The French government is denying that it plans to acquire a stake in PSA, but France’s Prime Minister told reporters that mechanisms for providing government assistance have already been vetted.
At a time of high unemployment and factory closures across France, the fate of PSA is a sensitive one. PSA’s sales have been tanking, hampered by an uncompetitive product line, falling car sales in Europe and a lack of low-cost product to compete in emerging markets.
Peugeot has already cut 8,00 jobs in the country as part of its plan to break even by 2014. But the company’s losses, estimated at 200 million euros a month. Amid an announcement of a $5.53 billion writedown, French politicians began going on the offensive regarding PSA, with the country’s budget minister declaring that “Let’s be clear: this company cannot, must not disappear”.
French PM Jean-Marc Ayrault told Reuters that a more detailed plan had already been drawn up, while simultaneously denying that any action would be taken at this point
“We do have a tool, the FSI (France’s sovereign-wealth fund), which can if necessary take a stake. But today this question is not being looked at,”
Ironically, Peugeot, unlike its rival Renault, is entirely owned by private actors, while the French government owns a 15 percent stake in Renault. But that could change quickly given the way things are progressing.
France to PSA: “We got that”
EU to France: “There seems to be a problem with your credit card sir”
With France being the 2nd biggest economy in Europe it would more likely be the other way round. “Sorry EU, we have a motor industry we would like to keep afloat”.
Mostly it will be Germany that has the hissy fit.
The French have a long history of bailing out their motor industry. All 3 of the main manufacturers have been owned by the French government at some point in their long history.
France has a long history of government holdings in a lot of big companies. The Economist had an article a few months ago on this:
http://www.economist.com/news/business/21565629-france-and-germany-lead-revival-state-intervention-big-brother-back
Not like Germany hasn’t had a history of partial ownership of German automakers as well.
with banks bailed out in Europe as lately as last year without EU complaints, why not PSA as well?
This will clearly solve all PSAs problems
Of course. Look at the huge market in Mali!
Well the US did bail out GM, so I hope that the French can do the same for PSA if necessary. I live in Rennes where one of the PSA plants is located. It’s a pretty important part of the local economy.
PSA did make some pretty silly decisions. The C6, is a great car, but they only ended up making 6 a day on the one line for that car which was geared for a hundred or more. Hopefully they can stay afloat.
Peugeot has dulled the edge off Citroen. While Citroen has become Peugeot-like. Collectively PSA can’t find the path. Ayrault (who gives a merde for PSA or taxpayers,) should provide the rock upon which one may build its tomb.
Bring Peugeot to the USA and I’ll trade my beloved Golf so quick the moment the first one hits the shore. Oh, wait a second… I’m be the only one…
You’re not alone, I have been thinking this for so long, so I will second.