The PSA Group is happy to let its individual brands pursue their electrification plans in the ways that they see best fit.
According to the company’s director of low-emission vehicles, Anne-Lise Richard, brands such as DS, Peugeot, and Vauxhall/Opel have the option of whether they want to pursue hybrid or all-electric versions of their models, in particular their C-segment cars.
“Inside PSA, the C-segment cars can be produced in two platforms, either eCMP or EMP2, so those brands could have the choice of going full-electric or plug-in hybrid,” Richard told Autocar. “It’s more of a brand decision to choose which is the best one.”
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Richard added that vehicles competing in the C-segment are well suited for both hybrid and electric powertrains.
“The C-segment is really in the middle. It can have many profiles: sometimes it’s the only car [in the household], sometimes not. Currently, both EVs and plug-in hybrids are suited [to the segment] and could find customers.”
One of the most important C-segment cars from the PSA Group will be the next-generation Peugeot 308, tipped to launch in 2022. This new model will ride on an updated version of the car’s existing EMP2 platform and be sold with at least two plug-in hybrid options.
By comparison, Citroen is expected to sell its upcoming all-new C-segment car in all-electric guise, alongside more traditional petrol and diesel options.
Richard commented that “there’s room for smaller cars [A-segment models] to be electrified”, but admitted it is difficult to strike the right balance between price and range.
