GENERAL MOTORS and PSA Peugeot Citroën have already agreed a deal to build the next-generation of Peugeot 508 and Citroën DS5 in Germany, alongside the Opel Insignia, according to reports in the German press.
The two companies agreed a partnership earlier this year with cost savings of more than €2 billion due to follow, and building all three cars in one factory could be a key move in making the mid-size saloon market profitable again for both companies.
However, there is no mention of the Citroën C5 in the reports, suggesting perhaps that the car will be replaced entirely by the next-generation DS5.
PSA Peugeot Citroën has so far dismissed the story as speculation. Opel is denying reports, meanwhile, that it is seeking to cut some 30 per cent of its German workforce to stem its losses.
MAZDA HAS unveiled its new Mazda6, delivering on the promises made by earlier concept cars. The car was officially launched at this week’s Moscow motor show, with Russia a key market for the brand and its new car.
The final production version boasts most of the sleek styling that caught the eye of motor show visitors in Japan and Frankfurt last year.
With a family look to the front grille and some sweeping lines shared with recently launched CX-5 crossover, the new car also features Mazda’s lower emission engines and lightweight engineering, all taglined by the firm as part of its “SkyActiv” technology drive.
Hiroshi Kajiyama, the new Mazda6 programme manager said: “We wanted to create a car that reacts and behaves exactly as you expect it to.” The new car will arrive in Ireland next year and a Mazda Ireland spokesperson said he is confident the diesel-powered versions will be even cleaner and more efficient than the economies already achieved by in the new CX-5.