PSA Kicks Off Shanghai Technical & Styling Center

Shanghai, November 18, 2008: (Gasgoo.com) PSA Peugeot Citroen group has recently put into operation its technical and styling center (TASC) in Shanghai. More than 20 newly recruited designers and stylers in the styling unit have started the research and development of several design projects, said xinhuanet.com today.

As part of PSA's first TASC center outside France, the PSA China styling center based in Shanghai is led by the general designer of Citroen C4 and is staffed by a team of over 20 designers, digital mold architects, auto mold stylers. Most of them are Chinese members with long experience in auto design and styling.

An executive of PSA China said that the French automaker's Shanghai TASC currently employs nearly 160 technicians, engineers and designers, and by 2010 the technical and engineering team will have more than 500 members, who will specialize in the design of vehicles and auto-parts.

PSA China aims to integrate the Chinese elements into the design and styling of its vehicles to better meet the demands of Chinese customers. PSA has set a mid-term sales target of 1 million units in China by 2015 with a 5 to 6 percent market share, helping it to be a major profitable market player in the world's second largest auto market.

Last year, sales of PSA's Chinese venture, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Co Ltd, rose 2.9 percent to 207,300 units, lagging far behind those of GM, Toyota and Volkswagen. Amid the financial crisis, the joint venture has lowered this year's sales target to 110,000 units from 175,000.

By teaming up with PSA's global engineering center and an existing local center run by its Chinese venture, the TASC establishment, part of the French car maker's CAP 2010 blueprint, will boost its engineering capability for faster expansion in China.

For more information please visit http://www.gasgoo.com