In a neat bit of quid pro quo, PSA Peugeot-Citroen is to supply Mitsubishi Motors Corporation with 2.2-litre common-rail, direct-injection diesel engines from mid 2007.
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The engines will go into both Mitsubishi’s new Outlander crossover and the versions the Japanese automaker is making for sale under PSA’s Citroen and Peugeot brands from mid-year.
Mitsubishi launches the Outlander in Europe this month and will add a new diesel version powered by the 2.2-litre PSA diesel later in the year.
A Mitsubishi Europe spokesman stressed the PSA engine would supplement, rather than replace, the also-bought-in Volkswagen two-litre turbodiesel available from launch.
“Europe is a very strong diesel market and this will give us two engines to offer – a medium power and a high-power alternative,” he noted.
The Outlander-based Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser will be launched in mid-year.
The engine supply agreement was not in the original plan that led to MMC supplying derivatives of its new crossover model to PSA.
“[It] means that the two companies extend their operational ties into the field of component supply. This highlights the good relationship of the two groups,” MMC said in a statement, adding: “Mitsubishi Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen will pursue their cooperation strategy in “win-win” areas.
Mitsubishi last week announced at the Detroit motor show that it is developing a new diesel engine to meet tough new US emissions rules. Due out there in the Lancer there in 2010, it is based on a turbodiesel being developed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the European market.
Graeme Roberts
