Bernie:
What makes you so sure that Peugeot will never try to play in the North American market again? It's pretty obvious that they'll surely try again, and probably not too many years from now. I don't necessarily agree that just because they don't compete in N. America that they cannot be considered a 'worldclass competitor'. Of course, if they were competing here, they wouldn't necessarily be successful, yet still considered
to be participating in this market. I think a truer gauge of how successful a company is and whether they should be considered 'world-class' would include these elements:
1.) company's global ranking as to volume output
2.) company's financial health, including return on investment for shareholders
3.) strength of company's product line
4.) reputation of company within automotive industry
5.) company's relationships (or lack thereof) with other auto companies and/or suppliers in forging alliances in developing components, chassis, etc.
6.) company's willingness to take necessary gambles in a fast-paced, consolidating industry
7.) how well company's products are liked by customers (and yes, journalists, too)
These are just a few parameters I deem relevant when determining just how 'world-class' an auto company can be considered to be.
As to #1, I think PSA has that covered. They're one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world, well within the top-10, manufacturing over 2 million vehicles a year.
Number 2, PSA also has that well covered--the financial community holds the company's stock in high esteem and the company has been exceedingly healthy now for the greater part of the past decade, for the most part. Things in this area have gotten really good recently, though.
Number 3 is also a characteristic of PSA; their cars are generally well regarded and considered to be very strong for a mass maker.
Number 4, PSA's reputation is also positive within the industry. Competitors themselves often have complimented the firm's cars. That said, the French are the French, and their reputation for 'being difficult' is probably mostly a remnant of the past. They're living in the real world too, not as insulated as they once were.
Number 5 is very strong for PSA. They've got diesel engine deals going with Ford, shared chassis deals with Fiat, co-development projects with Renault (engines and transmissions, I believe....not entirely sure, but they do work closely on projects with Renault), they've also got joint projects with GM (light commercial vehicles), and work very closely with many top-notch suppliers in developing new technologies, i.e.,
Delphi, Valeo, Faurecia, etc., etc.
PSA is not so strong on point 6, they've always been a very conservative company. However, recent signs point to them coming out of their shell. Citroen is supposedly going to be jazzed up again like the marque used to be. The company's newer models are also more 'out there' than what had come to be expected just a few years ago. PSA, like most other companies, is realizing that boring status-quo is likely a recipe for
lagging sales. So I look for more pizzass in this area......even if it's perhaps not readily apparent at the moment.
On point 7, I think it's safe to say that most customers tend to like their Peugeots or Citroens. The newer models are less trouble-prone than maybe some of the older models during the 'dark years' of sparse quality-control and rampant cost-savings at the expense of sound engineering. As with any other make, there will always be dissatisfied owners that will never buy one again, however, I don't think PSA truly has this
problem, because if they did I don't see how their sales figures would be continually rising in such a competitive marketplace. Oh, and journalists generally rate the cars highly, too. They nit-pick like auto journalists always do (and as some owners will do as well), but overall I think that today, French cars are not thought of as the horrible things they once were considered to be, especially by those that have
first-hand contact with them.
I'm sure other points could be thought of which could also help determine whether a company is truly 'world-class'.....but I think my 7 points above are a good foundation for this task. While I am a PSA supporter, I have tried to be fair and objective in my summations of how strong PSA is in the above 7 areas. They are surely not perfect and lag just a bit in a couple, but at the end of the day, it seems pretty clear to
me that PSA can indeed be considered a 'world-class' automobile company. I guess it's also got something to do with one's own unique perspective and opinion, but following the more objective guidelines I've set forth above, I don't see how it can be argued that PSA is somehow 'too late' in the game of being a world competitor. In fact, it could be that the Lion is only now waking and a greater roar will be heard in due
time.
And by the way, I still don't see how a visit to your local Toyota dealer with stars in your eyes over the Prius (imagine that?! lol) can somehow compel you to summarily state that PSA has no chance. Basically, I think this type of statement only tends to relegate your arguments against PSA as, at best, misguided.....and at worst, inflammatory.
All this is just my opinion of course, and anyone that agrees with me....fine. If not, well that's OK too. However, I don't think I'm too far off course here. I'd like to see PSA once again here in North America. I figure that if they don't get over here quick I'll probably have the opportunity to buy something produced by Renault in short-order. All the signs are there.........
--Brian O.
Bernard Kaye wrote:
> Brian, Its too late for Peugeot to be a world-class competitor or participant, though their engineering, including safety, intentions and results are more than good. They can not go it alone in the United States and not being in the United States precludes being a world class competitor or participant. Its only my opinion, reinforced by a visit with the Prius and Toyota's marketing capabilities. Regards to all. Bernie
>
>
> From: Brian <boz@t-three.com>
> To: Peugeot List <peugeot-l@eGroups.com>
> Sent: January 3, 2001 6:28:21 AM GMT
> Subject: [Peugeot-L] Peugeot Car Crashes
>
> Bernard Kaye wrote:
> "Peter, Peugeot has been chasing auto accidents for many, many years.
> PSA is
> several "companies" wrapped in one corporation without an overall
> mission
> in an industry that requires an overall mission. Not you, not anyone on
> the
> List, but all of you, please go to your nearest Toyota dealer and
> inspect a
> Prius. It will outrun nothing but in several areas of use it will
> out-perform everything, and please note the quality and the warranties.
> Happy New Year, Bernie"
>
> For the life of me, I'm puzzled as to what this statement is intended to
> convey........surely I'm not alone here.......
> --Brian O.
>
> Recommended format for your email subject lines:
> Model # [Model Letters] Year Subject
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu 04 Jan 2001 - 01:17:51 UTC