PSA Group is testing components for Smart Car 1 project under 208 body and it is one of three new cars based on CMP platform
PSA Group is finally coming to India and this time the company is taking a different approach as they will enter with Citroen brand. The first model to be launched in India will be C5 Aircross SUV, which will compete in the premium SUV segment and top to down approach will help the company to establish a premium brand image in Indian market.
The company is working on ‘Smart Car’ project and it is based on Common Modular Platform (CMP). This new platform was developed with China’s Dongfeng Motors. PSA Group ‘Smart Car’ project has three products – Smart Car 1, Smart Car 2 and Smart 3 in which Smart Car 1 is going to compete against Hyundai Elite i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno.
The Smart Car 2 is going to be a compact SUV to rival Hyundai Creta and Smart Car 3 will be a C-Segment sedan to rival Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. Team-BHP recently published a spy image of Peugeot 208 testing in India and this is not the first time the test mule has been spotted in public roads.
PSA Group is testing components for Smart Car 1 project under 208 body as it will help the company to study our roads. But the new model is currently in its early stage and we could expect the production model to debut by the end of this decade. These products will be manufactured in India and exported to global markets.
The company is setting up two plants in India as one for manufacturing and assembly of new products, while the second one will be for engine and gearbox. The construction of engine manufacturing plant has already began and it can produce 2,00,000 units per year initially, which can be increased in future.
The new C5 Aircross made its debut earlier this year and the company is going to assemble the SUV in India to keep price down as CKD kits will come from France. We can expect Citroen to price C5 Aircross aggressively against competition as Kia and MG Motors are also planning to enter Indian market next year.