Currently reading: PSA chairman Carlos Tavares on the group's next steps
PSA’s boss gives Autocar a frank assessment of the challenges facing the motoring industry

As head of the PSA Group, which comprises Citroën, DS, Peugeot and Vauxhall/Opel, Carlos Tavares is one of the most powerful figures in the car industry. 

Tavares also serves as chairman of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), so his views on a variety of issues have a major impact on the industry. 

Autocar caught up with Tavares on a range of topics, including PSA’s recent restructure, Vauxhall’s turnaround and his thoughts on new, tougher European Union CO2 targets. 

Tavares 1781a

There are reports you need to cut 100,000 jobs because of the cost of meeting emission regulations. Is that true?

“This is fake news. But more than 20,000 jobs have been shed over the past three months [across the European car industry]. 

“Electromobility is costly. When we’re faced with significant cost, it leads to increased prices and clean emissions become elitist. We either sell fewer cars or get fined [for missing EU emission targets]. So we have to restructure, or sell at a loss to hit the EU targets.”

Why are low-emission cars so expensive? 

“The cost of batteries is not competitive. If you push the supply of batteries to Asia, the price goes up. The [EU] rules should coincide with the introduction of a European battery maker. It’s not coordinated or planned strategically. Where is the charging network investment? It’s not a 360deg approach and there’s a lack of rigorous planning. This is serious stuff – the EVs are there and for sale. These are €30,000 (£26,000) vehicles, and there’s no decent charging network. This problem is not all about the car makers.” 

Tavares 1784d

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What is your view on the EU emission regulations introduced in October last year, requiring fleet average CO2 emissions to be reduced by 45% from 2020 levels by 2030? 

“We are being held hostage by the October vote. An impact study for this doesn’t even exist. We need to protect the competitiveness of our industry. At PSA, we will survive and adapt. But when the EU moves in a speedy way, what happens to the ecosystem of partners, suppliers and dealers? If you shift suddenly, something is going to break. People are not aware of the consequences. 

“Around 40% of the total cost of an EV will move to Asia [due to batteries sourced there]. Did the EU have a mandate to send jobs to Asia? We need strategic coordination. Asking these questions is not pushing back against the regulations. Who has the big picture in mind? Where are the charging networks? What about well-to-wheel CO2? What if a different technology comes in, such as hydrogen? The money is then wasted.” 

Is PSA considering any partnerships? 

“We’re not looking for any. We’re generating the cashflow necessary to pay for our future – we can make enough money. But if the opportunity comes, we will consider it.” 

Tavares 1783c

What might create those opportunities? 

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“There’s going to be chaos between now and 2030. Conditions are going to be extremely selective – not all manufacturers will survive the Darwinism, not all will master the EV track. It’s extremely exciting because the competition is going to be extremely selective. That will create opportunities for deals.” 

How have you turned Vauxhall-Opel around so quickly? 

“We brought back management – it is now managed. It’s sad to see [Opel CEO] Michael Lohscheller so heavily criticised in his own country – I don’t like it. Opel has been in the red for 50 years, it makes a profit and he gets criticised. It’s not ethical.” 

Are you happy with the progress of DS Automobiles? 

“Yes. We’ve sold 40,000 DS 7s, and profitability per sale is sky-high. The only thing I am not happy with is the performance in China. But fit and finish is where we want it to be.” Tavares 1782b

Why have you been struggling in China? 

“The 50:50 joint-venture model doesn’t work – it produces slow decisions in a fast-moving market.” 

What are the prospects for diesel now? 

“Diesels are now 35% of European sales, down 8%. Germany is waking up to reasonable thinking, with less emotion. Rather than a dogmatic zero tolerance of diesels, Euro 6 can achieve an improvement by getting rid of old diesels and replacing them. That’s the pragmatic approach.”

Read more

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Analysis: how PSA boss Tavares transformed the car group

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Broen Lara 10 April 2019

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5wheels 9 April 2019

Latest new in Russia

FORD are closing down this month with the loss of over 600 jobs. Reason, who the heck is going to buy an expensive poor quality 10 year olf design without any kit at prices which do not reflect the competition and even worse a guarantee of 2 years !!! 

Maybe the death knell for Ford PSA would be a good partner - they have loads of rubbish already lol. If Ghosen wasnt in jail he would already be on the board and adding some filthy to his pockets and get For Nissan Renault and Mitsubishi under one banner.

 

Bye Bye FORD

Oh in case you are wondering what competion for the Focus

Hald a dozen Hyundai and Kia models

Skoda

and Lada ( dont laugh.. they are coming up strong with models like the new XRay)

Cheaper longer gtee 3 times as much kit and new designs, and better quality all round

xxxx 9 April 2019

How can he be happy with DS?

40k DS7's worldwide in nearly 18 months is not great for £28k+ car. Other than there's the failing DS4, DS5 that sell in the hundreds and the DS3 that's cheap and been around 9 years old. 

They should have made the DS brand electric from the ground up but they're haven't got the experience so they'll just convert old ICE models. Not the way to do it!

WallMeerkat 9 April 2019

xxxx wrote:

xxxx wrote:

40k DS7's worldwide in nearly 18 months is not great for £28k+ car. Other than there's the failing DS4, DS5 that sell in the hundreds and the DS3 that's cheap and been around 9 years old.

They no longer sell the DS4 or DS5.

They just now have the, as you say - 9 year old and aging, DS3, a DS3 SUV and the DS7 SUV. Not a particularly inspiring range.

xxxx 9 April 2019

WallMeerkat wrote:

WallMeerkat wrote:

xxxx wrote:

40k DS7's worldwide in nearly 18 months is not great for £28k+ car. Other than there's the failing DS4, DS5 that sell in the hundreds and the DS3 that's cheap and been around 9 years old.

They no longer sell the DS4 or DS5.

They just now have the, as you say - 9 year old and aging, DS3, a DS3 SUV and the DS7 SUV. Not a particularly inspiring range.

Still selling the DS4 and DS5 in mainland Europe at least. But like I said you can measure them in the hundreds 

typos1 9 April 2019

xxxx wrote:

xxxx wrote:

40k DS7's worldwide in nearly 18 months is not great for £28k+ car. Other than there's the failing DS4, DS5 that sell in the hundreds and the DS3 that's cheap and been around 9 years old. 

They should have made the DS brand electric from the ground up but they're haven't got the experience so they'll just convert old ICE models. Not the way to do it!

No, they simply just shouldnt have bothered creating the DS brand.