Our reporters empty their notebooks to round up this week's gossip from across the automotive industry
This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news ofPeugeot's SUV pledge, no more GTS models from BMW M, demand for the Ford Mustang, and future rivals for the Audi Q2.
More SUV, less MPV, for Peugeot
Peugeot's new 3008 has been designed to be more SUV than MPV, and boss Maxime Picat has hinted that its PSA Group sister brand, Citroën, will focus more on MPVs than Peugeot.
“We are a group, with other brands, and in this situation the group strategy is to not have two brands in the same segment,” Picat said. “We have a strong Citroën C4 Picasso that is doing a great job as an MPV, so it is interesting to have another strategy for Peugeot.”
Read more: Peugeot 3008 revealed, Citroën C4 Picasso review
No more GTS for BMW M
BMW has no plans to develop another GTS model. M division CEO Frank van Meel revealed to Autocar that the firm was too busy developing affordable M models to focus on the lowestvolume high-end cars.
Read more: BMW M4 GTS review, BMW M3 review
Mustang demand
Ford UK boss Andy Barratt plans to keep Mustang availability around 500 units short of potential demand, which is currently running at 2500 cars annually in the UK. Barratt’s reasoning is that an ongoing mild shortage will ensure stronger residual values and a better ownership experience as a result.
Q2 to get more rivals
Audi expects other manufacturers to release rivals to its new Q2 SUV and wants to cement its position as a ‘pioneer’ in the premium compact crossover segment, according to UK product manager Chris Batty.
At its launch towards the end of this year, the Q2 will have no direct rivals in its niche area of the market, but Audi is predicting that it will eventually become a competitive segment and is keen to get a head start on rivals.
“We know our German rivals are going to be doing something similar pretty soon, so the Q2 is an important car,” said Batty.
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