becoming a niche hit in the US. My mother wanted one after seeing them when we visited. But would she give up her Crosstrek for it, and would Citroën be able to sell it at volumes and margins high enough to justify entering the US market? I seriously doubt that, even though my family fondly remembers a lot of French cars.
Their most competitive space might be to bring the 208/308 and crossover derivatives as chuckable Mini-competitors, but you’d have to build the brand from scratch. while I’d buy a 208 or 308 GTi (or equivalent Citroën/DS) over any other hot hatch that’s a sliver of the market and they’d basically be competing on merits, without a strong brand image. And merits aren’t usually enough, particularly when Americans tend to buy by unit mass or volume (and I don’t get the impression even Mini—and perhaps more relevantly, Fiat—is doing all that great in the US at the moment).
First I had heard of this, so I guess I do live in an automotive cave. Honestly, I’m old enough to have seen the problems Peugeot and Citroen had here in the past, perhaps anecdotally, with service and parts support. OTOH, the Fiat 500 and Mini seem to have reached a critical mass of sales and this support, as far as I can tell. However, the models sold here by those two makes (brands really, since FCA and BMW are otherwise well-established) offer something unique that PSA might struggle to provide. Finally, I will say that my 40+ year old memories of driving a friend’s parents 504, and 3 year old memories of admiring the Cactus on a visit to a Turkey, are very positive. But I probably wouldn’t buy one.
I rented a Peugeot 5008 in the UK last week on vacation with my family. I loved it. It was excellent in every way. Yes, I would buy one.
I was exposed to a bunch of 404s, 504s, and 2cvs in Chile in the early 1980s and was favorably impressed. Ditto the Renault 4s and 12s in Colombia in the ’90s. I would certainly consider their cars if they send us compelling models.
I think that is the real key, though. I considered a couple of Fiat models, but the 500’s shift console kept trying to decapitate my right knee and the 500x seemed overpriced compared to the competition. I probably would have bought a 500 in 2012 or 2015 of it weren’t for the knee issue, as I enjoyed driving it.
Back into my cave now…
Paul,
“So you Midwestern folks are left out, for the time being.”
Yet,
“Those states have been chosen because they’re “import friendly” (California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Arizona, Washington, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Maryland)?
Illinois is in the Midwest.
Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois are regarded as distinct from the Upper Midwest.
My Midwest-born-and-bred wife laughingly calls Chicago “The Other East Coast.” She considers the remainder (ahem… ‘real part’) of Illinois to be part the Midwest.
I’m happy to see Illinois on the list. If PSA established a proper service/dealer network I would consider a Peugeot or Citroen.
Back in the late ‘70’s – eighties my best friend’s Dutch dad only drove Peugeots. He sometimes had two 504s, a Sedan & Wagon or diesel & gas, a 604, & a 505. We lived in Madison, WI and even when Peugeot was selling in the US he had to travel 75 miles to Rockford, IL for proper service.
I’m an outlier so my opinion is of no interest to them. I prefer sedans over a CUV type any day of the week. I liked the 404 and 504 which were different enough from other cars back then to attract me much like the Saab 900. Today’s CUVs look pretty much the same to me in body enough so that I could call them cookie cutter. The only thing that really sets one apart from another is how ugly the front is. That teal Peugeot up there is an ugly one.
How big a dealer network do you really need? No matter what new car you have the dealer isn’t open much after 8pm so you are on your own after that if you need service. A lot of car buyers do research online and you don’t need salespeople for that. It’s pretty easy to apply for a loan online so a dealer doesn’t really need a staff for loan processing. Advertising can be done through social media outlets and mass media. You need cars to test drive but cars are mobile. Grab some people who want a quick buck and set them up on college campuses or other designated places to set up test drives. These people aren’t selling so they don’t need a dealer license. Anyone who is really interested can set up a meeting with an authorised dealer. Hell, they could even pay for the Uber/Lyft to get there. Daewoo tried this idea in the 90’s but the online services weren’t there. With little overhead and few permanent staff these cars can come cheap.
I wouldn’t drive more than maybe thirty miles for routine service (maintenance or warranty repairs) on a new car if it was a more or less run of the mill vehicle even if the interval is the now common 10k mile interval. I didn’t buy a Mercedes due to the dealer originally being an hour away, once one set up shop within ten miles I was in (as were many others in my area). While the guy at the corner repair shop likely COULD do any required standard service, I’m not willing to entrust my $30-$40k new vehicle to him even if with proper receipts a genuine warranty claim shouldn’t be denied based on that.
Something more exotic I’d be more willing to deal with an inconvenience but conversely also more aware that there would likely BE more inconveniences, thus probably ruling it out as a main vehicle. So I do think it matters quite a bit especially as they intend them to be main vehicles to be cross shopped with the stuff everyone sees every day and can’t tell apart. 🙂
Bigger than you think. Most people don’t care whether a grocery store is open 7-11, 8-9, or 24/7, they care that it is close by. And nobody seems to use online grocery services, at least for most of their shopping. Seems that even Amazon realizes that online only may not be the best option, as they are opening showcase stores in larger markets that allow physical interaction with products before purchase. We like to see large purchases in person, regardless of how much we look at them online. One needs to see that they actually “fit”, they meet expectations, and only then is anyone comfortable going back online and ordering. That is why product being physically available, able to see, touch, hear, and otherwise sense something, is more important than just being able to buy it any time you wish.
Does it have a Hydropneumatic suspension? If so, yes. If not, maybe but probably not. (And yes I’m aware that Citroen has only got the new less advanced system on the Cactus, which is a shame, at least to me). The answer to why that is can be found in the fact that I don’t find any of their offerings interesting at all. If I want a big wagon in Europe, (Although I’d take an XM in a heartbeat!)
Sorry hydropneumatic went out in the late 90s, later models have computer controled hydra active powered by an always active electric pump instead of the engine driven pump of old, steering and brakes are now of the regular hydraulic variety instead of pump driven, and it works quite well, press the remote on my C5 to unlock it and the pump whirrs and the car lifts a couple of centimetres to normal ride height before you have the door open, no more waiting for pressure to build to gain normal ride height or the brakes to release like the earlier versions, service height is still way up in the air and low n slow is still there.
Oh, yes, that’s true. I forgot about the Hydractive system. I simply meant the concept, which I think was last offered on the C5? And yes, that was my bad. Although to me DIRAVI steering was always quite interesting. I guess my general point is that to me, none of the PSA brands offer anything from a technical standpoint that make them stand out to me.
Establishing dealerships in only “16 select states” is a good move. It makes it much easier to abandon them ten years later.
Especially when you only name 14 with two players to be named later (possibly)…
Depends
1: What is their product line going to look like in 8 years if/when they come.
2: What sort of financial/personal situation would I be in where a new car would be a viable prospect, if I even have the interest in one at all.
3: Related to number 1, what will their products offer that might entice me to consider one.
4: What state will I be in that actually has established dealers near whatever location I choose to live in.
All of these criteria have to be met. Otherwise, it’s just an unknown I won’t take a chance on.
Hi Joseph, I really would like more of your thoughts on this, as you are an interesting subject for this quiz. You are in the demographic for those who would probably buy a PSA car in 2026 (based on your age) and you respect and understand older American cars, which it seems most folks your age do not.
Let’s base it on their current lineup, so no radical changes, no groundbreaking new models. Just iterations of what they have now.
Let’s assume you can afford and want to buy a new car, truck, or SUV, and you have the proverbial wife and 2 kids, and commute to work about 20 minutes away from your home.
Use the current lineup of other manufacturers to see what would or would not be interesting.Same criteria as with the PSA lineup. No radical new model, no fundamentally different platform. Just iterations of what is out there now.
Let’s assume you live near a dealer, and that dealer has a good reputation.
If all that was met, would you even think about a PSA? Or even what is on the market from others now? Or do you like the older stuff more than anything current?
I ask, because I wonder if younger folks are just looking for more of the same, but in a new color (so to speak), or something radically different? Are they looking for more EVs? Actual autonomous cars? Ride share platforms? Are trucks more loved, or cars? Does it even matter?
I am older, not dead yet, but 8 years from now, I will be 64 and not really the ones that are being aimed at. You are. You and your friends. What is the key to understanding what you, as a gearhead, want that is different from the kid who is not even getting his license?
I honestly would like your take on it. I try to never stop learning, and would love your opinion. Thanks in advance. And no worries if you don’t wish to share your thoughts, either. It’s a big ask from someone who doesn’t even know you.
I guess the short answer would be, “probably not.”
I will admit, I do like my older cars, I am heavily biased towards older cars, even though I recognize cars do get better as time goes on. For the most part, anything in the 90s is what I would drive for the rest of my life, though some vehicles from about 2000-2010 wouldn’t be out of my consideration.
As for the whole generational thing, well, that’s a whole other question. I can’t speak for everyone in my generation, because I just don’t talk to many people from my generation, and even then, I’m not necessarily in touch with them that well.
When it comes to the gearhead question, I admit, I am very biased towards older luxury and muscle cars. Trucks, supercars, sports sedans, sort of stereotypical “enthusiast” vehicles just have not interest for me. If you wanted me to answer honestly what I wanted in a new car, it would be the classic American Luxury car formula, big engine, rear wheel drive, focused more on ride comfort and a quiet driving experience than something focused on going fast and being loud. But, I am self-aware enough to know that kind of car is never coming back, and that the closest things to it are rather pricey.
When it comes to my own personal lifestyle choices, to be honest, I see myself being very much a bachelor for the rest of my life. I see myself focusing on work as long as I can, I don’t want to move to a big city, preferring to live somewhere more quiet. In my off time from work, I’ll maybe just focus on some hobbies I have, maybe even have a new one or two as the years pass on. So, the classic “wife and two kids” lifestyle basically just doesn’t fit in with my personal feelings.
I guess with all that said and all those factors taken into consideration, based on the current lineup, I would probably say no. The cars that Citroen and PSA make today just don’t appeal to me, even if they were in my price bracket and the dealership network had a good rapport amongst its customers, the products that they sell have nothing to entice me to consider one. I wouldn’t even buy what’s on the market right now, save for either a Rolls or Bentley, but those aren’t going to happen in my lifetime unless I get ridiculously lucky (which never happens)
I guess in a couple years time, depending on where the market is and what cars are popular, in the 8 years that Citroen and PSA come to the states, maybe my answer will change, but for now, I have little interest.
Lease, perhaps.
IDK ’bout buying.
Having learned of PSA’s ambition, I looked at a couple of video road tests of current Peugeot products.
A test of a 308GTi absolutely savaged the car, from the thoughtless design (no tie down rings in the cargo area, that every other hatchback has, for instance), to ergonomic weirdness, like a tach that rotates counterclockwise and just plain hating the way the car drove.
I think it was a 608 that came in for more vitriol, like the flimsy cup holders that pop out from high on the center stack, which only hold a narrow range of cup sizes, with too small cups falling out the bottom and spilling their contents on the console and floor, and when cups did fit in the holder, they blocked the a/c vents. Much of the rest of the car was as poorly thought out at those cup holders.
The second thing to think about is a comment Tavares made when Opel was bought out, words to the effect that there are people in the world who simply will not buy a French car, so he was buying the Opel brand.
So, if PSA brought anything to the US, it likely could be badged as a Opel to duck any anti-French bias.
Another thing, I really don’t like the styling of French cars, and I say that as a former Renault owner. Renault and Peugeot both produced some reasonably attractive cars in the 80s and 90s, but now they look like the worst fever dreams that come out of Toyota.
How has PSA’s last launch outside of Europe gone? Through May of this year, Peugeot ranks 31st in China. Citroen ranks 32nd with 59.097 sold. Peugeot has shifted 76.494 cars YTD, vs 1.285.618 for market leader VW, 250.954 for 12th ranked Audi and 137.934 for 22nd ranked Skoda. GM has sold over 98,000 Cadillacs in the “People’s Republic”.
PSA is dreaming of a situation which could easily turn into a nightmare.???
Right now FIAT is a basket case with falling sales each month even with the 500X which shares the same platform with the Jeep Renegade (which is selling like gang busters).
The Chrysler and Dodge brands are on a watch list as per Sergio. Add Mitsubishi which is barely hanging on and has turned to Nissan/Renault to survive. Volvo only exists because the Chinese are flush with cash.
Suzuki bit the dust just several years back. SAAB (talk about quirky) is toast. Lets not forget domestic brands like Mercury, Plymouth, Saturn (which I liked) and Pontiac. Even Korea is not immune for lets not forget Daewoo which came and went in a flash. Add Daihatsu to the obituary (any body remember them)???
Unless PSA has a cornucopia of SUVs and pickups, it will be wasting precious resources and Euros on a losing battle. China would a better place to spend the money. ???????
China would a better place to spend the money.
http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180314/ANE/180319859/psa-faces-make-or-break-year-after-failing-to-adapt-to-changing-china
China became PSA’s biggest market in 2014 but it’s sliding there, hence (I expect) eyeing the US as it’s about the only place left they don’t already have a presence.
Some marques that you mention are not dead, just no longer sold in the USA, like Suzuki (which sold over 2 Million units last year). Daewoo is alive and well, just renamed as GM Korea (and producing models for sale in the US as Chevrolets and Buicks), and Daihatsu is still pumping out product for sale in Japan and other markets, just not North America.
Now, all of this is important as it pertains to the North American market, but any manufacturer can enter this market and win if they play the game correctly. None of the import marques you mention really had nationwide dealerships, nor did they have compelling product or a compelling value proposition. Yugos come to mind. They were cheap, but not in a value way. Cheap, as in low price but higher value for the price, is how Hyundai made it. Renault can rely on a Nissan network, PSA cannot, so they have to have a really compelling value proposition to make entry to the US work. Either they offer items not available (like hot hatches, which they have in spades) or cars that punch way over their weight class, offering much more for less than a comparable version from another manufacturer.
PSA probably will shoot themselves in the foot, mind you, I don’t have rose colored glasses on. But, if they do their homework, get the value proposition right, have enough dealers in markets that will support them, and offer something that others cannot or will not offer, then it just might work.
I’ll be dangerously close to retirement in 2026; anything I buy new at that time will have to be nearly bulletproof. I’m going to want something with high reliability and low operating cost, because I probably won’t be buying anything else. Most likely it will also have to be electrified, whether something similar to an EREV (Volt or Pac Hybrid) or maybe even a BEV (various).
I believe as more cars electrify that the reliability will go up even beyond what we experience today. However, if that is the case, then a new brand may or may not have an impact vis-a-vis old brands that have never left the market. Why spend money on a Citroen “Volt” as opposed to a Chevrolet Volt which is a known quantity? If reliability is equivalent between the two, the Chevrolet product will have dealer support in all 50 states, better lease rates and resale values. What is my motivation as a (then) 64 year old person looking for a car to buy this car from a company that is re-establishing itself in the US market?
Look to Sergio’s bold experiment. Bringing Fiat into the US was a ballsy move, plagued with horrible product launches and missed opportunities. Here we are almost 10 years later and it seems the experiment may end. We’ve looked long and hard at buying one of the 500Ls in particular, but could never find the singular reason to get back into car payments. The unique selling proposition was not there for me to pull the trigger.
In our case, we live five miles from a major FCA/Fiat/Alfa/Maserati dealer in Western Michigan, so service should not have been an issue. I have good credit and we keep our new-purchased cars forever. We like the cars, I’ve had Fiat products before, all of these things should have been in their favor. But, I couldn’t pull the trigger.
Ratchet ahead 8 or so years, I bet many other people will have the same issue as I have had with Fiats. Nice cars, attractive prices, but where’s the beef?
PSA needs to take a page from the VW and Hyundai playbook and then amp it up a lot. Quell buyers fears concerning service and warranty. Free scheduled service for five years. 10 years, 150K miles bumper to bumper warranty. Concierge service and service agreements when the buyers take the cars out of the 15 state sales area. It’s going to be expensive, but it’s the only way that they’ll be able conquer the market that is the United States.
They’d probably be better off focusing the efforts on China and India.
Excellent point Geo!
The experience of Fiat is a good indicator of how Peugeot will fare.
Except Peugeot plans to try to come in on the cheap, with even less investment in dealers.
IMO opinion, Peugeot’s only chance hinges on whether:
a. diesel acceptance in the next 2-3 years returns to pre VW-cheater-scandal levels
b. we have some kind of geopolitical shock or energy crisis that results in Americans paying the equivalent of at least $10 per gallon of fuel (that’s in today’s dollars)
OH-the original question. Even then, no, I wouldn’t buy a Peugeot.
To paraphrase Paul, this is not the 1960s, when a Peugeot 404, like a Volvo Amazon, represented a quality, well-built car that was room and fuel-efficient, and robust. Now, for many reasons, global competition and govt regulation, all cars are actually quite good and quite COMPARABLE–and quite COMPLICATED. So, what’s the incentive to gamble and expensive purchase on a Peugeot vs a Japanese, American, or German car (made anywhere on earth)?
Paris is banning diesel cars in 2030, France in 2040. I assume PSA will be hastily trying to divest themselves of their reputation as a manufacturer of diesels.
I would be surprised if they offer diesels in the US at all. In fact, I’ll be surprised if this whole plan isn’t scrapped.
If they do a retro Peugeot 504 wagon I’m in. Otherwise we’ll have to wait and see.
Unequivocally no. But I’ll be perfectly honest- the chances of an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes making it into my garage are just about the same.
Eight years is a long way off; regardless I can’t see taking the plunge for a PSA product even though I live in one of the listed states (VA).
We have Peugeots here in Mexico, and they are generally stylish and project a sense of quality and taste. Many new Peugeot buyers experience issues during the warranty period, but once those are sorted out, they generally prove to be durable, reliable vehicles.
A big maybe for me, I had a 505 turbodiesel for a while and it was a nice car to drive. Best car seats ever with a nice ride and decent brakes. All of the new PSA products seem to be mass produced blobs with no more identity than the badge on it. I worry most about reliability and parts availability if they make a go of it. My fear is that they will fold like a wet cardboard box and be gone before the cars are paid off by their orphaned owners.
The idea of being able to own a new Citroen is tempting, but if it’s going to be just another CUV, I’ll pass. (Of course, if I can’t get out of Albuquerque and back to San Jose by 2026, it’s not going to matter, anyway…)
Uber and Lyft will lease cars to driver’s with insurance and all. Why not partner with them?
Uber drivers don’t really care as long as they are making money. Riders will ride in whatever picks them up. If it breaks down tow it to big centralized dealer and the driver has the option to rent another while it’s being fixed. Peugeot gets it’s cars on the road, new customers, and the parts and service issue logistics just got a whole lot easier. Why sell one at a time when you can sell 1000 at a time? If it works great, if not someone will buy the parts.
Here’s a legitimate question. I just put 340 miles on the Camry today taking the daughter out on a father/daughter loop of the Oregon Coast. Aside from great food and weather, knocking down that many miles in one day in a “boring” transportation device is actually pretty illuminating. Not all at tiring, cornering and road manners certainly exceeded any actual traffic situation encountered, gas mileage was in the high 30’s, 4 cyl hammered all the mountain roads flat without effort, the seats were supportive and the road noise was minimal. If there was anything that could have been added to the experience by another manufacturer, I couldn’t think of it offhand. Ironically, the wife kept the Charger in town today to get the windows tinted. No problemo.
I’m sure I’m not the only one. New sedan brand? Meh- Toyota’s solved this puzzle already as far as I’m concerned. (*And they didn’t always- we’ve owned three Accords in the past 3 decades).
Current Peugeots are beautiful and apparently really nice. It’s ultimately about product and reliability even if all the marketing and dealers and the rest are right. French cars left with a poor reputation for reliability, just like FIAT. FIAT being at the bottom of all ratings in the US for reliability from their reintroduction has killed them. If they were at the top it would be a whole different story.
Somehow Jeep unreliability has been overlooked because, well, Jeep. I’m surprised at how much an image of toughness has mostly cancelled out the reality. I assume the Wrangler is actually tough, just not reliable either.
This is not just about the US and Peugeot; a looming global trade war and the consequences of recent diplomatic moves are also very much at play in this story.
As pointed out in the French media, PSA are being forced to pull out of Iran (where they have a huge market share through their decades-old JV with Iran Khodro) following the US’s scuppering of the Iran deal that was made together with the Europeans. As a consequence of potential new US sanctions on Iran and on anyone (both American and foreign companies) doing any business in Iran, PSA has to let go of their JV with IKCO or risk being shut out of the US market and/or fined millions of $.
PSA think that a US comeback could end up compensating the loss of the Iranian market. Renault, who are also big in Iran, might be coming out with a similar strategy soon for the same reason.
Who knows what models they are going to field and what the competition will look like in eight years. One thing for sure: starting out in 16 states is a bad idea. Shows they’re not at all confident in their strategy. But then a lot can happen in the meantime…
Maybe those 16 states will be an independent country by then.
Renault already solved their USA puzzle. Nissan.
I´d consider buying a new Peugeot.
On my way through France down to Spain this summer I saw lots of their 3008 / 5008 SUVs. These must be selling like hot cakes.
Later this year they will launch their new flagship sedan, the 508. That one will not sell as good but it´s a beautiful design.
I agree, Monzaman, that the 508 is a beautiful looking sedan. And, as nice and popular as taller vehicles are now, there’s still some of us who prefer a great sedan. As, yes, I also recognize that some, perhaps trendy people find sedans boring.
508 Interior
I am not a fan of their instrument panel design. At least it looks like they moved the cup holders to the console.
In this test of the previous gen 508, which, imho, had a much better looking instrument panel, the tester notes at the 4:06 mark, that when you put a cup in the cup holder that pops out from the center stack, the cup blocks the view of the panel mounted touchscreen. That bit comes right after he talks about how slow response times of systems in the car are, like the parking brake that takes 2-3 seconds to turn on or off. “It’s so beautifully French” he concludes.
Cupholders are no big deal in Europe ! ,-)
508 front
looks a bit Honda Accord-ish (which we dont have in Europe)
Yes, and I think the looks will, or at least should, help generate some interest in that sedan. I very much like the looks of it. Certainly hope they’ve properly sorted out the drive, ride and handling of said vehicle. Because seems to me those are issues that could make or break a sale. And, one would hope they offer very comfortable seats. Because for me at least, that’s a very big plus. OK, to better clarify, when I say comfortable, I mean more comfortable than the average sedan
That’s what I remember about Peugeot…very comfortable seats.
We used to have another French car (Renault) 50 years ago…it was also very comfortable, with great seats.
We rented a 505 in 1985 out of Newark Airport..it was a nice car…would be nice to have european alternatives especially with disappearance of SAAB.
I’m wondering how they’d be priced…they used to be about the equivalent of Volvo for their “full sized” models.
Like others have mentioned, I’d be interested in reliability…but as I’m also approaching a “certain age” besides nice seats, I’d like a car with a nice ride, but also easy step in height (not too high nor too low)…..guess that sounds like an old style car like used to be common in the US…but I wasn’t previously that age when they were common…but with the baby boomers at or approaching that age, you would think there might be a market for such a car…but as they used to say, you can’t sell an old person’s car to a young person…and even some old people won’t buy an old person’s car.
I just hope Peugeot recalls why they pulled out of the US market in 1992 and considers what might have changed since then.
From this European’s perspective the most attractive aspects of PSA products right now is their clever low-emission petrol engines (the 1.2 PureTech most notably, which has hybrid rivalling economy and emissions) and – until this model year – the renewed originality and spark in Citroen’s styling and design.
My sister (a working eco-minded hippie-ish vegan single mum… who’d fit right in in CA or OR now I come to think of it) is currently shopping for a 2014-2018 model first gen C4 Cactus motivated by exactly these two qualities. If PSA can cook up a compelling (and probably larger) style-led hybrid line, and get back their styling nerve (i.e. this year’s disappointingly bland refresh of the C4 Cactus is a blip not a trend) then I can see them making a go of this.
That said PSA has some serious consolidation and reorganisation to sort between now and then. IMO how it handles that will determine whether this is a worthwhile punt or a disaster. Peugeot, newly acquired Opel/Vauxhall and Citroen’s sub-brand DS all currently tread on each other’s toes, and with Citroen back-pedalling back into the same design space as everyone else that’s not looking promising.
The DS “marque” might not make it to the 2020s. It is sinking in China and not exactly loved anywhere else. They might do a Scion and just rebrand them all as Citroens… or Opels…
Vauxhall might disappear very soon as well, depending (amongst other things) on the final outcome of Brexit.
Good points all. There are a fair few DS3s on the road here in Edinburgh but I can’t recall ever seeing another of their models in the metal. The whole sub-brand was kind of a weird decision…
…as is keeping Vauxhall around imo, but interestingly there’s been a big push here since the PSA buyout (ironically enough) to promote the brand’s “britishness” (don’t get me started) plenty of these posters popping up, and a similar campaign for the Insignia. Here in European Scotland it’s a real mis-step to my mind (we’re not fooled, nor did we need to be. Call them the Opels they are and be done with it) but down south I expect enough folk’s Brexit-blinkers make this a smart move and there’s a helluva lot more English “brits” (horrible word) than any other flavour after all.
Of all the small crossovers I could buy, the Peugeot 3008 is . . . another one. Like many others here, I just don’t see anything in the Peugeot, Citroen, or DS lines that jumps out at me as being better, or even much different, than what other brands already offer. And why will it take 8 years to get here?
My uncle had an early-’70s Citroen DS wagon with the side-facing rear seats that I loved riding in because of the magic-carpet ride smoothness and flat floor (I was the youngest kid of three; guess who usually had to sit in the middle). But they ditched the awesome hydropneumatic suspension a few years back, so I don’t have much reason to buy a new one.
In a way similar to the return of Alfa and Fiat. I would guess that Alfa is not doing the numbers they were hoping to do. I think this in part is because aside from the grille, the rest of their passenger cars appearance are not distinctive. On the other hand, Fiat is certainly a distinctive looking car here in the U.S. but maybe too different!!??!
I’d love to. Unfortunately, based on their stated plans (which can always get put back a few years), I’m going to be 76 years old by the time those cars get over here, and odds are I’m going to have bought what is most likely my last car shortly before these show up.
What happens when you have a break-down in a state that is not covered?
They are pretty highly rated vehicles in Europe these days but still if there were an emergency what would you do?
That was my first thought, that you could only buy one if you never drive out of state.
As mentioned above, PSA just absorbed Vauxhall/Opel. If GM couldn’t make these brands work, I think PSA’s first priority is to sort out this mess.
Don’t compound the calamity by coming to North America. I have a feeling that this is more of an ego trip, not a true expansion of market.
I can’t comment on whether I’d be interested in one of their products, not knowing a whole lot about them, but I think keeping a close eye on what goes on with Alfa Romeo over the next few years will be very telling as a litmus test for what PSA might realistically achieve here.
Alfa’s products have long been considered niche vehicles in the US, have had a long history of perceived questionable value among American consumers, were gone from the market here for a couple decades before returning, and while maybe a notch above PSA in pricing structure, are still looked at with suspicion among “average consumers” here.
By the time 2026 arrives, I’ll probably no longer be a automobile driver; as far as I’m concerned PSA irrelevant. The only French car I have owned was a Renault Encore and after that experience I do not want another French car. Based on my experience their quality is inferior to most domestic products not to mention Japanese vehicles. To have any chance of success, they are going to need an effective dealer and parts network on day one. French cars have never been terribly successful in the US due to questionable styling and perceived quality.
I just got back from a week’s business trip in Paris, and I have to say that both the larger Peugeot and Renault wagons I saw were absolutely stunning, and had manual transmissions to boot! I can’t say anything about reliability, performance, etc., of course, but visually wonderful vehicles. I’d think about it, for sure…
The Peugeot 508 (previous generation) and Renault Talisman, I suppose.
Those are D-segment cars (mid-sizers); mainstream automakers -like Renault and Peugeot- don’t build anything bigger anymore. If you think away the high-towers, as shown in the article.
Almost all D-segment sedans/hatchbacks are also offered as wagon.
I can see Maryland and VA would be on this list. There seems to be many new dealers opening around here. There is an uptick of Maserati products all around the Maryland area. Up until 2017, the only Maseratis I saw were a few TC by Maserati and some poor bastard trying to nurse a BiTurbo( Italian for shitty car)
I have seen a couple of Mexican plated Peugeots around my way. All the way from Mexico City. The van looked pretty nice.
I will look at these cars with an open mind. I know that in the in the past French cars mimicked their French owners in that they only wanted to work 3 times a week.
I hope they do better then Fiat has been doing. In a way it is sad that Fiat is not doing so well. I like the 500 and enjoy having it as a rental car.
No
Peugeot and Citroen will have to cling remora-like to an already established manufacturer to make it here. Hyundai started out on the coasts in this way, perhaps it will work.
Since Ford is getting rid of their sedans, maybe they will let P&C sell theirs at the Ford dealerships to fill that gap in the market.
2026 is quite far away though it will be here sooner than we think. Peugeot and Citroen’s distinct French character, that (pardon the expression) je ne sais quoi that made them stand out from everything else on the road, has gone and there’s nothing really exciting about their cars anymore. Renaults are also looking a bit generic and dull. It’ll be a hard sell, though, given how long they have been out of the loop.
Well we just bought an almost-new Peugeot (our second) here in New Zealand and love it! And we didn’t buy it because we already had one but because it was what best fit our criteria. If we were in the US, we’d certainly be short-listing a Peugeot or Citroen. Both brands are slightly different, slightly quirky, yet intelligent and (usually) extremely stylish inside and out. I think they could conceivably appeal to the former Saab market.
We’ve had our 2006 Peugeot 307 SW for years, turning over 200,000km this year. It’s comfy, reliable and runs faultlessly, with the exception of a transmission that’s a tad dodgy (a couple of dead relays inside it, it’s not worth fixing them).
When we bought our second Peugeot early this year, we didn’t deliberately set out to buy one. We wanted a Subaru Outback-type 4wd lifted-wagon that was spacious and economical, stylish and luxurious, a little different from the mainstream but great to drive, but above all subtle and not flashy. We looked at a wide variety of makes and models, but the one that best filled our criteria was a Peugeot 508 RXH 4wd station wagon, a rather fascinating diesel-electric hybrid. So long story short, we bought it because it was the best for our wants and needs.
PSA’s current range in New Zealand is full of vehicles like our 508 – ostensibly mainstream, but different enough and stylish enough to appeal to those who want something a little different. I’m sure that’s something that would appeal to a number of US buyers!
Here’s our 508 alongside our old 307 (which we’ve kept as a runaround):
We need a COAL on this! This is a car I want to learn more about and which is truly fascinating.
Agreed! Come on Scott, please write a full article, with lots of pictures!
Well it’s been a year or three since I last had time to write for CC, due to major life changes (new partner, job challenges, and last year, moving to a new town and establishing a new business). But I still read CC daily and am still finding and photographing interesting cars, so I hope to have time to start writing again soon. When I do, the 508 will be the first article! 🙂
Good! I always enjoyed your articles.
Yes, I do think the current 508 looks like a very nice wagon.
Hopefully by then they will have gone away from the i-Cockpit concept. Apart from that the cars are impressively light at the moment and seem well-designed and efficient.
They seem to have a well-defined plan for a staged return – here is an interview with the North American CEO: http://www.autoline.tv/journal/?p=55853
We bought this Citroen C3 AirCross recently and so far it’s proved to be quiet, reliable and supremely usable (and as it’s 3-cylinder, it makes a lovely noise too!). It took a hefty knock to the driver’s side two weeks ago and you wouldn’t even know, as the plastic arch trims protected the bodywork. The young girl who hit me, her car came off much worse than mine. Typically, it happened just before we went on holiday, so it’ll need to go in for my insurance company to do a check on the suspension when we get home.
I’m American living in Ireland. When we moved here 3 years ago I was excited at all of my new car choices and Peugeot was at the top of my list. I drove and researched Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, Opel and more…what did I buy? Toyota.
No
I only drive domestic brands because it is good for our economy, good for the environment, good for our unions and damn good vehicles anyway.
Highly doubtful. Probably won’t be buying another vehicle at all at this point, but if circumstances require a replacement vehicle used with good parts and service available close by would rule out a new limited network vehicle.
Now if I can just remember where the opening to the cave is…
“Ya gotta have a gimmick” probably doesn’t translate to French too well but it should utter it incessantly at PSA corporate before undertaking a return. They all just seem blah. What’s the point of sellling another bland SUV here? Certainly the Picasso, Cactus have a bit of spunk but Peugeot is a complete snore. Who knows in eight years but I’d say it’s foolish without a p.o.v. like: small luxury/French crazy-gutsy style/6wd/hovercraft/whatever but bring something new or don’t bother.