PARIS — The primary collectively developed fashions for Stellantis’ three premium manufacturers — Alfa Romeo, DS and Lancia — might seem by 2024, because the newly created group seeks to break via within the worthwhile section.
Marion David, the product director at DS, stated this week that future fashions from the manufacturers would share widespread premium options together with drivetrains that might separate them from mainstream Stellantis manufacturers resembling Peugeot.
“We’re working with our Italian colleagues on particular premium modules, powertrains and options to distinguish the premium manufacturers from the mainstream manufacturers,” she stated Wednesday at a launch event for the DS 4 compact hatchback.
Beneath the Stellantis organization chart, Alfa Romeo, DS and Lancia are designated as premium manufacturers, with new Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato because the synergies coordinator for all three. Imparato was CEO of the Peugeot model at PSA Group.
David stated {that a} DS product plan introduced in 2017, through which one new mannequin could be launched yearly for six years till 2023, would stay in place. The DS 4 is the fourth mannequin within the cycle.
DS was initially a subbrand of Citroen however grew to become a stand-alone model in 2014, with excessive ambitions for Chinese language gross sales and manufacturing that fizzled out, though European gross sales have outpaced the market within the final two years.
“The automobiles which might be already a piece in progress will proceed and be launched,” she stated, “after which for the subsequent era we’re targeted on making the synergies which might be the explanation for the [Stellantis] merger.” These fashions will seem in 2024 or 2025, she stated.
She stated having three premium manufacturers in Stellantis, in contrast with one in PSA Group, would make it simpler to create a separation in market place above the mainstream manufacturers, as a result of widespread premium options might be shared throughout extra quantity.