Factory in Kaluga
Since 2010, five models have been assembled here, two of which passed under the Peugeot flags (308 and 4007), two carried Citroen chevrons (C4 and S-Crosser), and another one had the Japanese name Mitsubishi and the international name Outlander-XL. The assembly was carried out in a large-knot way - it is also called the foreign abbreviation SKD or the understandable epithet "screwdriver". However, today, when the level of investments in the enterprise reached E550, 000, the plant began a new life. Instead of five models, only three will be registered on the conveyor - one from each of the brands: the aforementioned Peugeot 408, its half-brother Citroen-C4L and the new Outlander.
Factory in Kaluga
In the framework of the industrial assembly agreement signed between the alliance and the Ministry of Economic Development back in 2007, the entire trinity is required to achieve a significant level of component localization in the next few years - up to 75%. The first-born has already embarked on the thorny path of Russification: components for the 408th come not only from Kaluga, but also from Moscow, Tatarstan, Nizhny Novgorod, Vladimir, Samara and St. Petersburg. The "Japanese" will get on the conveyor no earlier than November - they are preparing a separate line for the Outlander. And the last, already at the beginning of 2013, Citroen will also join the warm company.
Factory in Kaluga
“We have launched the production of those models that meet the needs of the Russian market as much as possible,” it was said from the rostrum at the opening of the plant. But could it be otherwise? It seems only that a sweet couple of PSA, occupying now only 3% of the domestic market for new cars of foreign brands, have missed some time. Sedan "golf" -class of local assembly with a high degree of localization would be much more convenient 2-3 years ago. Today, “Pyzhu” together with the brother “Citro” will have to catch up.
But with “Outlander” everything seems to be clear: he has significant circulation and a big name in his asset, so the SUV will surely easily break off a decent part of the market pie.
Factory in Kaluga
How much are the pies?
So far, we are not particularly enthusiastic about the prospects for the 408th and C4L. In the market, sedans are now ruled by smaller and cheaper ones: the masses are more like Solaris with comrades. The only chance for the new French sedans is the competitive price and decent equipment. How much C4L will cost is not yet clear, but the price list for the 408th has already been announced. For 549, 000 rubles, you can order a four-door adapted to the Russian climate and roads with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine (110 hp) and manual gearbox. True, the starting accessory “Access” cannot be called sufficient: there are two pillows, ABS, a central lock, and air conditioning for an extra charge. About the same money will require a Focus sedan. For 542, 000 rubles, he has an electric drive for mirrors and front power windows, but a less powerful engine of 85 liters. with.
Factory in Kaluga
By the way
The prices were announced for the Outlander, which is true, of the Japanese assembly: the front-wheel drive crossover with a 150-horsepower 2-liter engine and CVT turned out to be even cheaper than the previous generation car in a comparable configuration - 969, 000 rubles. There is a possibility that, having hit the conveyor in Kaluga, the crossover may still become slightly cheaper.