Uh.........no.
Posted on 04/18/2003 12:41:50 PM PDT by COBOL2Java
Maybe it's a matter of respect. Sooner or later you have to go up against the best if you want to be taken seriously.
That could be one reason France's Peugeot finally is eyeing a return to the United States -- the world's most competitive automotive market.
Since facing down poor quality and productivity issues in the late 1990s, Peugeot has been on a tear. Its once vastly underutilized factories now are operating at an overheated pace to meet demand in Western Europe, where it has picked up a full point of market penetration in the last year alone. In the still-emerging markets of Central Europe, Peugeot has gained more than seven points of share since 1998.
Absent from America since it sold its last 405 sedan in 1992, Peugeot says it has reached the point in its remarkable comeback where it may not be able to overlook the United States much longer.
"We are now the sixth largest manufacturer in the world," Peugeot Chairman Jean-Martin Folz says. "If we want to look at areas of future growth, we cannot ignore the fact the U.S. is the largest car market.
"And pretending we would never get interested in the U.S. would be preposterous."
Studies are under way so that Peugeot will have a better understanding of U.S. regulatory standards and what type of vehicles and features American consumers want before setting any plans.
There is no timetable for coming to the United States. But Folz says not to rule out sooner rather than later.
"We are launching new-generation products every year, so you never know," he says. "Maybe we have some products coming right now that would meet American standards."
Peugeot is targeting a 20percent increase in global vehicle sales to 4 million units by 2006, up from an expected 3.35 million in 2003.
To reach its goal, 26 new or revamped vehicles will be introduced over the next four years, and it's possible some of those could find a following here.
But its U.S. return probably hinges as much on production capacity as it does on finding the right product. Peugeot assembly plants have been running at 117 percent of capacity, so the automaker is unlikely to divert attention to the United States much before 2005-2006, when a couple of new factories are up and running in Central Europe.
Folz isn't saying what's on the drawing board that might make a good fit for the United States. But he says he doesn't believe Peugeot needs pickups or SUVs to compete.
"Clearly light trucks are significant, but there also are cars (being sold in the United States)," he says.
As for the current flap with France over the war in Iraq, Folz says that won't influence Peugeot's decision to return to America, or whether it's successful once it arrives.
"As a car manufacturer, we have no political opinion, clearly," he says. Besides, by the time Peugeot makes its move, the tensions will be over, he adds. "At least I hope so."
You stupid stupid frogs.
Uh.........no.
Only problem is that 30% of French wanted Saddam to win. The folk who manage and work at Peugeot are these same French who hoped Saddam would win, if this statistic follows through in the company.
Do Peugeot's stockholders know this brain donor is making business decisions for them?
Maybe those very French-like boys down in San FranFreakso will buy a few.
Only if they're electric, like the rest of their toys.
Regards, Ivan
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