02.02.2011
BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citron Create Joint Venture to Enhance Cooperation on Hybrid Technologies
The joint venture will focus on developing and producing hybrid components, a fast-growing sector
Cooperation will leverage significant economies of scale
Munich/Paris. The BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citron have decided to enter into a new phase of their collaboration, by signing an agreement to set up a 50-50 equity joint venture named BMW Peugeot Citron Electrification. The agreement was signed on February 1st by Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, and Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citron. In October 2010, the two companies had signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to expand their existing cooperation to hybrid systems.
BMW Peugeot Citron Electrification will focus on developing and producing hybrid components, including battery packs, E-machines, generators, power electronics and chargers, while also developing software for hybrid systems. Joint research and development, production and component purchasing will leverage significant economies of scale for both companies.
First and foremost, this initiative of BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citron aims to develop standard hybrid components for the electrification of their vehicle ranges. Its goal is also to create an open European platform on those technologies that will help the European industry to structure itself in the field of hybridization. To that extent, the joint venture will both integrate suppliers by outsourcing development work and could sell hybrid components to other companies beside its two shareholders.
Subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities, the joint venture is expected to launch its operations in the second quarter of 2011. The new hybrid components will equip both partners vehicles from 2014 onwards.
The joint ventures management, as well as the rest of its workforce, will be drawn from employees of both companies. Additional external staff will also be hired. The key management positions will be equally shared among the two companies. Wolfgang Gllich, currently responsible for BMW Groups Purchasing Strategy, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer of BMW Peugeot Citron Electrification, and Jean Leflour, currently Director Customer Satisfaction and Quality Planning at PSA Peugeot Citron, will be appointed Managing Director.
This cooperative venture will enable us to achieve significant economies of scale in the field of electrification. It also represents an important step on the road to sustainable mobility, said Norbert Reithofer. With this joint venture, we are sure to develop and expand our expertise and to build a European leader in the field of automotive hybrid innovation, noted Philippe Varin.
The BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citron have been successfully cooperating on engines for several years, building together more than 1.8 million units from 2006 to 2010. In February 2010, the two companies agreed to develop the next generation of their jointly designed 4-cylinder petrol engine, which will also meet EU 6 requirements. The joint engine is currently built into a number of MINI, Peugeot and Citron brand models.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Jan.Ehlen@bmw.de, Business Communications
Telephone: +49 89 382-28044
Marc.Hassinger@bmw.de, Business and Finance Communications
Telephone: +49 89 382-23362
Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com
Email: presse@bmw.de
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The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
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