As part of the energy transition process and in line with the technological offensive spelled out in its Push to Pass strategic plan, PSA Group said it was firmly focused on diversifying its technological offering with plug-in hybrid petrol engines and next-generation electric powertrains, which will be used in particular to equip e-CMP, its future electric platform developed in partnership with Dongfeng Motors.
At the same time, the group will continue to develop next-generation internal combustion engines, both petrol and diesel.
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For strategic reasons, PSA Group has decided to manufacture the main electric powertrain components in France, signalling its determination to develop high-tech operations in profitable niche markets. The electric powertrain will be produced at the Trémery/Metz 'centre of excellence' while the gear systems will be manufactured at the Valenciennes plant.
PSA Group has also decided to fit its plug-in hybrid petrol vehicles with engines produced at the Française de Mécanique facility in Douvrin, France.
To meet growing demand for petrol engines, the group plans to double production in France, by 2019, of its three-cylinder EB Turbo PureTech petrol engine, which in 2015 was named engine of the year in its category by an international jury.
The Douvrin and Trémery plants will produce 350,000 additional turbo petrol engines in 2018, lifting potential output to 670,000 units. As a result of these investments, Trémery is set to become the group's most diversified engine plant, capable of manufacturing petrol, diesel and electric powertrains.
In addition, to increase its capacity to produce three-cylinder petrol engines and move production as close to consumers as possible, PSA will install an EB module at the Trnava, Slovakia plant in 2019. This will enable it to meet rising demand for petrol engines on entry-level vehicles.
These various decisions form part of the group's technological drive to modernise its plants and prepare for the energy transition.
Gilles Le Borgne, executive vice-president, research & development said: "We will be launching an unprecedented technological offensive as part of the Push to Pass plan, to provide our customers with an attractive offering of sustainable mobility solutions and maintain our lead in terms of pollutant emissions reduction, with seven plug-in hybrids and four other new electric vehicles scheduled for launch by 2021, in addition to our flagship engine models."
