Peugeot Citroen, Europe's second largest car maker is planning to enter the Indian market with its range of small cars and mid-segment sedans again. Peugeot is scouting for various options in India and has held negotiations with various automobile bodies like the Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM), Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) and various component makers from southern India. The group has 5.2% share of the global automobile market and controls 14% market share in Europe, and now looking at workable options in India. Peugeot being a French carmaker has always been known for artistic styling and brilliant attention to details.
The company was present during the Auto Expo recently held at New Delhi in January to take a close look and study the vibrant Indian automobile industry, but they did not displayed any of their products. The biggest names in the global business are already here and others like Volkswagen and Nissan are in the queue.
Peugeot has spilled its bean not only in developed countries but also in countries like Iran, South Africa and China in recent years. Not to mention, how huge is its emergence in these countries.
The French car maker comeback into Indian market may prove to be a success. Time to tango! PeugeotÃ???s joint venture with the age old Doshi family, the makers of Premier Padmini, in 1995 to make the Peugeot 309 range of vehicles in India.
WellÃ??? though the car was quite capable and best for Indian conditions, Doshis couldnÃ???t sustain the French friendship, the venture stint was for less than three year. The reasons for this were labour trouble, plant lockout and shortage of kits. That was the end of mid-segment sedan Peugeot 309 and finally a showdown of the plant after a legal battle with the Indian partner Doshis. The company was among the earliest multinationals to enter the country in 1993-94 and the first to shut down in 1997.
Out of its international lineup, the Peugeot 107 mini hatchback, 206 and 207 hatches seem like possible prospects for India along with the 407 sedan.
