Peugeot Increases 2008 Production One More Time

The Peugeot 2008 is proving to be a commercial success, so much so that the carmaker announced a new production increase at the Mulhouse plant in France.

Meet the Cars With a Five-Star Rating in EuroNCAP's Latest Tests [w/Videos]

We’ve seen the cars that achieved a four-star rating, now it’s time to meet the best performers of EuroNCAP’s latest crash-test session. Six cars were awarded the maximum five-star rating: Ford Tourneo Connect, Infiniti Q50, Maserati Ghibli, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Peugeot 308.

Both luxury cars tested, the Infiniti Q50 and Maserati Ghibli, offered good overall protection. The Infiniti scored 86 percent for adult occupants, 85 percent for child occupants and 67 percent for pedestrians. The Japanese model also received an 81-percent rating for safety assist.

Just tested by the IIHS, the Ghibli was awarded the highest score (95 percent) for adult occupant protection of the 11 cars assessed by EuroNCAP. Child occupant protection was rated at 79 percent, pedestrian protection at 74 percent and safety assist at 81 percent.

EuroNCAP gave good ratings to both compact cars tested, the Mazda3 and Peugeot 308. The Japanese car scored 93 percent for adult occupant protection; 86 percent for child occupant, 65 percent for pedestrian and 81 percent for its safety assist systems. The Peugeot got a 92 percent rating for protection offered to adult occupants, 79 percent for child occupants, 64 for pedestrians and 81 percent for safety assist.

The Ford Tourneo Connect passenger van was equally impressive, with a 94 percent rating for adult occupant protection, 85 percent for child occupant protection, 62 percent for pedestrians and 70 percent for safety assist.

Finally, EuroNCAP also awarded five stars to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which was rated 88 percent for adult occupant protection, 84 percent for child occupant, 64 percent for pedestrian and 81 percent for safety assist.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Official: PSA Hires Renault's Ex-COO Carlos Tavares to Lead Company in 2014

French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroën has made an official announcement on the nomination of former Renault executive Carlos Tavares to its Managing Board from January 1, 2014, before he takes over as CEO later in the year replacing 61-year old Philippe Varin, who plans to retire in 2014.

Tavares, who left his position as Renault’s chief operating officer just this past August after more than three decades with the French company and its Japanese affiliate Nissan, will have the daunting task of fixing PSA's troublesome finances during a recession in its home market of Europe, while also expanding the automaker's operations in other regions.

Thierry Peugeot, President of the Supervisory Board, stated : "By chosing Carlos Tavares, reknowned automotive industry professional, to succeed Philippe Varin in 2014, the Supervisory Board ensures that the strategy of recovery and development to overcome the current crisis, a strategy that has been carried out for several years, will continue to be executed over the long term."

In the same statement, PSA said that Varin will remain at the helm of the company during the transition:

"During this period Philippe Varin will continue his mission as President of the Managing Board, in particular with the responsibility of carrying out strategic discussions begun with the various partners. Carlos Tavares will begin his induction into the company and its challenges, and will work with the Managing Board on the action plans aimed at continuing the recovery of the Group."

By partners, we suspect that PSA means the ongoing talks it has China's Dongfeng Motor to grow their existing collaboration, as well as with GM, albeit for the opposite reasons…

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Former Renault COO Tavares May Run PSA from 2014, Say Rumors

Renault’s former COO, Carlos Tavares, will apparently not be spending too much time on the automotive industry sideline, as he is reportedly going to head PSA Peugeot-Citroen as of next year.

If the report proves true, Tavares would first serve under the leadership of the current first executive of the company, Philippe Varin, then take full control as the latter steps down in 2014.

Bloomberg says the information is almost official, but that it has yet to be confirmed in an official manner.

Tavares will be PSA’s third CEO in seven years, a period when the French automaker’s offerings have not been the most enticing, and even now, aside from the RC-Z and 208 GTi, it’s really hard to want any of their cars as more than adequate transportation…

Even the much talked about all-new 308 is nowhere near as good as it could have been, and it’s as if they are unable to make a well-rounded car that not only looks good or has quirky styling features – their most recent cars have even lost that, yet are not any better at the practical side (or quality for that matter).

Hopefully, this will bring about positive change within PSA, otherwise they are in serious trouble when it comes to short- to mid-term future prospects.

By Andrei Nedelea

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