Background - March 6, 2008
PSA are the parent company behind Peugeot and Citroen, two companies which focus on making lightweight small and medium sized cars. However like all manufacturers they can't stop themselves from pepping up their range with high powered sports versions that put out more than 25% more CO2 than other cars in the same range.
The boss of PSA, Christian Streiff is currently head of ACEA, the car industry trade association that is actively lobbying to weaken EU efforts to combat climate change. In recent years ACEA has worked to further the interests of German manufacturers in particular, calling for special treatment for heavier cars, slower introduction of emissions targets, lower fines for those who fail to meet them.
Streiff's determination to run down better regulation on behalf of the industry seems strange as Peugeot and Citroen both pride themselves on making responsible cars. To qualify as an 'Air Dream' (Citroen) or a 'Blue Lion' (Peugeot) a car must either emit less than 130g of CO2 per km when running on petrol, or less than 158g when running on biofuel, or include stop-start technology that turns off the engine when it's not needed. The cars also have to be 95% recyclable or reusable. Further proof that the industry can make a difference if it tries.
2006 European Performance
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Sales weighted CO2 average: 142g
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Share in carbon emissions: 11.96%*
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Share in vehicle sales: 13.44% - 1 929 000
* based on all new cars driving the same distance