The name of the new group is "Light with Stars"
Recently, PSA and FCA*** both announced that the merged enterprise of the two groups will be named "STELLANTIS". This is ... derived from a Latin word. Understandably, after all, French and Italian belong to the Latin family, and the naming method of the Latin family is understandable. According to the official explanation, the name comes from the Latin word "stello", which means "light with stars", which means that the merger of the two groups will have a far-reaching impact on the world automobile industry pattern ... from a romantic Latin country, it is so confident, or "proud".
PSA and FCA still have their pride in some areas. For example, the European minivan market is basically occupied by Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat. As a result of this merger, the EU antitrust regulators investigated their share in the European minivan market and expressed concern. Therefore, PSA and FCA have to try to reorganize this part of the business to avoid monopoly punishment.
The merger plan of the two groups will not be formally completed until the first quarter of 20021. To tell the truth, the "romantic" French and the "unrestrained" Italian seem to have one thing in common-not very reliable. Fans who are familiar with F 1 should know that Renault and Ferrari often do some unreliable things in F 1 races now. For example, in order to "gas" Red Bull, Renault poached the main driver of Red Bull with an annual salary of 26.5 million pounds under the premise of financial difficulties. There is also Ferrari. After the start of a race interrupted by an accident, their technicians forgot to give the driver the steering wheel after starting the car.
In football, France and Italy are also famous "sworn enemies". France narrowly beat Italy in the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Cup. Later, in the 2006 World Cup final, Italy finally got revenge. PSA and FCA seem to have passed their honeymoon period and started to make trouble after breaking through layers of obstacles under the influence of this year's epidemic. It is said that PSA recently held a general meeting of shareholders, and some shareholders called on the Group to change the merger terms with FCA. After the outbreak, FCA's financial performance became worse and worse, so some shareholders opposed the 50:50 share ratio distribution between the two groups. Finally, Carlos Tavares, the "bearer" of PSA, stepped forward to settle the shareholders.
13 can the collection of "minority brands" become "Saiyan people"
Throughout the world's top car companies, it seems that apart from Toyota, others are more in the form of groups or alliances. According to the information released by PSA and FCA last year, after the merger of the two groups, the annual sales will reach 8.7 million vehicles, and the combined revenue will be about 654.38+07 billion euros. This will become the fourth largest automobile group in the world after Volkswagen Group, Toyota and Renault-Nissan Alliance. I have roughly calculated that these two groups can play 13 cards. PSA acquired Opel before, adding Opel and vauxhall on the basis of Peugeot, Citroen and DS. FCA includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, Abbas, Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. It should be noted that Ferrari has become an independent FCA as early as 20 16, so the merger of PSA and FCA will not affect Ferrari.
Although in our opinion, the sales of PSA and FCA in China market in one year may not be as good as that of a hot-selling model in one month. But combining these "minority brands" of 13 may really become "Saiyan". Let's look at PSA first. The sales and influence of Peugeot and Citroen in Europe are still considerable, and their accomplishments in manufacturing hatchbacks are almost unparalleled. In addition, the adjustment of torsion beam and multi-link also has great skills. With Citroen's own "magic carpet" suspension, PSA models can be guaranteed to have strong chassis skills below C-class cars. Coupled with the acquisition of Opel, the Epsilon platform and turbocharged engine technology of GM B-class cars are basically from Opel. And Opel has a patent for Watt connecting rod. Imagine two independent suspension adjustment masters working together ... but it is estimated that having a new car in the future has nothing to do with the China market.
Next is the FCA. Although Chrysler has gradually faded out of the China market in recent years, its technical strength is still there. With the rear-drive platform, if it can cooperate with the latest turbocharged engine and gearbox, Chrysler will still be competitive in re-attacking the China market in the future. After all, Chrysler's brand image is on the high side, and there is still a lot of room for growth in the luxury car market in China. Fiat used to have a good time in China, but even if it enters the China market again in the future, I'm afraid the result will be similar to Peugeot and Citroen, and good cars will not be popular. If you don't control the quality a little bit, you will immediately brand a lot of small problems in the hearts of consumers. To tell the truth, it is really difficult for the French and Italians to control the quality system.
FCA has many "sentimental" cars, which actually have great influence in some specific fields in China. For example, Dodge Challenger, Ram Pickup, Jeep Shepherd, those who play muscle cars, pickups and hard-core cross-country can all find a "home". Alfa Romeo also sold a lot at a discount before, but the car price of 200 thousand Maserati maintenance fee is really touching. Such an "Italian style" brand has made many famous car critics plant grass, so it is difficult for you to define it by the absolute standard of "good or bad". Not to mention Abbas and Lancia, they basically exist in the game, but what should FCA do if it wants to return to the rally in the future? Finally, there is Maserati, which was once ridiculed by netizens as "the super-running brand with the worst technical strength". This year will bring MC20, a super-run that pays tribute to MC 12. Maserati will come up with perhaps the strongest 3.0T engine at present.
The circle of friends said:?
Of course, now that 2020 is over half, PSA and FCA cannot be blinded by the glory of the past. New energy is the focus of future cooperation between PSA and FCA. After all, the planning and integration of the two technologies in the traditional field should still be able to increase sales in the post-epidemic period, but at present many brands are focusing on five years later. As early as two years ago, these two groups have actually invested a lot of money in the field of new energy.
Last year, PSA planned that its five brands would launch 65,438+05 pure electric and hybrid vehicles within two years. At present, PSA has also begun to launch new energy vehicles in China. FCA released the plan for the next five years on 20 18, with the emphasis on electrification transformation. It also invested $4.5 billion to build several new factories to produce new energy vehicles. Maserati's upcoming MC20 supercar is also equipped with a hybrid system.
However, PSA and FCA occupy the fourth largest automobile group through merger. But look at the top three, or GM, Hyundai Kia and so on. Behind it, which one didn't grasp the trend of China market? Therefore, if the sales volume in China cannot be revived in the next three years, and the sales volume in Europe and the United States continues to decline due to the epidemic and economic impact, it may be difficult for Starlight Group to call itself the "Four Kings" in the future.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.