Groupe PSA, ranked as Europe’s second largest carmaker, has emerged from a process of a profound transformation, aiming at becoming a global car manufacturer on the cutting edge of efficiency. In the first half of 2018, the group achieved a record-breaking number of units sold globally, generating a 40 per cent increase in revenues. Pierre-Olivier Salmon, Head of Corporate Information, spoke about the company’s recent developments and its plans for the future.
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eadquartered in Rueil-Malmaison, Groupe PSA is a French multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands. Peugeot is the largest PSA brand worldwide in Europe. Following a difficult period, in April 2014, one month after Carlos Tavares was appointed CEO, Groupe PSA launched a strategic plan to drive its turnaround and become profitable again. It was completed by end of 2015, ahead of schedule, and the ‘Push to Pass’ strategic plan launched in 2016 accelerated the positive transformation of the company. “The deep transformation of the company, driven by a performance-oriented mind-set, has been the most notable achievement of the last few years. Coming from a near-death experience, the company is now becoming one of the most competitive and agile companies of the automotive Industry,” Mr Salmon affirms. 82 Industry Europe
“In 2017, Groupe PSA bought Opel-Vauxhall’s business, which was regularly generating losses for years. The Opel-Vauxhall turnaround is now on track and results of the first half of 2018 show first positive figures and improvement in performance. This is just the beginning but again, there is evidence of a profound transformation driven by all teams.”
Stronger together Mr Salmon pointed out that the success has been aided by solid partnerships – be it for the development of activities in new geographical areas (specifically in China and India), acquiring the best technologies from leading brands or partnerships on specific projects, aiming at enhanced offerings. The value of partnerships has been duly recognised: on 26 June, for the 14th consecutive year, Groupe PSA awarded its suppliers at
